Latest news with #RajinderNath
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rajinder Nath, who shaped city theatre scene, no more
New Delhi: Rajinder Nath, whose theatre group Abhiyan's decision to perform plays solely from Indian languages was seminal in shaping the city's theatre scene and whose 11-year stint as director of Shri Ram Centre for Arts and Culture was marked by the setting up of its repertory and its spartan basement theatre, passed away at his residence on Thursday. He was 90. "He wasn't doing well for the past three-four years. But his condition worsened in the last 10 days," Subhash Gupta, theatre director and long-time associate, told PTI. Vijay Tendulkar's Jaat Hi Poochho Sadhu Ki and Ghasiram Kotwal, G P Deshpande's Udhwastha Dharmashala (all from Marathi), Debashish Majumdar's Tamrapatra and Badal Sircar's Pagla Ghoda (both from Bengali) are among the most remembered plays he directed. He also helmed Mohan Rakesh's Drar (sic) as a teleplay. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Kulbhushan Kharbanda, T P Jain, Sudha Chopra were among the founder members of Abhiyan. "Rajinder Nath was among the founders of contemporary group theatre in the Hindi belt," said Arvind Gaur of Asmita Theatre. Others who worked with him include Om Puri, Ram Gopal Bajaj, S M Zaheer and Uttara Baokar. Tendulkar had once described Om Puri's performance in Ghasiram Kotwal as "the most perfect embodiment of Nana (saheb)," wrote Dilip Kumar Basu in a monograph on him. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Financial Support Plans for Disability Applicants Disability Benefit | Search Ads Learn More Undo Actor Sushma Seth said that Rajinder Nath would always give his actors an opportunity to provide their interpretation of a role first. "He would offer his own vision of the character, only if he disagreed with the interpretation," said Seth, who performed in Abhiyan productions such as Hanush, Bikhre Bimb and Ek Chadar Maili Si. Adds Gaur, "In his design of plays, the actor was always at the centre." His plays were appreciated for their austere honesty. Jaat ... .was performed every year from 1978-2004 with the original cast, Rajinder told Sansad TV in a 2019 interview. "Towards the end, hero Zaheer had lost hair. But we went ahead without a wig. When a good actor performs, the magic of theatre takes over," he said. Rajinder was born in Dalwal, in today's north Pakistan's Chakwal district. His earliest memory of acting was delivering a single line in a village Ram Lila. He quickly discovered that he loved acting. And even Partition didn't take it away. In his early college years, he was guided by legendary theatreperson Frank Thakurdas, whom he described as his "guru." "After my post-graduation in English from Kirorimal College, I got clarity that I wanted to teach and do theatre," he said in the same interview. Rajinder taught briefly there but served Rajdhani College as English lecturer from 1965-1994. Abhiyan was founded in 1967. Rajinder was director of Shri Ram Centre for Art and Culture from 1976 to 1981 and again from 1983-89. In 1980, he started the SRCPA repertory company and also its annual theatre festival. In 1977, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for direction. He also edited Theatre India, NSD's journal. It was a rich life, well lived.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Theatre director Rajinder Nath dies at 91
New Delhi, Rajinder Nath, veteran theatre artist and the first director of the Shri Ram Centre, passed away at his residence here on Thursday morning due to age-related ailments. He was 91. Theatre director Rajinder Nath dies at 91 "He was not doing well for the last three-four years, but the last 10 days his condition worsened. He died this morning at his home," Subhash Gupta, theatre director and long-time associate, told PTI. Nath is survived by his son and daughter. Born in August 1934 in Dalwal, now in Pakistan, Nath grew up to become a stalwart of theatre and led the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts as its first director from 1976-81 and again from 1983-89. He also founded Abhiyan Theatre Group in Delhi in 1967 to bring original Indian scripts that were never done in Hindi theatre previously. The group's direction was handed to Gupta in 2019. Gupta also condoled Nath's death in a post on Facebook. "My elder brother Rajinder Nath ji, who was like a father to me and with whom I shared a bond of the last 50 years, has departed from this world today. His contribution to the world of theatre and to Abhiyan will never be forgotten. He has left behind many memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. You will be remembered every moment, for the rest of my life," he wrote. Some of Nath's most notable productions included the Hindi translations of Vijay Tendulkar's "Ghashiram Kotwal", "Ashi Pakhare Yeti" , and "Pahije Jatiche" . He also adapted Badal Sircar's "Baaki Itihas", "Sari Rat", "Pagla Ghoda", and "Tiswin Sadi" for the stage. In 1980, Nath started the SRCPA repertory company and also the school's annual theatre festival. In 1977, he was given the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for direction. The Press Club of India expressed "profound grief" over the demise of the theatre veteran and one of its senior members. "A Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, he also headed the Shri Ram Centre for several years. We are sending healing prayers and comfort to his family members and friends during this tough time," it said in a post on X. Nath's last rites were performed at Lodhi crematorium. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Theatre director Rajinder Nath dies at 91
Agency: PTI New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Rajinder Nath, veteran theatre artist and the first director of the Shri Ram Centre, passed away at his residence here on Thursday morning due to age-related ailments. He was 91. 'He was not doing well for the last three-four years, but the last 10 days his condition worsened. He died this morning at his home," Subhash Gupta, theatre director and long-time associate, told PTI. Nath is survived by his son and daughter. Born in August 1934 in Dalwal, now in Pakistan, Nath grew up to become a stalwart of theatre and led the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts (SRCPA) as its first director from 1976-81 and again from 1983-89. He also founded Abhiyan Theatre Group in Delhi in 1967 to bring original Indian scripts that were never done in Hindi theatre previously. The group's direction was handed to Gupta in 2019. Gupta also condoled Nath's death in a post on Facebook. 'My elder brother Rajinder Nath ji, who was like a father to me and with whom I shared a bond of the last 50 years, has departed from this world today. His contribution to the world of theatre and to Abhiyan will never be forgotten. He has left behind many memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. You will be remembered every moment, for the rest of my life," he wrote. Some of Nath's most notable productions included the Hindi translations of Vijay Tendulkar's 'Ghashiram Kotwal", 'Ashi Pakhare Yeti" ('Panchhi Aise Aate Hain"), and 'Pahije Jatiche" ('Jat Hi Puchho Sadhu Ki"). He also adapted Badal Sircar's 'Baaki Itihas", 'Sari Rat", 'Pagla Ghoda", and 'Tiswin Sadi" for the stage. In 1980, Nath started the SRCPA repertory company and also the school's annual theatre festival. In 1977, he was given the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for direction. The Press Club of India expressed 'profound grief" over the demise of the theatre veteran and one of its senior members. 'A Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, he also headed the Shri Ram Centre (Mandi House) for several years. We are sending healing prayers and comfort to his family members and friends during this tough time," it said in a post on X. Nath's last rites were performed at Lodhi crematorium. PTI MAH MAH RB RB view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 15:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
