Manohar Singh | |
|---|---|
 Singh in the playTughlaq | |
| Born | (1938-04-12)12 April 1938 |
| Died | 14 November 2002(2002-11-14) (aged 64) |
| Years active | 1971–2002 |
| Awards | 1982Sangeet Natak Akademi Award |
Manohar Singh (12 April 1938 – 14 November 2002) was an Indian theatre actor-director andcharacter actor inHindi films.[1][2] He is best known for his performances in films such asParty (1984) andDaddy (1989). Starting his acting career from theatre, he went on to become a theatre director and later the chief ofNational School of Drama Repertory Company, 1976 to 1988, before switching to cinema.[3] As a theatre actor his best known performances were inTughlaq, directed byEbrahim Alkazi;Himmat Mai andBegum Barve by Nissar andAmal Allana.[4]
He was awarded the 1982Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Acting (Hindi theatre) bySangeet Natak Akademi. In 2003, a photo exhibition on his work in theatre was organized at the Art Heritage gallery, Delhi chronicling his journey in theatre starting from his first playThe Caucasian Chalk Circle (1968), as a student at theNational School of Drama, to plays such asTughlaq,King Lear,Kaho Katha Khajuraho Ki,Himmat Mai (Mother Courage) andThe Threepenny Opera.[5]
He provides the voice-over in the annual Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra production "Ram". The audience can hear the commentary in his voice, providing structure and continuity to the narrative.
Born in 1938 in a very small village called Kwara nearShimla inHimachal Pradesh, Manohar Singh got his first job in the state government-run Drama Division. He graduated fromNational School of Drama (NSD) in 1971, and soon after started directing plays with NSD Repertory Company, starting withQatl Ki Hawas in 1971.[6] Later in 1976 he became the second chief of the NSD Repertory Company and remained so until 1988. He was awarded the 1982Sangeet Natak Akademi Award bySangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, dance and Drama.[7]
He is best known for his spectacular performance in the title role ofTughlaq, directed by his mentorEbrahim Alkazi, the founder of NSD. After quitting NSD in the late 80s, he got active in the Delhi theatre scene, doing some memorable plays such asPagla Raja (King Lear),Himmat Mai (Brecht'sMother Courage),Begum Barve andNagamandalam (Girish Karnad), with well-known theatre personalities, Amal and Nissar Allana.[4]
He had a long film and television career that started with the controversial film based on an emergency,Kissa Kursi Ka, that also starredShabana Azmi. He did Govind Nihalani'sParty, Mrinal Sen'sEk Din Achanak,Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin,Rudaali,Daddy and went to play many powerful roles in over 27 films, including some mainstream films such asChandni andLamhe withYash Chopra. His last film wasEverybody Says I'm Fine! in 2001.
He appeared in many successful serials on television includingNeena Gupta'sDard andPal Chhin.
He died oflung cancer on 14 November 2002, in New Delhi.[8][9]
In 2003, NSD instituted an award in his memory, titled Manohar Singh Smriti Puruskar, to be awarded to a young graduate (up to the age of 50) of the school.[10][11]
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