Sep 3, 2013

Bhanu Bharti : A life that epitomizes the quest of contemporary Hindi theater to seek new ground, reach new horizons

: ‘The Theatre of Bhanu Bharti’ released by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi Smt Sheila Dikshit at Delhi Secretariat : New book by writer Diwan Singh Bajeli traces the life of one of India’s most admired theater personalities : New Delhi, Sept 2, 2013:  Four decades spent in the pursuit of better stagecraft and a fresh language to express and depict on stage. Shri Bhanu Bharti’s life epitomizes Indian theater’s own search for an identity of its own through indigenous expressions and stories. A new book titled ‘The Theatre of Bhanu Bharti’ that traces the life, thoughts, philosophy and vision of the contemporary story adapter was released today by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi Smt Sheila Dikshit.



Written by Diwan Singh Bajeli, a writer and keen student of theater and films over the years, the book depicts Shri Bharti’s quest to find new meaning for Indian theater and a new language to express the cultural crisis of our times. One of the most eminent people in the theatre world of India today, Bhanu Bharti was born in Ajmer in 1947. After graduating from the National School of Drama in 1973, he set about his journey of tracing the roots of Indian art forms and to new experiments that emerged from this quest.  He has been given by numerous awards and honors including the Sangeet Natak Academy Award.

“Shri Bharti is one of the most respected figures in Indian theater today who through his interactions with indigenous art forms has tried to internalize their expressions into the art of Hindi theater. Through this book, I have tried to present a detailed, well aligned review of his stage productions, acting prowess, comprehension of stagecraft, application of the techniques and nuances drawn from world theatre at large in his illustrious career spanning four decades,” says Shri Bajeli.

The book portrays how his unending quest for an Indian theater idiom and a new theater language to express contemporary cultural crisis left him to the roots of Indian tribal theater and the realms of folklore and myth.

Shri Bharti who has helmed a series of much loved cultural events in the national capital is one of the most innovative directors of his time. And this tendency comes arguably from his interactions with various art forms like Japanese theater as well as his close coordination with the tribal performers of India. He has also spent a lot of time to study the life and ritualistic art of the Bheel tribe of Mewar region of Rajasthan.

“I feel as if I am on a never ending search for new metaphors and expressions and this quest is something that keeps me going. It is an honor to be written about by a very senior writer and critic who himself has been closely associated with the cultural life of the country. I am grateful to Smt Sheila Dikshit for having found time to help us unveil the book,” said Shri Bharti.

Over the years, Shri Bharti has occupied several prestigious positions in the field of dramatic art. He was Head of the Drama Department of Rajasthan University, Director of Shri Ram Centre for Art and Culture, Delhi and chairman of Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi. He directed the 50th Independence Day celebration in Delhi and brought the much appreciated Tughlaq and Andha Yug productions to Delhi. Shri Bajeli is an eminent theater critic who has written profusely about Indian theater and films  and has been closely associated with Sahitya Kala Parishad, Delhi. He is Vice President. Parvatiya Kala Kendra.

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