Badal Sircar
Writing
Biography
Badal Sircar, also known as Badal Sarkar, was an influential Indian dramatist and theatre director, most known for his anti-establishment plays during the Naxalite movement in the 1970s and taking theatre out of the proscenium and into public arena, when he transformed his own theatre company, Shatabdi as a third theatre group . He wrote more than fifty plays of which Evam Indrajit, Basi Khabar, and Saari Raat are well known literary pieces. A pioneering figure in street theatre as well as in experimental and contemporary Bengali theatre with his egalitarian "Third Theatre", he prolifically wrote scripts for his Aanganmanch (courtyard stage) performances, and remains one of the most translated Indian playwrights. Though his early comedies were popular, it was his angst-ridden Evam Indrajit (And Indrajit) that became a landmark play in Indian theatre.Today, his rise as a prominent playwright in 1960s is seen as the coming of age of Modern Indian playwriting in Bengali, just as Vijay Tendulkar did it in Marathi, Mohan Rakesh in Hindi, and Girish Karnad in Kannada. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1968 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest honour in the performing arts by Govt. of India, in 1997.
Known For
A timeless Bengali classic, this drama explores the history of mankind - fights, riots, wars, death, destruction, exploitation, molestation. Through the story of 40-year-old Sitanath’s suicide, Sharad and Vasanthi force the audience to introspect and analyse their self-centred and monotonous lives.
Baaki Itihaas
Story of a couple on the second night of their wedding and how things unfurl in their lives.
All Night Long
Bhupati, the King of a sleepy town called Ballavpur, owns a huge but dilapidated royal palace and 7 acres of land. But Bhupathi, crippled by a huge debt, dreams of moving to Calcutta after selling his palace- once he gets rid of the ghost that haunts it.
Ballavpur Ki Roopkatha
The story of four men gathered to cremate an unknown girl, each with a personal reason in mind. While sharing a round of drinks after the cremation, their curiosity about the girl's origin piques, and the ensuing discussion reveals secrets hidden to the world.
Pagla Ghoda
The almost crumbling Rajbari of Ballabhpur only has two men living — the last descendant of Ray dynasty, Bhupati Ray, and his inherited menial, Manohar. Both the dwellers are overburdened with heavy debts and seek no hope of betterment until one day, Kolkata's soap King, Mr. Haldar, plans buying the property. Can Bhupati Ray and Manohar succeed in selling it?
Ballabhpurer Roopkotha
Based on acclaimed Indian playwright Badal Sarkar’s popular stage play ‘Baki Itihash’ is the story of a couple who independently scrutinize the reasons behind a suicide case after they read a news report on it.
Sohorer Upokotha
A documentary capturing Badal Sircar's revolutionary "Third Theatre" movement. It uses the political satire of his play to showcase theatre as a tool for social change. Filmed in public spaces, it blends performance footage with Sircar's narration, highlighting the need for collective action against oppression.