https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

He’s a Bureaucrat, an Artist and a Padma Shree Awardee

Mr. Daya Prakash Sinha is celebrated play writer and director. His work in the art & culture is commendable, and during his tenure as an IAS officer he made full use of his official powers to promote performing arts.
Indian Masterminds Stories

It takes immense amount of talent, hard work and determination to be an acclaimed artist and an efficient civil servant simultaneously. It is not everyone’s cup of tea. Thankfully, talents like Daya Prakash Sinha are a living proof that this seemingly impossible mix can be attainted.

The retired IAS officer Mr Sinha is also celebrated theatre artist, playwrite and director. While off the field his dramas have now gained place in the syllabus of several universities, his contribution in promoting the art & culture of India is also commendable. For his contribution in the field of art, Mr Sinha has been honoured with several awards including the fourth highest civilian award Padma Shree, Lohia Sahitya Samman, Sahitya Bhusan Samman and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Samman.

In an interview with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Sinha opened up about his interesting and non-conventional life journey.

Retired IAS officer, Mr. Sinha

Inspired by Prithvi theatre

Since very young age, Mr. Sinha had developed interest in theatre. The interest grew further when he completed his master’s degree and was preparing for the government service. Recalling those good old time, he said, “After completing the masters, I was only doing drama. I was happy and believed that this is going to be my life. Then one fine day, a small shop owner made me realise that pursuing theatre was all right but I should also do something to support it. I also felt that by getting a respectable job, there would be a change of status and I could support my passion”.

After this realization, Mr Sinha focused on cracking the UPSC. However, destiny has something else planned for him. His nose started bleeding during one of the paper, which affected his result. He could not crack UPSC but his preparation didn’t go waste and he joined PCS in 1952 and eventually got promoted to IAS.

When asked about the inspiration behind being a dramatist he said, “During my teenage, I saw various plays at Prithvi theatre. There were many things to learn from them. They always used to highlight the present scenario. I was inspired by their work and also learnt a model to develop a play”.

His love for theatre continued and within few years he debuted in playwriting. In year 1957, his first drama was published titled ‘SanjhSavere’.

Tragedy Make you Mature

In 1962 he got married with a theatre artist, which further fanned his passion for the theatre. He continued writing and doing theatre. Several of his dramas like Man Ke Bhanvar, Panchtantra, Dushman, Mere Bhai-Mere Dost, Itihas Chakra was published and performed on stages. He was content with his work as an administrator and his creative contribution.

Then in 1978 he was shook by the biggest tragedy of his life, when he lost his wife. “She was my biggest support who would enrich my creative caliber. We both were united with similar interests,” he said in an emotional tone.

The Officer in a seminar

Katha Ek Kans Ki

In all these years, Mr. Sinha has written and directed many plays. In fact, sever PhD students have written thesis on his plays. Several other groups also perform his plays in many states. His plays have also been translated in many languages. When asked about his favourite he said, “It’s difficult to choose between your own babies, but I would say ‘Katha Ek Kanski’ has a special place in my heart. Through the character of Kans I have tried to explore the mindset of a dictator. What plays in their mind and push them to become extra-ambitious. I call it the analysis of the phenomena of Dictatorship”.

Mr. Sinha being honored

Becoming the Cultural Administrator

Unlike many officers, Mr. Sinha was always happy in working in the department related to culture. It gelled with his love for the stage. During his tenure as an IAS officer, he served in many cultural postings. He served as the director, Bhopal Bhawan, Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy, Director (Indian Cultural Centre at Fizi) etc. But, his journey in cultural administration started when he joined Sahitya Kala Parishad, Delhi as the Secretary. Mr. Sinha said that on that position I really got chance to promote other artists and art & culture around our country.

Mr Sinh believes that much more has to be done in that regard. For one, as he puts it, the government should start by creating conditions to enable both the arts and the artists to grow and nurture.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Bank of India - BOI
Results: Bank of India Q2 Net Profit Up 7.6% to ₹2,554 Crore as Asset Quality Strengthens
IPS Puran Kumar Suicide Case
Postmortem Reveals Ruptured Organs in Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar’s Death; Chandigarh Court Orders Laptop Handover to SIT in Ongoing Suicide Case
retirement
Union Government Compulsorily Retires Senior Railway Engineer After UPSC Nod | Date of Birth Discrepancy Sparked Long Legal Battle
REC Limited
Result: REC Declares ₹4.60/Share as 2nd Interim Dividend After Highest-Ever H1 PAT of ₹8,877 Cr in FY26
Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited (MRVCL)
PESB Recommends Manish Pradhan as Director (Technical) of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited
CCL Mine Rescue Competition 2025
CCL Hosts 39th Zonal Mine Rescue Competition 2025 Showcasing Excellence in Mine Safety
SJVN_Director_Personnel_inaugurated_
SJVN Unveils ₹36 Lakh Development and Green Initiatives at NJHPS Project Area in Himachal Pradesh
IRAS
Who Is Shalini Darbari, IRAS Officer Appointed as Additional Member (Finance) in Indian Railways Board? | Western Railway’s PFA Elevated
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Ruchi Jat MPPSC
She Worked in Fields, Danced Ghoomar - Now She’ll Govern Districts: Ruchi Jat Cracks MPPSC 2024 with Rank 6, Becomes Deputy Collector
From a farmer's daughter in Pipalkhunta to securing 6th rank in MPPSC 2024, Ruchi Jat's inspiring journey...
VikramDeo Saryam MPPSC
He Couldn't Pay Engineering Fees, Now He’s a Deputy Collector: Meet Vikram Deo, Farmer’s Son Who Cracked MPPSC with Sheer Willpower
Vikram, a farmer’s son from Ramgovindpur, overcame financial hardships and years of setbacks to secure...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Bank of India - BOI
Results: Bank of India Q2 Net Profit Up 7.6% to ₹2,554 Crore as Asset Quality Strengthens
IPS Puran Kumar Suicide Case
Postmortem Reveals Ruptured Organs in Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar’s Death; Chandigarh Court Orders Laptop Handover to SIT in Ongoing Suicide Case
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT