Naima Khan Upreti

Naima Khan Upreti was an Indian theatre actor, singer, and producer at Doordarshan. She was born on 25th May 1938 in Karkhana Bazar, Almora. Being the first woman active in the theatre scene in Uttarakhand, Naima gave global recognition to Rang Manch and the folk songs of Uttarakhand. She was married to Mohan Upreti, one of the pioneers in Indian theatre music, and they worked for the preservation and revitalization of Uttarakhand's folk music together. She attended Adam's Girls School before transferring to Ramsay Inter College School in Almora for her secondary education. She graduated from Agra University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature, political science, and economics.

She later earned a three-year acting diploma from the National School of Drama in 1969. Naima also spent some time working with the NSD Repertory Company. The Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, also awarded her a diploma. Naima started working as a producer in Doordarshan in 1973 and retired in 1996. She collaborated with Sharad Dutt Bio coming soon... >> Read More... on creating their first color television program while employed there. In addition, she was affiliated with All India Radio and participated actively as a member of the "Eastern Art Center".

As a member and eventually President of the Parvatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi, she contributed to the preservation of old Kumaoni ballads, songs, and folk traditions. Her joining the Lok Kalakar Sangh in 1995 resulted in many male and female artists joining who started presenting folk dances, songs, and group songs. Naima sang a Kumaoni song with her husband named “Bedu Pako Baro Masa,” which is still popular to date. She has participated in various theatrical productions and worked alongside many renowned figures in the theatre industry, such as M.K. Raina, Uttara Baokar Uttara Baokar is an Indian stage, television and f >> Read More... , Surekha Sikri  Surekha Sikri is known for her character as Kalya >> Read More... , and Ebrahim Alkazi.

She participated in several plays at the time, including Skandagupta, Natak Polampur Ka, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and Othello. Since the organization's founding in 1968, she has been connected to Parvatiya Kala Kendra and has taken part in several of their plays, including Rajula Malushahi, Ajuwa Baphaul, Rami, Ramlila, Indra Sabha, etc. Apart from this, Naima has also published a book named “Nagmati Rasm,” a compilation of Muslim wedding songs, and contributed to Natarang Pratishthan’s archives. She died on 15th June 2018 and was 80 years old.

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On 25 May 1938, Naima Khan Upreti was born in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. She did her schooling at Adams girl's school and her college at Ramsay Inter College School in Almora. Upreti did her bachelor's from Agra University in 1958. She also went to the National School of Drama in 1969 for a 3-year diploma in acting. Naima also worked with the NSD Repertory Company. She also had a Diploma from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

Naima Upreti worked with many personalities in theatre as Ebrahim Alkazi, Surekha Sikri, Uttara Baokar, M.K. Raina, and many others. She worked with Othello, The Caucasian chalk circle, Natak Polampur Ka, Skandagupta, and many others. After her husband Mohan Upreti's death in 1977, Naima took charge of Parvatiya Kala Kendra as its president. Naima worked with All India Radio. She worked in Doordarshan until her retirement. In 2010 Naima won a lifetime achievement award from the Natsamrat Theatre group. Naima Khan Upreti died on 15 June 2018 in Delhi at 80.