Bengali Theatre
Bengal has always been famous for its art and culture. Bengali theatre has made an immense contribution towards the popularity of the state's intellectual aura and its rich art and cultural lineage. Though the theatre art is being practiced in Bengal since 1770s, its contemporary form has the strings of origin attached with the Indian freedom struggle. Though it started as private entertainment in the early 19th century, it later served as a major tool in the Indian freedom struggle. The development of Bengali theatre actually took place for the purpose of being used as a tool of resentment and expression during British Raj.
Though the advent of TV and other faster means of mass communication have subdued the theatre culture, in terms of popularity, the art has not yet vanished from the arena of entertainment completely. Even today, there are numerous theatre groups in West Bengal, divided into Kolkata-based theatres and rural theatres. The only difference amongst these groups is funding and expertise. While Kolkata-based theaters are well funded and maintained, the rural theatres are gradually expiring from lack of amenities and funds. The latter, influenced by 'Jatras' - the age old regional Bengali Theatre. The most popular Bengali theaters are Star Theatre, Academy of Fine Arts, Rabindra Sadan, Nahabat and Girish Manch. These theaters, other than development and social awareness plays, also explore socio-political & financial awareness issues. Bengali Theatre has earned a respectable name for itself in the theatre and performing art fraternity. Many famous actors, like Uttpal Dutta and Jaya Bhaduri, have worked for it. Other people, whose contribution to Bengali theatre, can't be ignored are Girishchandra Ghosh, Rabi Roy, Sisir Bhaduri, Badal Sircar, Shobha Sen and Soumitra Chatterjee.
Though the advent of TV and other faster means of mass communication have subdued the theatre culture, in terms of popularity, the art has not yet vanished from the arena of entertainment completely. Even today, there are numerous theatre groups in West Bengal, divided into Kolkata-based theatres and rural theatres. The only difference amongst these groups is funding and expertise. While Kolkata-based theaters are well funded and maintained, the rural theatres are gradually expiring from lack of amenities and funds. The latter, influenced by 'Jatras' - the age old regional Bengali Theatre. The most popular Bengali theaters are Star Theatre, Academy of Fine Arts, Rabindra Sadan, Nahabat and Girish Manch. These theaters, other than development and social awareness plays, also explore socio-political & financial awareness issues. Bengali Theatre has earned a respectable name for itself in the theatre and performing art fraternity. Many famous actors, like Uttpal Dutta and Jaya Bhaduri, have worked for it. Other people, whose contribution to Bengali theatre, can't be ignored are Girishchandra Ghosh, Rabi Roy, Sisir Bhaduri, Badal Sircar, Shobha Sen and Soumitra Chatterjee.
THEATRE
The advent of Bengali theatre may be dated back to 1831, when Prasanna Kumar Thakur established the 'Hindu Rangamanch' at Calcutta and staged Wilson's English translation of Bhavabhuti's Sanskrit drama 'Uttar Ramacharitam'.
In the initial days, Bengali theatre was influenced to some extent by ‘Yatra’ (folk plays acted on open stage).
During the early years, themes related to the society, religion, traditions and customs formed the major part of the contents of the plays.
After that, patriotism, horror of Bengal famine, aftermath of both World War and trauma of partition and riots in the post-Independence era found emotive expressions in Bengali theatre.
Bengali theatre continued its journey through 'Kirtivilas' of Yogendra Chandra Gupta,'Bhadrarjuna' of Taracharan,'Kulin Kula Sarvaswa' of Ramanarayana Tarkaratna and'Neel Darpan' of Deenbandhu Mitra.
Social dramas of Girish Chandra Ghosh, historical dramas of D.L.Roy and artistic dramas of Rabindranath Tagore continued to reach up to the stage of realistic dramas and marked the beginning of the parallel theatre.
But it was Shombhu Mitra and Utpal Dutt who can be credited with having given Modern Bengali theatre a thrust and injecting new life into the existing traditions. They were the true inheritors of the great theatre tradition began by Sisir Kumar Bhaduri and Bijon Bhattacharya.
The famous actor and playwright Girishchandra Ghosh, one of the pioneers of Bengali theatre, in his plays "Siraj-ud-daula" and "Mirkashim" presented Muslim characters as patriotic nationalist leaders equally respected by Hindus and Muslims.
Another famous playwright and poet Dijendralal Roy, in his play "Mebar Patan" (The Fall of Mewar), set a bright example of Hindu-Muslim amity through the relation between Amar Singh, a Hindu prince and Mahabat Khan, a converted Muslim.
Ritwik Ghatak, the famous playwright and actor and film director wrote "Dalil" (The Deed) in 1951 wherein the people living in East and West Bengal feel sad and agitated because their motherland has been partitioned.
The famous playwright and actor Utpal Dutt wrote "Itihasher Kathgoray" (On the Derk of History) in 1965 wherein Dutt shows that communal disbelief and hatred generated by the outbreak of War between India and Pakistan gradually weaken and fade away
The legend, Shambhu Mitra and his immensely talented wife Tripti Mitra went on to notch many successful productions for Bohurupee, a group formed by them, including Dashchakra, Raktakarabi, Galilieo and Chand Baniker Pala. Today their equally talented daughter Saonli Mitra is carrying on the production for this group.
Bengal also had the likes of Ajitesh Bandopadhyay who founded Bohurupee and the greatBadal Sircar, whose plays like Evam Indrajit, continue to fascinate the Indian psyche. But that was Bengali theatre.
Even Hindi theatre flourished in Bengal under the likes of Shyamanad Jalan, PratibhaAgarwal and Usha Ganguli, Anamika, Padatik and Rangkarmee (of Rudra Prasad Sen Gupta) continue even today to provide thought provoking fare to the theatre-going public of Bengal.
They may not be titans but their contribution to the keeping alive the vibrant tradition of theatre in Bengal is worth accolades.
In the initial days, Bengali theatre was influenced to some extent by ‘Yatra’ (folk plays acted on open stage).
During the early years, themes related to the society, religion, traditions and customs formed the major part of the contents of the plays.
After that, patriotism, horror of Bengal famine, aftermath of both World War and trauma of partition and riots in the post-Independence era found emotive expressions in Bengali theatre.
Bengali theatre continued its journey through 'Kirtivilas' of Yogendra Chandra Gupta,'Bhadrarjuna' of Taracharan,'Kulin Kula Sarvaswa' of Ramanarayana Tarkaratna and'Neel Darpan' of Deenbandhu Mitra.
Social dramas of Girish Chandra Ghosh, historical dramas of D.L.Roy and artistic dramas of Rabindranath Tagore continued to reach up to the stage of realistic dramas and marked the beginning of the parallel theatre.
But it was Shombhu Mitra and Utpal Dutt who can be credited with having given Modern Bengali theatre a thrust and injecting new life into the existing traditions. They were the true inheritors of the great theatre tradition began by Sisir Kumar Bhaduri and Bijon Bhattacharya.
The famous actor and playwright Girishchandra Ghosh, one of the pioneers of Bengali theatre, in his plays "Siraj-ud-daula" and "Mirkashim" presented Muslim characters as patriotic nationalist leaders equally respected by Hindus and Muslims.
Another famous playwright and poet Dijendralal Roy, in his play "Mebar Patan" (The Fall of Mewar), set a bright example of Hindu-Muslim amity through the relation between Amar Singh, a Hindu prince and Mahabat Khan, a converted Muslim.
Ritwik Ghatak, the famous playwright and actor and film director wrote "Dalil" (The Deed) in 1951 wherein the people living in East and West Bengal feel sad and agitated because their motherland has been partitioned.
The famous playwright and actor Utpal Dutt wrote "Itihasher Kathgoray" (On the Derk of History) in 1965 wherein Dutt shows that communal disbelief and hatred generated by the outbreak of War between India and Pakistan gradually weaken and fade away
The legend, Shambhu Mitra and his immensely talented wife Tripti Mitra went on to notch many successful productions for Bohurupee, a group formed by them, including Dashchakra, Raktakarabi, Galilieo and Chand Baniker Pala. Today their equally talented daughter Saonli Mitra is carrying on the production for this group.
Bengal also had the likes of Ajitesh Bandopadhyay who founded Bohurupee and the greatBadal Sircar, whose plays like Evam Indrajit, continue to fascinate the Indian psyche. But that was Bengali theatre.
Even Hindi theatre flourished in Bengal under the likes of Shyamanad Jalan, PratibhaAgarwal and Usha Ganguli, Anamika, Padatik and Rangkarmee (of Rudra Prasad Sen Gupta) continue even today to provide thought provoking fare to the theatre-going public of Bengal.
They may not be titans but their contribution to the keeping alive the vibrant tradition of theatre in Bengal is worth accolades.
CINEMA AND THEATRE HALL IN KOLKATA
CINEMA HALL IN KOLKATA
Ahindra Mancha (Chetla)
Chetla,
Calcutta
Ph : 2479-7170
Alochaya Cinema (Beliaghata)
14B, Dr Suresh Ch Banerjee Road
Calcutta : 700 085
Ph : 2350-5059
Aruna Cinema (Sealdah)
40/2, M G Road
Calcutta : 700 009
Ph : 2350-9561
Ashoka Cinema (Behala)
Behala,
Calcutta
Ph : 2468-3630 / 2458-4079
Basusree Cinema (Bhowanipore)
102, S P Mukherjee Road
Calcutta : 700 026
Ph : 2455-4807
Bharati Cinema
32, S P Mukherjee Road
Calcutta : 700 025
Ph : 2455-5593
Chabighar Cinema (Sealdah)
10A, M G Road
Calcutta : 700 009
Ph : 350-2740
Chaplin Cinema
Chowringhee Place
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 2244-6563
Chaya Cinema (Maniktala)
122, A P C Road
Near Maniktala Crossing
Calcutta
Ph : 2350-1382
New Empire Cinema (Lindsay Street)
1 & 2 Humayun Place
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 2249-1051 / 2249-1052
Minar Cinema
136/2, Bidhan Sarani
Calcutta - 700 004
Ph : 2233-6753 / 24230
Metro Cinema
5, J L Nehru Road
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 228-0141 / 2
Menoka Cinema
5, Sarat Chatterjee Avenue
Calcutta : 700 029
Ph : 2466-0417
Malancha Cinema
63, N S C Bose Road
Calcutta : 700 040
Ph : 2465-8911
Lotus Cinema
106, S N Banerjee Road
Calcutta : 700 014
Ph : 2244-2664
Crown Cinema
82A, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road
Calcutta
Ph : 2244-4822
Elite Cinema (Esplanade)
136, S N Banerjee Road
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 2244-1383
Gem Cinema (Entally)
159/8, A J C Bose Road
Entally, Calcutta : 700 014
Ph : 2244-9828
Globe Cinema
7E, Lindsay Street
Calcutta : 700 016
Ph : 249-6665
Hind Cinema
G C Avenue
Calcutta
Ph : 27-2473
Jamuna Cinema
31/2B, Marquis Street
Calcutta : 700 016
Ph : 2244-3715
Jyoti Cinema
32/1, Lenin Sarani
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 244-1132
Light House Cinema (Esplanade)
2, Humayun Place
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 2249-1299 / 1051
Orient Cinema
Bentinck Street
Calcutta
Ph : 248-1917
Paradise Cinema
Bentick Street
Calcutta
Ph : 2248-5442
Prachi Cinema (Sealdah)
124, Lower Circular Road
Calcutta : 700 014
Ph : 2246-1282
Priya Cinema
95, Rash Behari Avenue
Calcutta : 700 029
Ph : 2464-1313
Roxy Cinema
44, Chowringhee Place
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 2228-4138
NP Shipping Times (C R Avenue)
19/1, Lower Chitpur Road, 1stFloor
Calcutta : 700 073
Ph : 27-4591 / 26-9027
Navina Cinema
19, Prince Anwar ShahRoad
Calcutta : 700 045
Ph : 2473-3091
Nandan Cinema
111A, A J C Bose Road
Calcutta:700 020
Ph : 2223-1210 / 1777
Bijali Cinema
6/1, Russa Road
Calcutta : 700 025
Ph : 2455-5382
Auro Cinema (Dum Dum Cant)
Gora Bazar Dum Dum
Calcutta
Ph : 2551-4717
Ujjala Cinema
Bhowanipore
Calcutta : 700 026
Ph : 2455-4686
Ahindra Mancha (Chetla)
Chetla,
Calcutta
Ph : 2479-7170
Alochaya Cinema (Beliaghata)
14B, Dr Suresh Ch Banerjee Road
Calcutta : 700 085
Ph : 2350-5059
Aruna Cinema (Sealdah)
40/2, M G Road
Calcutta : 700 009
Ph : 2350-9561
Ashoka Cinema (Behala)
Behala,
Calcutta
Ph : 2468-3630 / 2458-4079
Basusree Cinema (Bhowanipore)
102, S P Mukherjee Road
Calcutta : 700 026
Ph : 2455-4807
Bharati Cinema
32, S P Mukherjee Road
Calcutta : 700 025
Ph : 2455-5593
Chabighar Cinema (Sealdah)
10A, M G Road
Calcutta : 700 009
Ph : 350-2740
Chaplin Cinema
Chowringhee Place
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 2244-6563
Chaya Cinema (Maniktala)
122, A P C Road
Near Maniktala Crossing
Calcutta
Ph : 2350-1382
New Empire Cinema (Lindsay Street)
1 & 2 Humayun Place
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 2249-1051 / 2249-1052
Minar Cinema
136/2, Bidhan Sarani
Calcutta - 700 004
Ph : 2233-6753 / 24230
Metro Cinema
5, J L Nehru Road
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 228-0141 / 2
Menoka Cinema
5, Sarat Chatterjee Avenue
Calcutta : 700 029
Ph : 2466-0417
Malancha Cinema
63, N S C Bose Road
Calcutta : 700 040
Ph : 2465-8911
Lotus Cinema
106, S N Banerjee Road
Calcutta : 700 014
Ph : 2244-2664
Crown Cinema
82A, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road
Calcutta
Ph : 2244-4822
Elite Cinema (Esplanade)
136, S N Banerjee Road
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 2244-1383
Gem Cinema (Entally)
159/8, A J C Bose Road
Entally, Calcutta : 700 014
Ph : 2244-9828
Globe Cinema
7E, Lindsay Street
Calcutta : 700 016
Ph : 249-6665
Hind Cinema
G C Avenue
Calcutta
Ph : 27-2473
Jamuna Cinema
31/2B, Marquis Street
Calcutta : 700 016
Ph : 2244-3715
Jyoti Cinema
32/1, Lenin Sarani
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 244-1132
Light House Cinema (Esplanade)
2, Humayun Place
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 2249-1299 / 1051
Orient Cinema
Bentinck Street
Calcutta
Ph : 248-1917
Paradise Cinema
Bentick Street
Calcutta
Ph : 2248-5442
Prachi Cinema (Sealdah)
124, Lower Circular Road
Calcutta : 700 014
Ph : 2246-1282
Priya Cinema
95, Rash Behari Avenue
Calcutta : 700 029
Ph : 2464-1313
Roxy Cinema
44, Chowringhee Place
Calcutta : 700 013
Ph : 2228-4138
NP Shipping Times (C R Avenue)
19/1, Lower Chitpur Road, 1stFloor
Calcutta : 700 073
Ph : 27-4591 / 26-9027
Navina Cinema
19, Prince Anwar ShahRoad
Calcutta : 700 045
Ph : 2473-3091
Nandan Cinema
111A, A J C Bose Road
Calcutta:700 020
Ph : 2223-1210 / 1777
Bijali Cinema
6/1, Russa Road
Calcutta : 700 025
Ph : 2455-5382
Auro Cinema (Dum Dum Cant)
Gora Bazar Dum Dum
Calcutta
Ph : 2551-4717
Ujjala Cinema
Bhowanipore
Calcutta : 700 026
Ph : 2455-4686
THEATRE HALL IN KOLKATA
BENGAL THEATRE (1873)
GREAT NATIONAL THEATRE (1873)
6, Beadon Street
BINA THEATRE (1877)
38, Mechua Bazaar Road
STAR THEATRE (1883)
NEW STAR THEATRE (1888)
75/3, Cornwallis Street
UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE MANCHA (1891)
7, Bankim Chatterjee Street.
MINERVA THEATRE (1893)
6/1, Beadon Street
CURZON THEATRE (1893)
91, Harrison Road
JUVENILE THEATRE (1848)
OPERA HOUSE, GRAND OPERA (1867)
HINDU THEATRE (1831)
SHYAM BAZAAR THEATRE (1835)
RADHAKANTA DEV'S RESIDENCE (1844)
ORIENTAL SEMINARY THEATRE (1853)
BELGACHIA NATYASHALA (1858)
BAGBAZAAR AMATEUR THEATRE (1868)/SHYAMBAZAAR NATYASAMAJ (1872)
NATIONAL THEATRE (1872)
HOELAR-PLACE THEATRE (1797) .
ATHENIAM THEATRE (1812)
CHOWRINGHEE THEATRE (1813)
TOWN HALL (1814)
KIDDERPORE THEATRE (1815)
DUM DUM THEATRE (1817)
BAITHAKKHANA THEATRE (1824)
SANS SONSCI (1839)
THE PLAY HOUSE (1753)
CALCUTTA THEATRE (1775) .
MRS. BRISTO'S PRIVATE THEATRE (1789)
BENGALI THEATRE (1795)
MADHUSUDAN MANCHA
UTTAM MANCHA
IMPERIAL THEATRE, MOONLIGHT THEATRE (1939)
30, Tarachand Dutta Street
KALIKA THEATRE (1944)
5, Sadananda Road
RAILWAY MANSION INSTITUTION (1910) /
NETAJI SUBHASH MANCHA (1975)
301/1, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road
QASIM BAZAR RAJBARI/BANGIYA NATYA SAMSAD (1950)
Acharja Prafulla Chandra Road
NEW EMPIRE
1, 2, Humayun Place
MUSLIM INSTITUTE HALL/GHALIB THEATRE
75/3, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road
CALCUTTA UNIVERSITY CENTENARY HALL (1957)
87, College Street
MAHAJATI SADAN (1958)
156, Chittaranjan Avenue
KASHI BISWANATH MANCHA (1963)
20/2C, Canal West Road
MUKTA ANGAN (1962)
123, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road
RABINDRA SADAN
A.J.C. Bose Road, Cathedral Road
PRATAP MEMORIAL HALL (1987)
84, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road.
KALA MANDIR
48, Shakespeare Sarani
ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (1970)
Cathedral Road
RAMMOHAN MANCHA (1974)
67, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road.
ABAN MAHAL (1974)
RANGANA (1974)
153/2A, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road.
TAPAN THEATRE (1976)
37-A, B Sadananda Road
SARKARINA (1976)
6, Raja Rajkrishna Street.
JOGESH MIME ACADEMY (1977)
SUJATA SADAN (1977)
SISHIR MANCHA (1978)
1/1, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road
AHINDRA MANCHA (1978).
BIJAN THEATRE (1979)
5A, Raja Rajkrishna Street
BASUDEB MANCHA (1979)
Bhabanath Sen Lane
JNAN MANCHA
11, Pretoria Street.
GORKY SADAN (1974)
3, Gorky Terrace
BIRLA ACADEMY
Southern Avenue
GIRISH MANCHA (1986)
76/1, Bagbazaar Street
BIRLA SABHAGHAR
19, Queen's Park.
ABAN MANCHA
RATHINDRA MANCHA
BENGAL THEATRE (1873)
GREAT NATIONAL THEATRE (1873)
6, Beadon Street
BINA THEATRE (1877)
38, Mechua Bazaar Road
STAR THEATRE (1883)
NEW STAR THEATRE (1888)
75/3, Cornwallis Street
UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE MANCHA (1891)
7, Bankim Chatterjee Street.
MINERVA THEATRE (1893)
6/1, Beadon Street
CURZON THEATRE (1893)
91, Harrison Road
JUVENILE THEATRE (1848)
OPERA HOUSE, GRAND OPERA (1867)
HINDU THEATRE (1831)
SHYAM BAZAAR THEATRE (1835)
RADHAKANTA DEV'S RESIDENCE (1844)
ORIENTAL SEMINARY THEATRE (1853)
BELGACHIA NATYASHALA (1858)
BAGBAZAAR AMATEUR THEATRE (1868)/SHYAMBAZAAR NATYASAMAJ (1872)
NATIONAL THEATRE (1872)
HOELAR-PLACE THEATRE (1797) .
ATHENIAM THEATRE (1812)
CHOWRINGHEE THEATRE (1813)
TOWN HALL (1814)
KIDDERPORE THEATRE (1815)
DUM DUM THEATRE (1817)
BAITHAKKHANA THEATRE (1824)
SANS SONSCI (1839)
THE PLAY HOUSE (1753)
CALCUTTA THEATRE (1775) .
MRS. BRISTO'S PRIVATE THEATRE (1789)
BENGALI THEATRE (1795)
MADHUSUDAN MANCHA
UTTAM MANCHA
IMPERIAL THEATRE, MOONLIGHT THEATRE (1939)
30, Tarachand Dutta Street
KALIKA THEATRE (1944)
5, Sadananda Road
RAILWAY MANSION INSTITUTION (1910) /
NETAJI SUBHASH MANCHA (1975)
301/1, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road
QASIM BAZAR RAJBARI/BANGIYA NATYA SAMSAD (1950)
Acharja Prafulla Chandra Road
NEW EMPIRE
1, 2, Humayun Place
MUSLIM INSTITUTE HALL/GHALIB THEATRE
75/3, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road
CALCUTTA UNIVERSITY CENTENARY HALL (1957)
87, College Street
MAHAJATI SADAN (1958)
156, Chittaranjan Avenue
KASHI BISWANATH MANCHA (1963)
20/2C, Canal West Road
MUKTA ANGAN (1962)
123, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road
RABINDRA SADAN
A.J.C. Bose Road, Cathedral Road
PRATAP MEMORIAL HALL (1987)
84, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road.
KALA MANDIR
48, Shakespeare Sarani
ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS (1970)
Cathedral Road
RAMMOHAN MANCHA (1974)
67, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road.
ABAN MAHAL (1974)
RANGANA (1974)
153/2A, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road.
TAPAN THEATRE (1976)
37-A, B Sadananda Road
SARKARINA (1976)
6, Raja Rajkrishna Street.
JOGESH MIME ACADEMY (1977)
SUJATA SADAN (1977)
SISHIR MANCHA (1978)
1/1, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road
AHINDRA MANCHA (1978).
BIJAN THEATRE (1979)
5A, Raja Rajkrishna Street
BASUDEB MANCHA (1979)
Bhabanath Sen Lane
JNAN MANCHA
11, Pretoria Street.
GORKY SADAN (1974)
3, Gorky Terrace
BIRLA ACADEMY
Southern Avenue
GIRISH MANCHA (1986)
76/1, Bagbazaar Street
BIRLA SABHAGHAR
19, Queen's Park.
ABAN MANCHA
RATHINDRA MANCHA
