Bhawani Natyashala

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Bhawani Natyashala
General information
Location Jhalawar, Rajasthan
CountryIndia
Completed1921
Opened16 July 1921
Design and construction
Architect(s)Thakur Umrao Singh
Main contractor Bhawani Singh

Bhawani Natyashala in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, India, was a public theatre built by Maharaj Rana of Jhalawar, Sir Bhawani Singh. [1]

Contents

History

Maharaj Rana of Jhalawar, Bhawani Singh, had a deep interest in various subjects and was particularly focused on promoting Western knowledge and culture within his state. [2] He frequently visited the Western world, [2] and in 1921 he built a theater modeled after the opera houses he had seen abroad, [3] [4] naming it Bhawani Natyashala after himself. [5] [6] It was designed and constructed under the orders and guidance of Bhawani Singh by Thakur Umrao Singh, [6] Home and Military Member of the Jhalawar State Council. [7] It was formally opened on 16 July 1921. [8] It was known for its performances ranging from Shakespeare's plays [2] to Shakuntala dramas. [9]

Charles Doran

Charles Doran, an Irish actor, came to India in 1931 to become the director of Shakespeare's plays at the Bhawani Natyashala. [6] [10]

Building and architecture

Its architectural style is a mix of Indian and European design. [6] It was fitted with a remarkable acoustic system. [11] It features special seating and a large stage capable of accommodating numerous performers, as well as elephants and horses. [4] [6] [12]

Restoration

Department of Archaeology & Museums, Rajasthan, commenced repair, restoration, and facelifting works of Bhawani Natyashala in September 2018 at a cost of ₹5,00,00,000. [1] The project was completed in 2021, the year Bhawani Natyashala celebrated its 100th anniversary. [1]

Plays

Bhawani Natyashala staged productions of various notable plays such as Abhigyan Shakuntalam, Rana Pratap, Bhul Bhulaiyya, Mahabharat, and Raja Harish Chandra until 1950. [1] However, very few plays were performed there after that. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Quazi, Aabshar H (13 March 2019). "Jhalawar's century-old Parsi theatre getting a facelift". Hindustan Times . Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "1930MNRAS..90..370. Page 370". adsabs.harvard.edu. Bibcode:1930MNRAS..90..370. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  3. ↑ g, eisha (7 August 2024). "5 Offbeat Places To Visit In Rajasthan For The Raksha Bandhan Long Weekend". Outlook Traveller. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Hadoti Tourism Development Society". www.kotatourism.in. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  5. ↑ Brown, Lindsay (Lindsay David); Lonely Planet Publications (Firm) (2011). Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra. Internet Archive. Footscray, Vic. ; London : Lonely Planet. p. 190. ISBN   978-1-74179-460-1.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 sudhagee (4 May 2017). "Bhawani Natyashala: The opera house at Jhalawar". My Favourite Things. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  7. ↑ Ācārya, Harirāma (2005). Sanskrit Natya : Prastuti Paksh (in Hindi). Javāhara Kalā Kendra evaṃ Grantha Vikāsa. p. 103. ISBN   978-81-88093-34-2.
  8. ↑ Ācārya, Harirāma (2005). Sanskrit Natya : Prastuti Paksh (in Hindi). Javāhara Kalā Kendra evaṃ Grantha Vikāsa. p. 103. ISBN   978-81-88093-34-2.
  9. ↑ McCulloch, Victoria (2013). Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra. Internet Archive. Bath : Footprint. p. 138. ISBN   978-1-909268-39-5.
  10. ↑ "shakespeare and the players | the players |CharlesDoran". 1 February 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  11. ↑ Crump, Vivien; Toh, Irene (1996). Rajasthan. Alfred A. Knopf, Incorporated. p. 287. ISBN   978-0-679-76591-2.
  12. ↑ Barrett, Matt (2004). Rajasthan. Internet Archive. Bath : Footprint. p. 181. ISBN   978-1-904777-23-6.
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