Theatre legend Ebrahim Alkazi, 95, passed away on Tuesday. He died of a “massive heart attack” at Escorts Hospital in New Delhi, his son and theatre director Feisal Alkazi told indianexpress Alkazi, credited for revolutionising theatre in India.
He was an Indian theatre director and drama teacher. Alkazi was a strict disciplinarian who did hard research before producing a play, leading to significant progress in demographic design. His standards later became very influential. He also remained the Director of National School of Drama, New Delhi.
He mentored, among others, the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Pankaj Kapoor, Om Puri, Surekha Sikri and Rohini Hattangadi, all of whom went on to greater glory in cinema.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed sadness at Alkazi’s demise and said he would be remembered for his efforts to make theatre more popular and accessible across India.
Naseeruddin Shah told PTI: “Many like me owe our passion for theatre to this formidably knowledgeable man. His contribution to sophistication and polish in staging and imparting a sense of discipline to every aspect of theatre work is unequalled.”
President Ram Nath Kovind said his death leaves a void in the world of performing arts.
“Ebrahim Alkazi, doyen of Indian theatre, mentored and inspired generations of artists… A Padma Vibhushan recipient, his legacy will live on. My condolences to his family, students and art lovers,” the president said.
