Ram Gopal Bajaj life and biography

Ram Gopal Bajaj is a noted Indian theatre director, academician, and a Hindi film actor. He has also been a faculty member and a former director of National School of Drama, New Delhi (1995 - September 2001).

He has been awarded the Padma Shri in 2003 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 for his contribution to theatre.

Ram Gopal Bajaj was born on 5 March 1940 in Darbhanga. Later he moved to Delhi, and graduated from National School of Drama (NSD) in 1965. After that remained in the faculty of National School of Drama for many years and later became its Director (November 1995 -September 2001). During his tenure as the head of NSD he has been credited to have started two theatre festival, Bharat Rang Mahotsava (National Theatre Festival) and Jashn-e-Bachpan (National Children Theatre Festival).

Over the years he directed numerous plays with the National School of Drama, NSD Repertory Company, starting with Surya Ki Antim Kiran Se, Surya Ki Pehli Kiran Tak in 1974, Jai Shankar Prasad's Skand Gupta in 1977, followed by Quaid-E-Hayaat in 1989. His other noted production was Ashadh Ka Ek Din by Mohan Rakesh in 1992. He also remained the Chief of the National School of Drama, Repertory Company from 1988 to 1994.He also Translated Girish Karnad's Rakt Kalyan (Taledanda) in Hindi, first directed by Ebrahim Alkazi for National School of Drama rep., then by Arvind Gaur (1995) for Asmita Theater.
He has also been connected with the film industry for many years, first starting as an assistant director in art films like Utsav (1984) and Godhuli (1977). And later appearing in small character roles in films like, Masoom (1983), Mirch Masala (1985), closely followed by Chandni (1989). His most noted film role has been in Parzania and as the Guru, in Jackie Chan starrer, The Myth, both in 2005.

He is presently a member of the academic council of National School of Drama, New Delhi.

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