Bhawani Natyashala

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

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

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]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Quazi, Aabshar H (13 March 2019). "Jhalawar's century-old Parsi theatre getting a facelift". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d e 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.