Bapulal Nayak

Bapulal Nayak
Bapulal Nayak (left) with Jaishankar Bhojak 'Sundari' in a play Sneh-Sarita in 1915. They acted in several successful plays together.
Born
Narayan Bhabhaldas Nayak

(1879-03-25)25 March 1879
Gerita, Mehsana, Baroda State, British India
Died4 December 1947(1947-12-04) (aged 68)
Undhai near Mehsana, Baroda State, British India
Occupation(s)Stage actor, director, manager
Years active1890–1946
Parents
  • Bhabhaldas (father)
  • Narbhiben (mother)

Bapulal Nayak (25 March 1879 – 4 December 1947) was an Indian stage actor, director and manager of the early Gujarati theatre. Born into a family of traditional folk theatre performers, he joined the theatre company Mumbai Gujarati Natak Mandali at a young age. His acting was well received in his initial roles. He was involved in stage planning and managing and later became a partner in the company. He rose to fame and acted in several successful plays with Jaishankar Bhojak 'Sundari', who played female roles opposite him. He acted in plays written by Mulshankar Mulani, Gajendrashnakar Pandya and Nrisinh Vibhakar. He wrote and directed several plays and eventually bought the theatre company. After a career lasting five decades, he retired after his company suffered heavy loss with the advent of the cinema.