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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. 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.

Types

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.

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. 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.

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.

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

The late 19th- and early 20th-century theatres had their own Bengali music. 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. 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.

Notable people: West Bengal

Notable people: Bangladesh

Notable theatre groups: West Bengal

Bohurupee Kolkata, India
Bratyajon West Bengal, India
Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and its branches
Nandikar Kolkata, India
Chetana Kolkata, India
Swapnasandhani Kolkata, India
Sansriti Kolkata, India
Bengal Repertory
Sahil Nandi

References

^ 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.
Bhattacharjee, S.; Thomas, C. J. (2013). Society, Representation and Textuality: The Critical Interface. SAGE Publications. ISBN 978-81-321-0953-2. LCCN 2012044258.
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.
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.
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 19 December 2024.
"Katha-Karnabhar Play". 8th Theatre Olympics. National School of Drama. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
"Bengal Repertory | Samarthan". Samarthan. Retrieved 7 August 2018.