Lucknow is proud of Jugal Kishore who is all versed as an artist, director, poet and writer. Alumni of Lucknow University, he obtained diploma in dramatic arts with specialization in acting from Bhartendu Academy of Dramatic Arts. Actively associated with theatre from more than two decades first as student and later as teacher and activist, he has tried to bring traditional and often dying forms of folk theatre to the limelight. Over 25 years of experience of teaching theater in the country’s premier drama school he was also Chief of the Bhartendu Natya Akademi since 2008-2012.
He has acted in Hindi & Bhojpuri films like Dabang 2, Peepli Live, Babar, Coffee House, Mai Meri Patni aur Woh, Kafan, Hamka Aisan Waisan Na Samjha etc. and telefilms like Brahm Ka Swang, Parda, Wasiyat, Hal hona eik kathin samasya ka, etc. Responsible for the Hindi version of the of G.V. Iyer’s Sanskrit film Shrimad Bhagwad Gita. The film was awarded the Golden Lotus, the highest National award in 1993. He is awarded with Pride of Lucknow by Lions Club. He is also recently honoured with ‘Shri Sharad Chandra Vairagkar Sangkarmi Samman 2012’. Published Work for Electronic media : Inhe bhi apni Taah Samjhen: a feature on problem of deaf and dumb, Lucknow Rangmanch Kal Aaj Aur Kaal: a feature on the theatre history of Lucknow, Mrityu dand hi Kyon?: A feature on the validity of death punishment, Nai Pidhi ke Naye Chehre: A feature on the problem of youth, Lucknow ke Hastshilp – Chikan Art: A feature on the chikan art of Lucknow, Lucknow ke Hastshilp – Mitti ke Khilone: A feature on the terracotta toys and sculpture of Lucknow. This feature also looks into the problem of poor artisans. Documented the art of the Bhands (mimics patronized by the Nawabs of Awadh) and Pai Danda the martial art of the Bundelkhand region. Conducted theatre workshops for BNA, Manila Samakhya and Ramanand Saraswati Pustkalya. Conducted workshops for Sangeet Natak Akademi, Government of India on playwriting in Allahabad. Experimental production of Satyavakta Harish Chandra using traditional Nautanki artists with actors of the BNA repertory. He has presented various papers in national seminars on theatre and has been writing on theatre and art for newspapers and magazines. In the words of renowned theatre person Fritz Bennewitz, his art embraces the vitality of living folk theatre traditions and the delicacy and poetry of the classic.
As a director he has experimented in various folk forms including Nautanki and his selection of plays bring out themes of contemporary concerns of political, social or psychological aspects. Directed approximately 30 plays mainly on contemporary social and political issues which have been staged in various cities like Brahm ka Swang, based on a short story by Munshi Prem Chand, the play hit out at the hypocrisy in society, it has had more than 500 shows across the country; Ek Atankwadi ki Maut – an adaptation of Nobel-prize winner Dario Fo’s Accidental Death of an Anarchist; Tashon ka Desh – A musical adaptation of Ravindranath Tagore’s Tasher Desh; Caligula – An adaptation of Albert Camus’s play of the same name; Andher Nagari – Bhartendu Harish Chandra’s play hitting out at the corrupt political system; Khoja Nasiruddin – An adaptation of leonid Solove’s novel; Matia burj – Stage adaptation of the film script Roshoman by Akira Kurusawa; Tikram baaz (Bicchu) – An adaptation of Molier’s Les Fourberis de Scapin; Ali Baba – The legendary Arabian tale enacted by the BNA Repertory interpreting the thieves as a symbol of capitalism; Ala Afsar – Mudra Rakshas’s adaptation of Gogol’s Inspector General performed in nautanki syle; Satyavakta Harish Chandra – A popular story of a pious king performed in experimental style bringing together famous Hathrasi nautanki artist late Pandit Girijas Prasad Kama and professional actors from the BNA repertory; Makah chor – Rakesh’s experimental play depicting globalization’s onslaught on the traditional value system; Holi – Reflects the agitation of the student community on today’s system; Dafan Karo – An anti war play based on an adaptation of Irwin Shaw’s Bury the Dead; Raat – Exposing the state-sponsored Gujarat pogrom of 2002 and the trauma of the common man; Andhaar Yatra – A translation of G P Deshpande’s play of the same name, etc. As an actor he has acted in more than 30 plays which were critically acclaimed including Acted in the following major productions : Andher Nagari by Bhartendu Harish Chandra, Uribhaag by Bhas, Andha Yug by Dharamvir Bharti, Gufawasi (The Cave Dwellers) by William Saroyam, Julius Ceaser by William Shakespere, Tughlaq by Girish Karnad, Adhe Adhure by Mohan Rakesh, Garbo by Mahesh Elkunchwar, Raaz (Sleuth) by Anthony Shaffer, Trojan Women by Euripides, Vansansi Jirnani by Mahesh, Elkurchwar, Balkan’s Women, Antigone, etc.
Founder LUCKNOW Society is priviledge to meet the legend at Bhartendu Natya Academy itself and discuss the prospects of the theatre in Lucknow. LUCKNOW Society Salutes, Mr Jugal Kishore for being the icon in acting and direction. He has truly promoted Lucknow at all walks of life. He is also the true inspiration for the youths. We wish him all the very best for his career !