Alok Ulfat

Alok Ulfat is an Indian film and theatre practitioner, director, writer and philanthropist. He is the founder of Avikal Initiative for Life & Active learning, which includes Avikal theatre company (Avikal Rang Mandal), Alok Ulfat Workshops & Rang Himalaya, a festival celebrating diversity.^[1]

Early and personal life

Alok was born in Dehradun, the capital city of the state Uttarakhand to Prof. Lekh Raj Ulfat and Sadhana Ulfat.^[2] He has an elder sister, Kiran Goyal. His parents were active social workers & philanthropists. Alok completed his early education from 3 different schools; Nanhi Duniya, Dehradun, that was founded by his father; Michael Hall, UK & DAV school, Dehradun. He was a student of Economics, Geography, English & Geology & post graduated in English in American Literature from DBS & DAV college. He completed his teacher training & speech and drama from Emerson College, UK. He is married to actress Shruti Ulfat & the couple have a son, Ojasya.

Career

Alok’s passion for storytelling & environmental and social concerns led him to take to social work, theatre activism, Environmental awareness and the film industry. He is the ex faculty of National School of Drama (TIE) Delhi and has been associated with Film and Television Institute of India for 8 years. He is also credited for initiating & designing the student selection process at Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. He has acted, conducted workshops and taught in India and abroad including Canada, several parts of Europe and South East Asia. Under Brand Avikal, he regularly conducts various creative workshops including Alok Ulfat Centre for Performing Arts, Inside Out and Hold the Moment. Several of his students have excelled in their respective careers within the fields of Performing Arts, Direction, writing and music. Alok Ulfat's students are at present actors, directors, and musicians including Anand Gandhi ^[3](director of national award winning film Ship of Theseus), director Abhishek Dogra, actor Rajkumar Rao, Rajiv Kathpalia & Harshvardhan Kapoor,

Philanthropic initiatives

Alok's father, Prof. Lekh Raj Ulfat founded Nanhi Dunya 'The International Movement of Children and their Friends’ and his mother, Sadhana Ulfat co-founded various child and women welfare activities in the field of education and social welfare. The main aim of Nanhi Dunya at the time of its foundation was to contribute to a peaceful, sustainable and integrated world, where all living beings can live and grow in universal harmony. Alok is the Chief Education Coordinator and Trustee of Nanhi Dunya and is the mentor for the volunteer program. As a trustee of Nanhi Dunya, Alok also works in various capacities for the expansion of the movement.^[4]

References