ZFMOtis800669: Adding a pg and citations...

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{{Short description|Indian theatre artist (Born: 1985)}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Atul Satya Koushik
|image = File:Atul Wiki Profile 2.jpg
|birth_name = Atul Koushik
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1985|7|2}}
|birth_place = Delhi, India
|spouse = Latika Jain
|alma_mater = [[Shri Ram College of Commerce]], [[Institute of Chartered Accountants of India]], [[Faculty of Law]], [[University of Delhi]]
}}
{{Promotional|section|date=January 2022|type=self-promotion}}
'''Atul Satya Koushik''' is an [[Theatre of India|Indian theatre]] artist who works as a playwright, director, producer, and promoter.

Active for over a decade, he is known for creating large-scale stage productions featuring popular celebrities from [[Hindi cinema|Bollywood]], television, and theatre. His plays often include elaborate sets, period costumes, and large casts. Koushik is an advocate for commercial theatre in India, having produced numerous ticketed shows that have drawn full houses.

After being denied admission to premier drama and film institutes in India, he established his own theatre company in Delhi in 2009. He has since collaborated with various producers to create impactful stage productions. Koushik's career path is notable for being unconventional, as he chose to pursue theatre despite having a prestigious education in finance and law.

== Education and early career ==

Koushik completed his senior secondary education in Commerce at Mother's Global School, Preet Vihar. He then attended [[Shri Ram College of Commerce]] at the [[Delhi University|University of Delhi]], where he graduated with honors in Commerce. Following his undergraduate studies, he qualified as a [[Chartered accountant|Chartered Accountant]] and became a member of the [[Institute of Chartered Accountants of India]]. Additionally, he holds a law degree from the [[Faculty of Law, University of Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chartered Accountant by Profession|url=http://www.caclubindia.com/catalogue/atul_koushik.asp|website=CA Club India|publisher=Nikita Jain|accessdate=1 October 2014}}</ref>

In his early thirties, he had written over 20 full-length plays, including notable works such as ''Chakrayuh'', which marks [[Nitish Bharadwaj]]'s return as Krishna, and ''Legend of Ram'', featuring [[Arun Govil]] as Ram after three decades. Other plays include ''Ballygunge 1990'' with [[Anup Soni]], ''Raavan Ki Ramayan'' starring [[Puneet Issar]], ''Pajama Party'' with [[Kamya Panjabi]] and [[Kavita Kaushik]], ''Draupadi'' featuring [[Himani Shivpuri]] and [[Rakesh Bedi]], ''Wo Lahore'' with [[Avtar Gill]], ''Kahani Teri Meri'' with [[Kiran Kumar]], ''Saudagar'' (an Indian adaptation of Shakespeare’s ''[[The Merchant of Venice|Merchant of Venice]]''), ''Couple Trouble'' starring [[Kashmera Shah]], ''Dad's Girlfriend'', ''Bade Shahar Ke Log'', ''Kaali Shalwar Aur Khushiya'' based on stories by [[Saadat Hasan Manto]], ''[[Animal Farm]]'' by [[George Orwell]], ''Temporary Matter'', and several others. He has staged more than 1,000 performances of these plays, each distinct in content and treatment.

Koushik is part of a new generation of playwrights addressing the long-standing need for original Hindi plays in Indian theatre. With over 12 years of experience in the field, his involvement with theatre began in 2001. His notable contributions to original playwriting in India include ''Chakravyuh'', ''Raavan Ki Ramayan'', ''Draupadi'', ''Dad's Girlfriend'', and ''Wo Lahore''. Additionally, he has produced significant adaptations of classic Indian and international literature, such as ''Kahani Teri Meri'', ''Kaali Shalwar'', and ''Animal Farm''.

His plays inspired by mythology, such as ''Draupadi''<ref>{{Cite web|title = A play on Draupadis of the 21st century – The Times of India|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/theatre/A-play-on-Draupadis-of-the-21st-century/articleshow/49384764.cms|website = The Times of India|accessdate = 2 December 2015}}</ref> and ''Chakravyuh'',<ref>{{Cite news|title = Entrapped|url = http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/with-chakravyuh-atul-satya-koushik-expands-on-his-interpretation-of-the-story-of-abhimanyu/article6267867.ece|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 31 July 2014|access-date = 2 December 2015|issn = 0971-751X}}</ref> have received acclaim for their performances across various parts of India. Koushik was invited by [[Lok Sabha]] Speaker [[Sumitra Mahajan]] to perform ''Chakravyuh'' at the Rajya Sabha Auditorium for the Members of the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]].

Koushik's play ''Draupadi''<ref>{{Cite web|title = draupadi play directed by atul satya kaushik: किताबों की दुनिया: आज तक|url = http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/draupadi-play-directed-by-atul-satya-kaushik-1-808830.html|website = India Today|accessdate = 2 December 2015|language = hi}}</ref> explores how the lives of 21st-century women parallel the experiences of the Panchal princess from the [[Mahabharata]]. Utilizing the dramatic device of a play within a play, the production features 11 female actors who depict this juxtaposition. The narrative centers on a group of Haryanvi women who, in the absence of men, perform the banned play ''Draupadi'' and discover parallels between [[Draupadi]]'s life and their own. Veteran film and TV actor [[Rakesh Bedi]] also appears in this women-oriented production.

Koushik's play ''Wo Lahore'' portrays the internal conflicts of an ordinary Indian family against the backdrop of the freedom struggle and the societal impacts of the [[Partition of India|Partition]]. The play, which has been staged in over 10 cities including [[Lucknow]], [[Chandigarh]], Delhi, and [[Mumbai]], features TV actor [[Avtar Gill]] in a cameo role.

Koushik was recently awarded the Saluting The Entrepreneurs Award by the [[The Times Group|Times Group]] for his excellence in the field of art and theatre. He demonstrated his organizational skills by founding The Films and Theatre Society in 2009, which encourages young professionals from various fields to participate in its activities. The group is known for organizing an annual festival of literature, films, and theatre in Delhi. Koushik has successfully built an audience for his shows, which are consistently performed to full houses.

== Plays ==

{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Play
!Capacity
!Notes
|-
|2007
|''A Temporary Matter''
|Adaptation/Director/Producer
|Based on a story by Jhumpa Lahiri
|-
|2010
|''Koobar Aur Kaaki''
|Adaptation/Director/Producer
|Based on stories by [[Munshi Premchand]] and [[Dharamvir Bharati]]
|-
|2011
|''Arjun Ka Beta''
|Writer/Director/Producer
|Decoding the philosophy of Chakravyuh from 13th day of the battle of [[Mahabharata]]
|-
|2011
|''Jamuna''
|Writer/Director/Producer
|Story of a woman trying to keep her family intact in the highly volatile socio-political environment of undivided India of 1940s
|-
|2012
|''Living In''
|Writer/Producer
|Ghosts of a young woman's disturbing past challenge her present love life
|-
|2012
|''Bade Shahar Ke Log''
|Writer/Director/Producer
|Story of decaying morales of young aspiring writer in the fast-paced city of dreams, [[Mumbai]]
|-
|2012
|''Animal Farm''
|Adaptation/Director/Producer
|Based on the famous novel by George Orwell by the same name. A satire of modern democracy.
|-
|2012
|''Kaali Shalwar''
|Adaptation/Director/Producer
|Based on a story by Saadat Hasan Manto, exploring the dark corners of human desires.
|-
|2012
|''Saudagar''
|Adaptation/Director/Producer
|An adaptation of [[Merchant of Venice]], a tragic comedy by [[William Shakespeare]].
|-
|2013
|''Bal Bhagwan''
|Director/Producer
|Written by [[Swadesh Deepak]], the play is a hard hitting commentary on superstitions and how fatal can they be.
|-
|2013
|''Draupadi''
|Writer/Director/Producer
|All women from a family of traditional artists of [[Haryana]] decide to perform a banned play called [[Draupadi]] which was hitherto banned by the male folks of the family.
|-
|2014
|''Chakravyuh''
|Writer/Director/Producer
|One of Atul's most successful play, which was an elevated version of his old play "Arjun Ka Beta". Yogiraj [[Krishna]] decodes the mystery of [[Chakravyuh]] of life for all generation to come.
|-
|2014
|''Couple Trouble''
|Writer/Director/Producer
|An adaptation of a Marathi Play by C P Deshpande. Story of two couples seeking pleasure outside their marriages.
|-
|2015
|''Wo Lahore''
|Writer/Director/Producer
|A revamped version of Atul's old play "Jamuna'. Love story of a freedom fighter during the times when struggle for freedom was at its peak.
|-
|2015
|''Kahani Teri Meri ''
|Writer/Director/Producer
|A revamped version of Atul's old play "Koobar Aur Kaai". An amalgamation of stories by Munshi Premchand and Dharamvir Bharati
|-
|2016
|''Raavan Ki Ramayan''
|Writer/Director/Producer
|History's most revered villain [[Ravana|Raavan]] tells the whole [[Ramayana]] from his own perspective.
|-
|2017
|''Dad's Girlfriend''
|Writer/Director/Producer
|A love triangle with a difference where a middle aged man's young daughter and his young girlfriend fight for his love and attention.
|-
|2018
|''Lots of Love''
|Writer/Producer
|A bouquet of five funny love stories with a top up of stand up comedy and live music.
|-
|2018
|''Ballygunge 1990''
|Writer/Director/Co-Producer
|A gripping thriller full of vendetta but ultimately culminating as a compelling love story.
|-
|2019
|''Pajama Party''
|Writer/Director/Co-Producer
|Four young women in metropolitan city lead the fight against urban rapes in the most maverick manner.
|-
|2019
|''The Legend of Ram''
|Writer/Director/Co-Producer
|Journey of an ordinary man walking on the path of [[Dharma]] and [[Sikh Rehat Maryada|Maryada]] and eventually attaining the status of greatest God of human civilisation i.e. [[Rama|Ram]].<ref>{{Cite news|author=Dipanita Nath |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/revisiting-the-legend-arun-govil-ramayan-play-dussehra-6049415/ |title=Revisiting the legend |work=Indian Express |date=6 October 2019}}</ref>
|-
|2022
|''My Wife’s 8th Vachan''
|Writer/Director
|My Wife’s 8th Vachan is an eighty-five-minute comedy and family play inspired from marriages. The play is about the mystery called “marriage” that has deepened with each effort of solving it. This play, at most, is another ambitious (read failed) attempt at doing so.<ref>[https://veryfirsttale.in/my-wifes-8th-vachan-play-review-now-watch-a-hilarious-ride-of-laughter-and-reflection/ My Wife’s 8th Vachan Play Review] - VeryFirstTale - July 2023</ref>
|}

== Awards and achievements ==

Best Theatre Director Award in Indian Global Star Awards.

RAI Vasundhara Ratna Award for his contribution in the field of theatre and art to be given in November 2017 by Respect Age International.

Times Entrepreneurship Award in the field of theatre by Times Group in 2016.

Best Performing Arts Promoter Award for his contribution in Indian Theatre by Abhinaya Rangmanch, Hissar in 2016.

Pioneer in Commercial Theatre Award by Artists' India in 2015.

Yuva Natya Nirdesak Puruskar by Sahitya Kala Parishad, Govt. of NCT of Delhi in 2013.

His play Ballygunge 1990 was officially selected and staged at the prestigious [[Bharat Rang Mahotsav]] organised by [[National School of Drama]] in February, 2020.

His plays have been performed at various prestigious festivals and venues, including the Jaipur Rang Mahotsav, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Bhartendu Natya Uysav, Yuva Satya Utsav, Parliament House Auditorium, and the residence of veteran Indian politician [[L. K. Advani|Lal Krishna Advani]].

He is the only active playwright and theatre director in India who holds degrees in both Chartered Accountancy and Law.<ref>playwright</ref>

== Books and published works ==

His play [[Chakravyuh]] has been published by [[Times Group]] Books in the form of a book in the year 2016. Foreword of this book has been written by [[Lal Krishna Advani]]. His other plays including "Raavan Ki Ramayan" and "Draupadi" are also under publication and will soon be available.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*<ref>{{Cite news|title = A wrong carried through ages|url = http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/a-wrong-carried-through-ages/article5352070.ece|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 15 November 2013|access-date = 3 December 2015|issn = 0971-751X}}</ref>
*{{Cite web|title = The Films and Theatre Society to present a theatre festival at the Kamani auditorium in Delhi – The Times of India|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/theatre/The-Films-and-Theatre-Society-to-present-a-theatre-festival-at-the-Kamani-auditorium-in-Delhi/articleshow/45793699.cms|website = The Times of India|accessdate = 2 December 2015}}
*{{Cite web|title = Krishna now on stage – The Times of India|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Krishna-now-on-stage/articleshow/39034291.cms|website = The Times of India|accessdate = 2 December 2015}}
*{{Cite news|title = A kaleidoscope of colours|url = http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-kaleidoscope-of-colours/article4901690.ece|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 10 July 2013|access-date = 2 December 2015|issn = 0971-751X}}
*{{Cite web|title = The Films and Theatre Society presents RANG|url = http://newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2013/7/8/86-The-Films-and-Theatre-Society-presents-RANG.html|website = newstrackindia.com|accessdate = 2 December 2015}}
*{{Cite web|title = Celebrity presence on stage: Theatre's success secret? – The Times of India|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/theatre/Celebrity-presence-on-stage-Theatres-success-secret/articleshow/46050580.cms|website = The Times of India|accessdate = 2 December 2015}}
*http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/draupadi-play-directed-by-atul-satya-kaushik-1-808830.html
*{{Cite web|title = Nitish Bhardwaj returns as Lord Krishna in play|url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/nitish-bhardwaj-returns-as-lord-krishna-in-play/story-4fBzQvrKALy5IiNrDAGCPP.html|website = Hindustan Times|accessdate = 2 December 2015}}
*{{Cite web|title = Draupadi, Now and Then|url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Draupadi-Now-and-Then/2014/05/04/article2204083.ece|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140506210322/http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Draupadi-Now-and-Then/2014/05/04/article2204083.ece|url-status = dead|archive-date = 6 May 2014|website = The New Indian Express|accessdate = 2 December 2015}}
*{{Cite web|title = Post-Nirbhaya, Delhi theatre focuses on women-centric issues – The Times of India|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Post-Nirbhaya-Delhi-theatre-focuses-on-women-centric-issues/articleshow/37024838.cms|website = The Times of India|accessdate = 2 December 2015}}
*http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/theatre/A-play-on-Draupadis-of-the-21st-century/articleshow/49384764.cms
*{{Cite web|title = Atul Satya Koushik's 'Wo Lahore' and 'Draupadi' to be staged at Shri Ram Centre on April 25, 26|url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/theatre/Atul-Satya-Koushiks-Wo-Lahore-and-Draupadi-to-be-staged-at-Shri-Ram-Centre-on-April-25-26/articleshow/47040654.cms|website = The Times of India|accessdate = 2 December 2015}}

==External links==
*[https://www.facebook.com/AtulSatyaKoushik/ Facebook]
*[https://www.instagram.com/atulsatyakoushik/ Instagram]
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY7CFbZvVxKRBHiX8cphB7w/ YouTube]
*[https://www.linkedin.com/in/atul-satya-koushik-3840231a/ LinkedIn]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Koushik, Atul}}
[[Category:Delhi University alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian theatre directors]]
[[Category:Indian male dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Dramatists and playwrights from Delhi]]
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Shri Ram College of Commerce alumni]]

Atul Satya Koushik - Revision history

ZFMOtis800669: Adding a pg and citations...