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Recent Theatre History BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
RECENT HISTORY OF THEATRE IN BANGLADESH In Bangladesh the staging of plays, especially in the urban areas, began as a regular medium of performing art soon after the independence of the country in 1971. Before that, between 1947 and 1971, when the country used to be known as Pakistan, theatrical activities were sporadic and occasional. These were mostly one-off plays staged to mark special occasions attended by invited guests. During the British colonial days, however, presence of urban theatre was very strong. Centred around the city of Calcutta the movement created ripples in almost all district headquarters of undivided Bengal. At the partition in 1947, Calcutta became part of India, and East Pakistan (Bangladesh) was cut off from the theatre centre. However, with the independence of Bangladesh a new wave of enthusiasm was observed in almost all fields of art and culture. Starting in the capital city of Dhaka staging of plays on regular basis spread to many smaller towns of the country. The content of the plays reminiscent of most third world countries, remained political in most cases. Add to it, the fresh memory of a protracted battle that most theatre personalities fought, hands on, during the war of liberation in 1971. Even Shakespeare was viewed politically. The reason why "Macbeth" became a run-away success while "A Midsummer Night's Dream" did not. A lot of adapted or translated plays by playwrights like Brecht, Zuckmayer, Albee, Molnár, Anouilh, Beckett, Ibsen, Molière , Shakespeare, Chekhov, Dario Fo, Ariel Dorfman, Irwin Shaw, Wole Soyinka, Arthur Miller, Gogol and Girish Karnard were also performed with alacrity as were plays originally written in Bengali. Alongside urban theatre, in the rural areas of Bangladesh a strong tradition of folk theatre (Jatra) was present from a long time ago. The Jatra companies are fully professional touring companies traveling across the country, rendering their performances usually in village fairs, carnivals, exhibitions and the like. The content of these folk plays centres aroung mythology, history and also contemporary melodramas. Interspersed with song and dances these plays serve to entertain the common people. Recently, of course, Jatra is being forced to surrender its place to increasing number of cinema halls and video invasion in the rural areas. The urban theatre of Bangladesh has a very important and almost direct role to play in the socioeconomic milieu of the country. Strong social or political messages are disseminated during pre-democratic and anti-autocratic movements or movement against fundamentalism. Plays are also used to educate common people about issues related with health, education, population control and even agricultural inputs. Bengali classics are also performed from time to time. The plays of Rabindranath Tagore, the most prolific and gifted playwright of Bengali theatre have always been on stage. Major Tagore plays staged include Muktodhara, Achalayatan, Bisharjan, Raja, Rakto Karobi, Dak Ghar, Chiro Kumar Sabha and Dui Bone and Ghore Bairey, based on his novels. Recently a number of plays based on stories from Mahabharata with new interpretation are being staged. The main stream theatre in today's Bangladesh are the non-profit group theatres; the members of the groups are non-professionals as they cannot earn a living from theatre, but they do theatre with professional skill and attitude. |
(Ministères, organismes publics, associations professionnelles) Main organisations concerned with theatre (Ministries, organizations, unions, professional associations) BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariate, Dhaka 1000 |
| Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (Academy of Fine and Performing Arts), Segun Bagicha, Dhaka 1000 |
| Bangla Academy, Burdwan House, Dhaka 1000 |
| Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, 49/2 Siddheswari Circular Road, Dhaka 1217 |
| Sommilito Sangskritik Jote (Combined Cultural Alliance), 19/1 Kakrail, Dhaka 1000 |
| People's Theatre Association, Road 7B, House 59, Block H, Banani, Dhaka 1213 |
Main Theatres, Operas, Ballets, Danse etc. BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Nagorik Natya Sampradaya, 4, Nao Ratan Colony, New Bailey Road, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-9567669 - 0171-560782, Contact: Ataur Rahman and Aly Zaker (Artistic Directors) |
| Theatre, 144, New Bailey Road, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-9330986, Contact: Abdullah Al-Mamun (Artistic Director), Comments: Publishes a magazine: "Theatre" |
| Dhaka Theatre, 12/1 Kha, Purana Paltan Line, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8315357, Contact: Nasiruddin Yusuff (Artistic Director) |
| Aronyak, 47 Indira road, Farmgate, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8124262, Contact: Mamunur Rashid (Artistic Director) |
| Natya Chakra, Telereal, 50 Purana Paltan Line, Dhaka 1000, Contact: M. Hamid (Artistic Director) |
| Dhaka Padatik, Tutul Brothers 205 Elephant Road, Islam mansion 2d Floor, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Golam Kuddus (Artistic Director) |
| Loka Natya Dal, road 7B, HOUSE 59, Block H Banani, Dhaka 1213, Tel: 2-9890920, Contact: Liaquat Ali Lucky (Artistic Director) |
| Mahakal Natya Samprodaya, 37, Bangabandhu Avenue (1st Floor), Dhaka 1000 |
| Natyakendra, 128/Ka Magh Bazar, Elephant Road, Dhaka 1217, Contact: Tarik Anam Khan (Artistic Director) |
| Drishyapat, 55 Purana Paltan (1st Floor), Dhaka 1000, Contact: Nehal Ahmed (Artistic Director) |
| Theatre (Arambag), Guide House, 2 New bailey Road, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Keramat Mowla (Artistic Director) |
| Shubachan Natya Sangsad, 2/10 Humayun Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka 1207 |
| Desh Natok, 203 Malibagh, Dhaka 1217, Contact: Shamsul Alam Bakul (Artistic Director) |
| Prachyanat, 22 Dilu Road, New Eskaton, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Azad Abul Kalam (Artistic Director) |
| Shamoy Sangskritik Gosthi, Zaman Villa, 527/13 Nayatola Moghbazar, Dhaka 1217, Contact: Akhtaruzzaman (Artistic Director) |
| Nagorik Natyangan Ensamble, 10/C Asad Avenue, Mohammadpur, Dhaka 1207, Contact: Jamaluddin Hossan (Artistic Director) |
| Arindom Natya Samprodya, 60, High Level Road, Lalkhan Bazar, Chittagong Contact: Sisir Dutta (Artistic Director) |
| Ganayan Natya Samprodaya, 36, Ayesga Khatun Lane, Chandanpura, Chittagong |
| Tirjok Natya Dal, 492 Love Lane, Chittagong Contact: Ahmed Iqbal Haidar (Artistic Director) |
| Tirjak Natya Gosthi, 37, S. S. Khaled Road, Kazir Dewri, Chittagong Contact: Rabiul Alam (Artistic Director) |
| Kheyali Group Theatre, Asad Mansion (1st Floor), Sadar Road, Barisal Contact: Mintoo Bosu (Artistic Director) |
| Shabdabali, Lucas Building, Sadar Roa, Barisal Contact: Syed Dulal (Artistic Director) |
| Barisal Natok, Kalibari Road, Barisal Contact: Nikhil Sen (Artistic Director) |
| Bogra Theatre, Nabab Bari Road, Bogra Contact: Towfik Hasan Moina (Artistic Director) |
| Bodhon Theatre, 2/1 Ambika Charan Mukherjee Road, Thanapara, Kushtia Contact: Ali Afroze Pinu (Artistic Director) |
| Anusheelon Natydal, Department of Management, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi Contact: Malay Bhowmic (Artistic Director) |
| Sandhani Natya Chakra, Modhubarn Corner, 12 Madhubarn Market, Bandarbazar, Sylhet 3100 |
| Kathakali Prantic Milanayatan, Hospital Road, Sylhet 3100 |
| Sarathi Natya Samprodaya, Sat Raster More, Mahigonj, Rangpur |
| Padatik Natya Sangsad, The Daily Star, 19 Kawran Bazar, Dhaka Contact: Shamsul Huda ChowdhuryContact: (Artistic director) |
| Dhaka Nandanik, 27 Kalabangan, North Dhanmondi, Dhaka |
| Bahubachan, Care Taufiqur Rahman, ACI Ltd, 9 Motijheel CA, Dhaka 1000 |
| Udichi (Drama Section), 14/2, Topkhana Rd, Dhaka 1000 |
| Theatre Art Unit, 229/2 West Dhanmondi, Modhu Bazar, Dhaka |
| Theatre Art Drama Group, 83 Lake Circus, Kalabangan, Dhaka 1205, Contact: Azizus Samad (Artistic Director) |
| Natyajon, Sayeeda Villa, Plot 8, Road 2, Block C, Section 2, Mirpur, Dhaka 1216, Contact: Tabibul Islam (Artistic Director) |
| Shuniyom Natya Chakra, 19 Neeltuly, Mujib Road, Faridpur Contact: Amindur Rahman Farid (Artistic Director) |
| Baishakhi Natya Gosthi, Pashim Alipur, P.O. Ambikapur, Faridpur Contact: Muhammad Ali Rumi |
| Angon Theatre Unit, 18 Alkaran Lane, Chittagong |
| Samikoron Theatre, Care Roy Watch Service, 393 Sirajuddowla Road, Andarkilla, chittagong |
| Theatre Workshop, 126 Sheikh Mujib Road, Agrabad, Chittagong |
| Barnochora Natya Gosthi, care Lucky Decoration, Comilla Road, Chandpur 3600 |
| Jibon Sanket Natyagosthi, Town Hall Road, Habigonj 3300 |
| Khoai Theatre, Town Hall Road, Habigonj 3300 |
| Rajshahi Theatre, Alupatti, Rajshahi 6100 |
| Bogra Natyadal, Altafunnessa Park Road, Bogra 5800, Contact: Shymal Bhattacharjee (Artistic Director) |
| Bogra Natyagosthi, Motarry Ali Lane, Satmatha, Bogra 5800 |
| Padakshep, Rail gate, Dodown Road, Gaibandha |
| Pabna Theatre '77, College Road, Traffic More, Pabna |
| Tarun Samprodaya, Momtaz Cinema Hall, EB Road, Sirajgonj Contact: Asaduddin Poblu |
| Nabik Natyagosthi, Kalibari Road, Sirajgonj |
| Rangpur Natya Chakra, Town Hall Campus, Rangpur |
| Rangpur Natya Kendra, c/o Razzaq Murad, Telephone Office Bhaban, Rangpur |
| Biborton Jessore, Keshablak Sarak (Sangeet Para), Jessore 7400 |
| Ankur Natya Academy, Amontron Confectionery, HSS Road, Jhenaidaha |
| Theatre Circle, Care Bindu Art Publicity, Super Maker, Munshigonj 1500 |
| Shabdo Natyacharcha Kendro, 139/2 Kapashgola Road, Chawkbazar, Chittagong |
| Loka Natya Dal (TSC), Teacher Student Centre, Dhaka University, Dhaka Contact: Shameem Ahsan (Artistic Director) |
| Nandimukh, Royal Logistic Services, Al-Islam Chamber, 4th Floor, 91 Agrabad, C.A., Chittagong Contact: Abhijit Sengupta Comments: Publishes a magazine ‘Frontline Theatre' |
| Uttaradhikar, Anuska Medical Hall, Sugandha City Corporation Market,Sughanda R.A., Panchlaish, Chitaggong |
| Dhaka Theatre Mancha, 1163/A Khilgaon Chowdhurypara, Khilgaon, Dhaka |
| Natyadhara, C/O Aloke Basu, AdComm, House 7A, Road 41, Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212 |
| Kanthosheelon, C/O Golam Sarwar, 3/C, Jhigatola, 3rd Floor, Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1209 |
| Oikik Theatre, 12 Allama Iqbal Road, Narayanganj |
| Faridpur Theatre, C/O Kazi Aminul Islam Rumi, Ambika Sarak, Jhiltuly, Faridpur 7800 |
| Pratinidhi Natya Sampraday, Nandan-5, CDA C.A., Momin Road, Chittagong |
| Cox's Bazar Theatre, Rakshit Pustakalaya, Rakshit Market, Main Road, Cox's Bazar 4700 |
| Theatre Art, Cox's Bazar,, C/O Nazibul Islam,, Dainik Cox's Bazar, Public Library Market, Cox's Bazar 4700 |
| Zoom Aesthetic Council, Tridipnagar Sarak, Banarupa, Rangamati |
Main performing arts festivals BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| National Theatre Festival (Dhaka), Period: usually December / January, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Segunbagicha,, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8614673/6, Contact: Mr. S. M. Mohsin |
| National Street Theatre Festival (Dhaka), Period: February 1 7, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, 49/2, Siddeswari Circular Road, Dhaka 1217 |
| Group Theatre Utsab (Chittagong), Period: usually January / February, Group Theatre Forum, Shilpakala Academy, Mehdibag, Chittagong |
| Street Theatre Festival, Period: January, Bangladesh Patha Natok Parishad, Epic, Aziz, Super Market, Shahabagh,, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Mr. Mannan Hira |
| Children's Theatre Festival, Period: March, People's Theatre Association, Road 7B, House, 59, Block-H Banani, Dhaka 1213 |
| National Theatre Festival, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation and Bengal Foundation, 4 Nao Ratan Colony, New Bailey Road, Dhaka 1000, Period: February |
Main performing arts schools & university theatre departments BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Theatre School, 10 B Eskaton Garden Road, Dhaka 1000, Contact: National Professor : Kabir Chowdhury (Principal) |
| Prachyanat School of Acting & Design, 22 Dilu Road, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Azad Abul Kalam |
| Drama and Dramatic Department, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka Contact: Dr. Selim Al-Deen |
| Theatre Arts and Music Department, Dhaka University, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Ms. Rezwana Chowdhury Bonya (Chairperson) |
| Fine Arts Department, Chittagong University, Chittagong |
| Drama Department, Rajshani University, Rajshani |
(musées,bibliothèques etc.) Main performing arts resource centres (museums, libraries, research & documentation centres,specialist publishers & bookshops etc.) BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Sufia Kamal Central Public Library, Shahbag, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8626001 /8610422 |
| Biswa Sahitya Kendra, Mymensingh Road, Banglamotor, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-500471 |
| Bangladesh National Museum, Shahbag, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8619396-9 |
| Liberation War Museum, 5 Segunbagicha, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-9559091/2 |
| Bangla Academy, Burdwan House, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8619577 |
| Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Segunbagicha, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-9561709, 9562801-4 |
| National Library, Agargaon, Dhaka |
| Bangladesh National Film Archive, New Ganobhaban Complex, Dhaka |
| British Council, 5, Fuller Road, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-8618905-7 |
| Russian Cultural Centre, House 510, Road 7, Dhanmondi, Dhaka Tel: 2-9116314 |
| Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, House 26, Road 3, Dhanmondi Mirpur Road, Dhaka Tel: 2-8611557 |
| Goethe Institute, House 10, Road 9, Dhaka 1205, Tel: 2-9126525 |
| American Center USIS, House 110, Road 27, Banani, Dhaka 1213, Tel: 2- 8813440-4 |
| Varenda Research Museum, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi Tel: 721-2752 |
| Theatre Bank, Road 7B, House 59, Block H, Banani, Dhaka 1213, Contact: Liquat Ali Lucky |
| Theatre School Library, 144 New Bailey Road, Dhaka 1000, Contact: Kurshid Alam |
Main performing arts magazines BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Theatre, Frequency: 4 issues per year, Dhaka Chamber Building, 6th Floor, 65-66 Motijheel C. A., Dhaka 1000, Tel: 2-9562380, 7169918, Contact: Ramendu Majumdar, (Editor), Comments: Created: 1972. Circulation: 1200) |
| Theatrewalla, Frequency: 4 issues per year, 1/25 Razia Sultana Road, Dhaka 1207, Contact: Hasan Shahriar, (Editor), Comments: Created: 1998. Circulation: 500 |
| Dui Banglar Theatre, Frequency: 4 issues per year, Reza Cottage, Rahmannagar, Bogra 5800, Contact: Selim Reza Sentu, (Editor), Comments: Created: 1998. Circulation: 700 |
| Frontline theatre, Frequency: 4 issues per year, 19, Momin Road (2d Floor), Andarkilla, Chittagong Contact: Abhijit Sengupta (Editor), Comments: Created 2000, Circulation: 500 |
| Shudhu Natok, Frequency: 4 issues per year, 25/4 Engineering University Quarters, Bakshibazar, Dhaka Contact: Dr. Inamul Huq (Editor), Comments: Comments: Created 1995, Circulation: 500 |
Selected Bibliographic data - important references BANGLADESH updated Sat Oct 15 01:48:57 2005 |
| Madhyayuger Bangla Natya, ALDEEN, Selim (Dr.), Bangla Academy, Dhaka |
| Madhyayuger Bangla Natya, ALDEEN, Selim (Dr.), Bangla Academy, Dhaka |
| Bangla Natyakosh, ALDEEN, Selim (Dr.), Shiksha O Sanskreeti Charcha Kendra, Dhaka |
| Achinpakhy Infinity, Indigenous Theatre of Bangladesh, AHMED, Syed Jamil (Dr.), University Press Ltd., Dhaka |
| Bangladesher Natyacharca O Natoker Dhara, BISWAS, Sukumar (Dr.), Bangla Academy, Dhaka |
| Bangla Natok: Utsho O Dhara, IBRAHIM, Neelima (Dr.), Nowroz Kitabistan, Dhaka |
| Unish Shatake Bangladesher Theatre, MAMUN, Muntasir (Dr.), Suborna City |
| Unish Shatake Dhakar Theatre, MAMUN, Muntasir (Dr.), Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka |
| Samaj Sangskar Andolon O Bangla Natok, MURSHID, Gulam (Dr.), Bangla Academy, Dhaka |
| Bangladesher Natycharcha, MAJUMDAR, Ramendu (Editor), Muktadhara, Dhaka |
| Bangladesher Natycharchar Tin Dasak, MAJUMDAR, Ramendu (Editor), Anyaprakash, Dhaka |
| In Praise of Niranjan (Islam, Theatre and Bangladesh), AHMED Syed Jamil (Dr.), Pathak Samabesh, Dahka |
| Unnayan Nattya: Tattwa O Prayog, AHMED, Syed Jamil (Dr.), Samabesh, Dhaka |
| Banglard Loko Oitjhyo Lokonatyo, ASGAR Saikat (Editor), Bangla Academy, Dhaka |
| Bangladesh Natok, ROSY Aratika, Banga Academy, Dhaka |
| Bangladesh Natoke Nari, Purush o Samaj, AWWAL Sajedul, Ananto Prokashon, Dhaka |
| Natya Provanda Bichitra, RAHMAN, Ataur, Bangla Academy, Dhaka |
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