Film actors and directors remember theatre director immense contribution to the performance arts and how he became an institution. By Team Viva
Ebrahim Alkazi was like the Banyan tree of theatre. His branches (students) stood and spoke like him but he was the one who upheld everyone,” said singer-actor Ila Arun while talking about the late theatre director. Alkazi, who was considered the father of the modern Indian theatre, was 94 when he passed away on Tuesday.
Arun added, “It was under his supervision I worked in KK Raina’s Peer Ghani. For me, it’s a personal loss. Ever since I worked with him, he has been a guru. I have always connected with him. His teachings have stayed with me. The one thing about him is that no theatre connoisseur or student can learn without his examples. His experiences will be ever-important. He changed the face of Indian theatre and even today, actors and directors continue to follow his ideas. Be it stage craft, direction, expressions or body language, he has no comparison. It’s because of him we have people like Anupam Kher, late Virendra Razdan, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratan Thiyam (Indian playwright) and many more. Aise teacher ab kabhi nahi milenge. It’s certainly the end of an era.”
Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan tweeted, “A beacon of Indian theatre art and mentor of many great actors, Mr Ebrahim Alkazi will be remembered for many generations. His love for theatre and the art is unmatched. My deepest condolences to the family and the NSD (National School of Drama) family.”
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui tweeted, “The true architect of the Modern Indian Theatre. The Doyen who possessed the extreme knowledge in all the aspects of art. The magician who nurtured many stalwarts of theatre. May your brightest spark from the heaven keeps us enlightening.”
Actor Anupam Kher called Alkazi his “acting guru,” and wrote, “My acting Guru Ebrahim Alkazi Saab passed away. The tallest man ever in our lives. He taught us not only about theatre, acting or dramas but also about life. He made us discover ourselves. He was our reference point for great acting. He will be missed. Om Shanti!!”
Director Anubhav Sinha, who, even though “never met him or crossed paths,” expressed sorrow and said, “I know so many artistes who are his devotees. Have seldom known any artistes that everyone barring none will have such wonderful things to say about him. What a loss for so many of my friends and also for the art of theatre.”
Interdisciplinary actor and filmmaker Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee said, “Ebrahim Alkazi was a true interdisciplinary artist. The visual grandeur in his theatre, his disintegration of themes and texts, his acumen of contemporary stagecraft are matchless. We have lost someone who stands for how theatre is today. A modern mind and a sensitive one.”
Alkazi was an avid art connoisseur and collector who founded the Art Heritage Gallery in New Delhi. He had staged more than 50 plays during his distinguished career and won the BBC Broadcasting Award in 1950.
Actor Kabir Bedi tweeted, “Mourning the passing of Ebrahim Alkazi, iconic giant of modern Indian theatre. I knew him from when he was the Director of the National School of Drama in Delhi in the1960s. He gave India a great theatre and created a new generation of actors and directors.”
Filmmaker Ranjan Ghosh, whose film, Ahaa Re, was recently selected and screened at the 20th edition (virtual) of New York Indian Film Festival, 2020, said, “Ebrahim Alkazi is a name that we revere not only in theatre but also in cinema. As the director of NSD for 15 years, he had taught the likes of Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Rohini Hattangadi, Surekha Sikri, Pankaj Kapoor and others. Imagine his contribution to the Indian cinema! He is the real father of modern Indian theatre. Alkazi’s theatre productions reflected the ambitions of an India then while also reaffirming its cultural identity. His stories originated in Indian history and mythology but were presented to international audiences too. Probably, his training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London could be behind this. He was a proponent of what we call the ‘intimate theatre,’ and wasn’t fond of massive audiences. Cases in point are Ashadh Ka Ek Din (Mohan Rakesh), Waiting for Godot and Oedipus Rex. At the same time, he had grandly presented Andha Yug (Dharamvir Bharti), and Tughlaq (Girish Karnad). He had also staged several Greek tragedies and also Shakespeare’s plays. He was indeed a colossus, a legend, an institution that strode like a lion on the stage of Indian theatre. He had led a worthy life, one that has enriched many.”
Theatre director, actor and founder of Akshara Theatre, Jalabala Vaidya, said, “Ebrahim Alkazi was a legend in the world of Indian theatre. He was one of a kind.”
Actor Rajit Kapur, a former graduate of NSD, said, “I never interacted with him but only knew the stories of his genius from theatre stalwarts. He was a theatre guru to many great actors of our time. It’s a huge loss for the theatre connoisseurs.”