Feisal Alkazi is educationist, theatre director, and activist. Over the past 40 years, his group, Ruchika, has directed over 200 plays in Hindi, English, and Urdu. Noor and A Quiet Desire, two plays written by him, were produced recently. He has also directed 30 films, and over 100 productions for schools all over India. He is actively involved in heritage education, initiating projects in Delhi, Jaipur, Srinagar, and Hyderabad each of which has culminated in a book. He has written over 20 books, including Rang BirangaRangmanch which has sold 50,000 copies. He is also a counsellor with Sanjivini, and in the field of disability.
Social Media Handle - Facebook - Feisal Alkazi
“I grew in a family where my parents were already in theatre. My father was a director, and my mother was also engaged in the theatre. At the time of my birth, my family was already in the field of theatre for a decade. My father had a flat in Colaba on the fifth floor without walls except for washrooms. That’s where he practices, and people have to get on six floors without a lift. My father headed NSD, Delhi and created a curriculum for them. The theatre has a long history starting in 320 BC. Different place, theatre artist performs live. Emotions are very strong. Certainly, it is hard to work on stage than in films as there are no retakes. Artists have to reach out to every audience from the first row to the last, and it’s a big challenge. We get an emotional compliment when the artist performs well. The theatre will never disappear. People have an emotional attachment to it. Reading a play has personal experience. Watching a play is sharing experience between audience and performer. We won’t get satisfaction by reading a play what you will get by experiencing or watching it. In the case of music or painting credibility of theatre, the artist is here and now. Not all places are meant for all people. The theatre will never disappear. People have an emotional attachment to it.”