M. K. Raina

Maharaj Krishen Raina (born 10 February 1948) popularly known as M. K. Raina, is one of India's most well-known theatre actors and directors. M. K. Raina graduated from National School of Drama in 1970 with the Best Actor award and since 1972, he has been freelance theater worker, film person and cultural activist, working all over India in many languages and with many traditional forms.

    M. K. Raina
    M. K. Raina, at IGNCA, Delhi
    Born
    Maharaj Krishna Raina

    (1948-02-10) 10 February 1948
    Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
    Other namesMK Raina
    Years active1969–present
    Children2
    AwardsSangeet Natak Akademi Award - Direction 1995

    Early life

    Maharaj Krishna Raina was born on 24th June 1948 Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.[1] Maharaj completed his college in Srinagar and then moved to NSD in Delhi on a state scholarship.[2] Raina, born into a Kashmiri Pandit family, comes from a family background of doctors and engineers. His father was a political activist this influenced Raina into social activism.[2]

    Career and work

    Theatre and drama

    After graduating from the National School of Drama in 1970, Raina commenced on his work in Indian parallel cinema 27 Down, in which he also plays the lead role of "Sanjay". He has produced over 150 plays in 12 languages.[2] His association with the rural and urban theater across the country has developed into a unique style, where both forms blend together and yet are rich with contemporary meaning and significance.

    As an actor, he has worked in more than a hundred plays. He has directed several memorable productions like Kabira Khada Bazar Mein, Karmawali, Pari Kukh, Kabhi Na Chooden Khet and The Mother, Bhanbhatt Ki Atmakatha, Godan, Muavze, Tum Saadat Hasan Manto Ho, Badshah Pather, Stay Yet A While, Baaki Itihaas, Hiroshima, Hatya Ek Aakar Ki, The Great Trial. His production encompass the works of Sanskrit classic plays, folk theater and classic international playwrights like Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekov, Lorca, Brecht. Andha Yug, which he directed, was performed in Berlin and the Festival of India in the USSR. He was a Fellow and also produced Jasma Odan at Hawaii University in 1986. Shri Raina has been a part of parallel and popular cinema as an acgtor. His films as actor include 27 Down, Satah Se Uthta Aadmi, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, Tamas, Titli, Genesis, Tarang, Ankur Maina aur Kabootar, Taare Zameen Par, Rab Ne Banadi Jodi, Aisha, Noor, Lakshya, Teen Aur Aadha, Exchange Offer (short). He has also acted in the acclaimed web series The Forgotten Army for Amazon Prime.

    He has been making documentary films for many years like Julley, Sacred Dances at Hemis Festival, Homi Bhabha, Bundelkhand Ki Shaadi, Raahi, Mann Faqeeri, Kaamil, etc.

    Cultural activist

    Besides being a practicing actor/director in theater and media, he is known also as a cultural activist. Raina believes that culture is a counterpoint to the violence and terrorism around us.[2]

    Academia

    He has been a visiting director at the National School of Drama, Hyderabad Central University, IIT (Hyderabad), IIT (Chattisgarh) among others.

    He was the Scholar in Residence at Jamia Milia Islamia. He was also Fellow at the Stanford University (USA).

    Awards

    He has received the Sanskriti Samman in 1980, the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award in 1981, Best Director of the year by West Bengal Government 1982 and the Best Director's award of Punjabi Akademi, Delhi in 1987.

    M. K. Raina received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1995 [3] and the Swarna Padak from the Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir in 1996 for his contribution to Indian Theater.

    He was also awarded one of India's highest theatre awards, the B. V. Karanth award for lifetime achievement in 2007.[4]

    The Delhi Government awarded him the Hindi Akademi Shikhar Samman in 18.

    Personal life

    Raina is married to a doctor and has two children, a son and a daughter.

    Filmography

    References
    1. Encyclopedia of Asian Theatre. Greenwood. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2007. RAINA, MAHARAJ KRISHNA (1 948-). Indian Hindi-language actor and director of stage and screen, born in Srinagar, Kashmir. He studied at New Delhi's National School of Drama, earning the school's best actor award at his 1970 graduation.
    2. Delhi, Metro Plus (15 April 2002). "'Slow trotter' going places ..." www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
    3. "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012.
    4. "Visiting artists, M.K. Raina". Stanford.com. October 2011. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
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