Background
Nayak was born in Ahmedabad in 1877 to Nayak family. Nayak moved to Bombay with his father.
director lyricist writer stage actor
Nayak was born in Ahmedabad in 1877 to Nayak family. Nayak moved to Bombay with his father.
He studied only four grades and two grades in Urdu.
He joined theatre at early age and later directed several plays including adaptations of plays of Shakespeare. He wrote plays and novels also. He lived in Mata ni Political in Kalupur area of the city.
In 1888, he joined Alfred Natak Mandali at the age of eleven.
After his successful role in Gamre ki Gori (Nymph of Village) and Bimare Bulbul, he went to Lucknow to study theatre under Bindadin Maharaj. He learned music there.
After his return, he directed Alladdin and played Laila himself whose success elevated him to post of Assistant Manager at the age of 15. He pioneered the adaptation of plays of Shakespeare in Urdu.
He adapted Khun-e-Nahak (Hamlet) and Bazum-e-Fani (Romeo and Juliet) for Alfred company.
He directed several plays of Urdu dramatist Agha Hashar Kashmiri including his adaptation of Shakespeare"s play, Murid-e-Shaque (A Winter"s Tale, 1899) and Shahid-e-Naaz (Measure for Measure). Following differences with, Cowasji Palanji Khatao of Alfred Company, he left it formed his own company. He produced Shakespeare"s Cymbeline in Urdu as Meetha Zahar.
He had a brief relationship with singer and dancer Gauhar Jaan whome he met around 1904-1905 in Bombay and together they wrote and composed several hit songs like Pardesi Saiyyan Nena Lagake Dukh De Gaye, Sar Par Gagar Dhar Kar, Dilenadaan Ko Hum Samjhate Jayenge, Aan Baan Jiya Mein Laagi.
He was working on his new production Zahari Saanp before he died on 18 July 1907 in Bombay following heart attack.