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{{Short description|none}}
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{{EngvarB|date=July 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2020}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{more citations needed|date= May 2010}}
{{more citations needed|date= May 2010}}
[[File:Nabanna Bengali theatre scene.png|thumb|A scene from ''[[Nabanna (drama)|Nabanna]]''.]]
{{More footnotes needed|date=July 2020}}
{{Culture of Bengal}}
{{Culture of Bengal}}
'''Bengali theatre''' primarily refers to theatre performed in the [[Bengali language]]. Bengali theatre is produced mainly in [[West Bengal]], and in [[Bangladesh]]. The term may also refer to some [[Hindi theatre]]s which are accepted by the Bengali people.
'''Bengali theatre''' primarily refers to theatre performed in the [[Bengali language]]. Bengali theatre is produced mainly in [[West Bengal]], and in [[Bangladesh]]. The term may also refer to some [[Hindi theatre]]s which are accepted by the Bengali people.
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There is another category of Bengali theatre called [[Jatra (Bengal)|Jatra]], which is run commercially in rural [[West Bengal]] and Bangladesh. This traditional Bengali theatre form is mostly performed by travelling troupes. The most prominent characteristics of Jatra are melodramatic contents and presentation, exaggerated expressions and movements, and an extensive use of traditional musical instruments. Jatra originally explored subjects concerning the tales of [[Radha-Krishna]]. But at present, it has been modernized to feature crisis through stories.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bhattacharjee |first1=S. |last2=Thomas |first2=C. J. |year=2013 |title=Society, Representation and Textuality: The Critical Interface |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZVC8kgEACAAJ |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-81-321-0953-2 |lccn=2012044258}}</ref> Many popular Bengali film artists participate in Jatra.
There is another category of Bengali theatre called [[Jatra (Bengal)|Jatra]], which is run commercially in rural [[West Bengal]] and Bangladesh. This traditional Bengali theatre form is mostly performed by travelling troupes. The most prominent characteristics of Jatra are melodramatic contents and presentation, exaggerated expressions and movements, and an extensive use of traditional musical instruments. Jatra originally explored subjects concerning the tales of [[Radha-Krishna]]. But at present, it has been modernized to feature crisis through stories.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bhattacharjee |first1=S. |last2=Thomas |first2=C. J. |year=2013 |title=Society, Representation and Textuality: The Critical Interface |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZVC8kgEACAAJ |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-81-321-0953-2 |lccn=2012044258}}</ref> Many popular Bengali film artists participate in Jatra.


[[Hindi theatre]]s which are accepted by the Bengali people include the productions of ''[[Rangakarmee]]'' (established 1976) directed by [[Usha Ganguly]], and productions by ''[[Padatik (Indian theatre group)|Padatik]]'' (established 1972) under [[Shyamanand Jalan]], who started with ''Anamika'' in 1955.<ref>{{cite book |last=Dharwadker |first=Aparna Bhargava |date=2005 |title=Theatres of Independence: Drama, Theory, and Urban Performance in India Since 1947 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mLQaz-12Eo8C&pg=PA401 |publisher=University of Iowa Press |page=440 |isbn=0-87745-961-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ahuja |first=Chaman |date=29 October 1997 |title=Calcutta,home to Hindi Theatre |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/advertise.nsf/%28docid%29/70B426B140A9AA74652569420029534A |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725211658/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/advertise.nsf/%28docid%29/70B426B140A9AA74652569420029534A |archive-date=25 July 2011 |via=Centre for the Study of Culture and Society Media Archive |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
[[Hindi theatre]]s which are accepted by the Bengali people include the productions of ''[[Rangakarmee]]'' (established 1976) directed by [[Usha Ganguly]], and productions by ''[[Padatik (Indian theatre group)|Padatik]]'' (established 1972) under [[Shyamanand Jalan]], who started with ''Anamika'' in 1955.<ref>{{cite book |last=Dharwadker |first=Aparna Bhargava |date=2005 |title=Theatres of Independence: Drama, Theory, and Urban Performance in India Since 1947 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mLQaz-12Eo8C&pg=PA401 |publisher=University of Iowa Press |page=440 |isbn=0-87745-961-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ahuja |first=Chaman |date=29 October 1997 |title=Calcutta,home to Hindi Theatre |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/advertise.nsf/%28docid%29/70B426B140A9AA74652569420029534A |newspaper=The Hindu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725211658/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/advertise.nsf/%28docid%29/70B426B140A9AA74652569420029534A |archive-date=25 July 2011 |via=Centre for the Study of Culture and Society Media Archive |url-status=dead}}</ref>


Following the [[independence of Pakistan]] in 1947, religion-based nationalism was strong and affected the theatre in eastern Bengal. In [[East Pakistan]] (modern-day Bangladesh), playwrights emerged such as Ibrahim Khan (1894-1978), Ibrahim Khalil (b. 1916), Akbar ad-Din (1895-1978) and others. These playwrights would create plays related to the Islamic history of [[the subcontinent]] and Middle East, glorifying past Muslim rulers as well as the history of the [[Pakistan Movement]].<ref>{{cite Banglapedia|article=Theatre|author=Zillur Rahman John}}</ref>
Following the [[independence of Pakistan]] in 1947, religion-based nationalism was strong and affected the theatre in eastern Bengal. In [[East Pakistan]] (modern-day Bangladesh), playwrights emerged such as Ibrahim Khan (1894–1978), Ibrahim Khalil (b. 1916), Akbar ad-Din (1895–1978) and others. These playwrights would create plays related to the Islamic history of [[the subcontinent]] and Middle East, glorifying past Muslim rulers as well as the history of the [[Pakistan Movement]].<ref>{{cite Banglapedia |article=Theatre |author=Zillur Rahman John}}</ref>

[[Natyaguru]] [[Nurul Momen]] was the pioneer by breaking away from these dramas glorifying Islam & moved to Bengali Nationalism. He believed that, Bengalis are Bengalis first, then next comes his religion. He was the trailblazer & doyen of Bengali theatre's progressiveness & secular tradition. [[Natyaguru]] [[Nurul Momen]]'s maiden play "Rupantor" and 2nd play [[Nemesis (Momen play)]] ushered in the Bengali nationalism in Bengali theatre; which imbibed Bengali nationalism in the theatrical & cultural fields and eventually, that led to the independence of [[Bangladesh]].


==Music==
==Music==
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==Notable people: West Bengal==
==Notable people: West Bengal==
* [[Ajitesh Bandopadhyay]]
* [[Ajitesh Bandopadhyay]]
* [[Asit Bandopadhyay]]
* [[Sisir Bhaduri]]
* [[Sisir Bhaduri]]
* [[Ardhendu Sekhar Mustafi]]
* [[Ardhendu Sekhar Mustafi]]
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* [[Jyotirindranath Tagore]]
* [[Jyotirindranath Tagore]]
* [[Rabindranath Tagore]]
* [[Rabindranath Tagore]]
* [[Ramaprasad Banik]]
* [[Kaushik Sen]]
* [[Bratya Basu]]
* [[Bratya Basu]]
* [[Goutam Halder]]
* [[Goutam Halder]]
* [[Arun Mukherjee]]
* Arun Mukherjee
* [[Anirban Bhattacharya]]
* [[Anirban Bhattacharya]]
* [[Debesh Chattopadhyay]]
* [[Debesh Chattopadhyay]]


==Notable people: Bangladesh==
==Notable people: Bangladesh==
* [[Abdullah al Mamun (playwright)|Abdullah Al Mamun]]
⚫
* [[Natyaguru]] [[Nurul Momen]]
* [[Abdul Kader (actor)|Abdul Kader]]
* [[Munir Chowdhury]]
* [[Selim Al Deen]]
* [[Abul Hayat]]
* [[Abdullah Al Mamun]]
* [[Abul Khair (actor)|Abul Khair]]
* Abdullah Hel Mahmud
* [[Afsana Mimi]]
* [[Ahmed Rubel]]
* [[Aly Zaker]]
* [[Asaduzzaman Noor]]
* [[Asaduzzaman Noor]]
* [[ATM Shamsuzzaman]]
* [[Azizul Hakim]]
* [[Bijori Barkatullah]]
* [[Ejajul Islam]]
* [[Enamul Haque (actor)|Enamul Haque]]
* [[Ferdousi Mazumder]]
* Faiz Zahir
* [[Golam Mustafa]]
* [[Hridi Haq]]ue
* [[Humayun Faridi]]
* [[Jayanta Chattopadhyay]]
* [[Khairul Alam Sabuj]]
* [[KS Firoz]]
* [[Laila Hasan]]
* [[Litu Anam]]
* [[Lucky Enam]]
* [[Lutfun Nahar Lata]]
* [[Malay Bhowmick]]
* [[Mamunur Rashid]]
* [[Mamunur Rashid]]
* [[Aly Zaker]]
* [[Masud Ali Khan]]
* [[Momtazuddin Ahmed (dramatist)|Momtazuddin Ahmed]]
* [[Munier Choudhury]]
* [[Nasiruddin Yousuff]]
* [[Nazma Anwar]]
* [[Nazmul Huda Bachchu]]
⚫
* [[Natyaguru]] [[Nurul Momen]]
* [[Sara Zaker]]
* [[Saleh Ahmed (actor)|Saleh Ahmed]]
* [[Shabnam]]
* [[Shahiduzzaman Selim]]
* [[Shamima Nazneen]]
* [[Shanta Islam]]
* [[Sikandar Abu Zafar]]
* [[Selim Al Deen]]
* [[Subhash Dutta]]
* [[Suborna Mustafa]]
* [[Tamalika Karmakar]]
* [[Wahida Mollick Jolly]]


==Notable theatre groups: West Bengal==
==Notable theatre groups: West Bengal==
* [[Bohurupee]] Kolkata, India
* [[Bohurupee]] Kolkata, India
* [[Bratyajon]] West Bengal, India
* [[Bratyajon]] West Bengal, India
* [[Indian People's Theatre Association]] (IPTA) and its branches
* [[Indian People's Theatre Association]] (IPTA) and its branches
* [[Nandikar]] Kolkata, India
* [[Nandikar]] Kolkata, India
* [[Chetana (theatre group)|Chetana]] Kolkata, India
* [[Chetana (theatre group)|Chetana]] Kolkata, India
* [[Swapnasandhani]] Kolkata, India
* [[Swapnasandhani]] Kolkata, India
* [[Sansriti]] Kolkata, India
* [[Sansriti]] Kolkata, India
* Bengal Repertory<ref name="8ththeatreolympics">{{Cite web |url=http://8ththeatreolympics.nsd.gov.in/en/play-single.php?ids=174 |title=Katha-Karnabhar Play |website=8th Theatre Olympics |publisher=National School of Drama |access-date=2018-08-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://samarthan.in/ngo/bengal-repertory/ |title=Bengal Repertory {{!}} Samarthan |work=Samarthan |access-date=2018-08-07}}</ref>
* [[Bengal Repertory]]<ref name="8ththeatreolympics">{{Cite web |url=http://8ththeatreolympics.nsd.gov.in/en/play-single.php?ids=174 |title=Katha-Karnabhar Play |website=8th Theatre Olympics |publisher=National School of Drama |access-date=2018-08-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://samarthan.in/ngo/bengal-repertory/ |title=Bengal Repertory {{!}} Samarthan |work=Samarthan |access-date=2018-08-07}}</ref>
* [[Sahil Nandi]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
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* ''Bengali theatre'', by Kironmoy Raha. Published by National Book Trust, India, 1978.
* ''Bengali theatre'', by Kironmoy Raha. Published by National Book Trust, India, 1978.
* ''The story of the Calcutta theatres, 1753-1980'', by Sushil Kumar Mukherjee. Published by K.P. Bagchi, 1982.
* ''The story of the Calcutta theatres, 1753-1980'', by Sushil Kumar Mukherjee. Published by K.P. Bagchi, 1982.
* ''The Bengali Drama: Its Origin and Development'', by P. Guha-Thakurta. Published by Routledge, 2001. {{ISBN|0-415-24504-4}}. [https://books.google.com/books?id=PnIh1m-gHf8C&pg=PA46&dq=Bengali+theatre&lr=&as_brr=0#PPP1,M1 Excerpts]
* ''The Bengali Drama: Its Origin and Development'', by P. Guha-Thakurta. Published by Routledge, 2001. {{ISBN|0-415-24504-4}}. [https://books.google.com/books?id=PnIh1m-gHf8C&dq=Bengali+theatre&pg=PP1 Excerpts]


{{Bengali Theatre}}
{{Bengali Theatre}}
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[[Category:Bengali theatre| ]]
[[Category:Bengali theatre| ]]
[[Category:Culture of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Culture of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Theatre in India]]
[[Category:Theatre of India]]
[[Category:Theatre in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Theatre in Bangladesh]]

Latest revision as of 03:44, 17 August 2024

A scene from Nabanna.
Part of a series on the
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Bengali theatre primarily refers to theatre performed in the Bengali language. Bengali theatre is produced mainly in West Bengal, and in Bangladesh. The term may also refer to some Hindi theatres which are accepted by the Bengali people.

Bengali theatre has its origins in British rule. It began as private entertainment in the early 19th century.[1] In the pre-independence period, Bengali theatres played a pivotal role in manifesting dislike of the British Raj. After the independence of India in 1947, leftist movements in West Bengal used theatre as a tool for social awareness. This added some unique characteristics to the art form that still have strong effects. These groups differentiate themselves ideologically from commercial Bengali theatre.[citation needed]

Types

[edit]
Play Tohar Gaon Bhi Ek Din staged by Sreejansena group

The many theatres in West Bengal can be broadly divided into Kolkata-based theatres and rural theatres. Outside Bengali-speaking areas, the term "Bengali theatre" primarily refers to Kolkata-based groups, as the rural theatres are less well-known. The two types are similar in form and content, but the Kolkata-based theatres are better funded and staffed. This is mainly due to the influx of expertise from rural areas to Kolkata in search of a larger audience.[citation needed]

There are also Bengali folk theatres. There are many dialects of Bengali spoken in West Bengal and Bangladesh. The larger Bengali theatres use the dialect spoken in Kolkata, Bengali folk theatres have performances in some of the other Bengali dialects.

There is another category of Bengali theatre called Jatra, which is run commercially in rural West Bengal and Bangladesh. This traditional Bengali theatre form is mostly performed by travelling troupes. The most prominent characteristics of Jatra are melodramatic contents and presentation, exaggerated expressions and movements, and an extensive use of traditional musical instruments. Jatra originally explored subjects concerning the tales of Radha-Krishna. But at present, it has been modernized to feature crisis through stories.[2] Many popular Bengali film artists participate in Jatra.

Hindi theatres which are accepted by the Bengali people include the productions of Rangakarmee (established 1976) directed by Usha Ganguly, and productions by Padatik (established 1972) under Shyamanand Jalan, who started with Anamika in 1955.[3][4]

Following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, religion-based nationalism was strong and affected the theatre in eastern Bengal. In East Pakistan (modern-day Bangladesh), playwrights emerged such as Ibrahim Khan (1894–1978), Ibrahim Khalil (b. 1916), Akbar ad-Din (1895–1978) and others. These playwrights would create plays related to the Islamic history of the subcontinent and Middle East, glorifying past Muslim rulers as well as the history of the Pakistan Movement.[5]

Natyaguru Nurul Momen was the pioneer by breaking away from these dramas glorifying Islam & moved to Bengali Nationalism. He believed that, Bengalis are Bengalis first, then next comes his religion. He was the trailblazer & doyen of Bengali theatre's progressiveness & secular tradition. Natyaguru Nurul Momen's maiden play "Rupantor" and 2nd play Nemesis (Momen play) ushered in the Bengali nationalism in Bengali theatre; which imbibed Bengali nationalism in the theatrical & cultural fields and eventually, that led to the independence of Bangladesh.

Music

[edit]

The late 19th- and early 20th-century theatres had their own Bengali music.[1] This form was pioneered by Girish Chandra Ghosh; the era of Bengali theatre before him laid the groundwork, and after his death Bengali theatre music became more experimental.[1] During the era of Girish Chandra, all stage-plays included some form of traditional Bengali music, and dancer-singers who performed before and between the acts. Mythological plays would have Kirtan-anga songs, epics would include indigenous styles such as khyāmtā, and comedies and farcical plays often included tappā songs by Nidhu Babu.[1]

Notable people: West Bengal

[edit]

Notable people: Bangladesh

[edit]

Notable theatre groups: West Bengal

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Kundu, Pranay K. (1988). "Development of Stage and Theatre Music in Bengal". In Banerjee, Jayasri (ed.). The Music of Bengal. Baroda: Indian Musicological Society. OCLC 19624659.
  2. ^ Bhattacharjee, S.; Thomas, C. J. (2013). Society, Representation and Textuality: The Critical Interface. SAGE Publications. ISBN 978-81-321-0953-2. LCCN 2012044258.
  3. ^ Dharwadker, Aparna Bhargava (2005). Theatres of Independence: Drama, Theory, and Urban Performance in India Since 1947. University of Iowa Press. p. 440. ISBN 0-87745-961-4.
  4. ^ Ahuja, Chaman (29 October 1997). "Calcutta,home to Hindi Theatre". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011 – via Centre for the Study of Culture and Society Media Archive.
  5. ^ Zillur Rahman John (2012). "Theatre". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Katha-Karnabhar Play". 8th Theatre Olympics. National School of Drama. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Bengal Repertory | Samarthan". Samarthan. Retrieved 7 August 2018.

Further reading

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Theatre of West Bengal.
  • Bengali stage, 1795-1873, by Brajendra Nath Banerjee. Published by Ranjan Pub. House, 1943.
  • Bengali theatre, by Kironmoy Raha. Published by National Book Trust, India, 1978.
  • The story of the Calcutta theatres, 1753-1980, by Sushil Kumar Mukherjee. Published by K.P. Bagchi, 1982.
  • The Bengali Drama: Its Origin and Development, by P. Guha-Thakurta. Published by Routledge, 2001. ISBN 0-415-24504-4. Excerpts
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