iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Veteran actor and former BJP MP Paresh Rawal, on Thursday was appointed chairperson of the National School of Drama (NSD), India’s premier theatre institute that has trained actors such as Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Irrfan Khan.
The Delhi-based NSD said it is looking forward to his guidance.
“We are glad to inform Hon’ble President of India @rashtrapatibhvn has appointed renowned actor & Padma Shri @sirpareshrawal as chairman of @nds_india,” the tweet from the institute’s official Twitter handle read.
It added that it “welcomes the legend” who would guide the institute towards new heights.
Yes, it is confirmed that I have been appointed Chairman of NSD. I am very happy! I have been doing theatre for the past 48 years. I started doing plays and stage performances since 1972. So, I know the performance part as well as the structural part of it, the training, what it requires to prepare everyone in every aspect of theatre — the performing arts,” said Rawal to reports.
“It will be a great opportunity for me to share my knowledge and experience with the future generations. I am really looking forward to it. I am ready to take responsibility and face the challenges along with it. It is a happy day for me and I want to look forward to my new role. Thank you,” he added.
“Renowned artiste Paresh Rawal has been appointed as Chairman of National School of Drama by Rashtrapati Bhavan. I am glad that students and artistes will be able to take advantage of his talent. I congratulate him,” Union Culture Minister Prahlad Patel said on Twitter.
The post had been vacant since 2017.
“It will be challenging but fun. I will do my best because this is a field I know very well. I have practical experience of 48 years of doing theatre world over. I have some ideas. I will see that NSD ‘ka zyada se zyada naam roshan ho’ (NSD gets more name and fame),” the actor said.
The National Film award-winning actor, who started his journey in Gujarati theatre in 1972 and has been a part of plays such as “Vairee”, “Jooth Bole Kauva Kaate” and“Kishan v/s Kanhaiya”, said his vision is to reach out to more people through quality theatre.
“We must create new theatre spaces… They should be everywhere. It is important to take quality theatre forward and I want to work in that direction. I come from a theatre background so I understand the practical difficulties, which is an advantage,” he added.
Rawal, who had represented Ahmedabad East constituency in the Lok Sabha, has been appointed as NSD chief for four years, said Nitin Tripathi, advisor, media, Ministry of Culture.
