Bengali theatre

[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 is mainly due to the influx of expertise from rural areas to Kolkata in search of a larger audience.

There is another category of Bengali theatre called Jatra, which is run commercially in rural West Bengal and Bangladesh.

The most prominent characteristics of Jatra are melodramatic contents and presentation, exaggerated expressions and movements, and an extensive use of traditional musical instruments.

[5] Natyaguru Nurul Momen was the pioneer by breaking away from these dramas glorifying Islam & moved to Bengali Nationalism.

[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.