Binodini Dasi |First Indian Theatre Actress to write Autobiography |Ardhek Akash

Binodini Dasi, also known as Noti Binodini was among the earliest theatre actresses of Bengal and the most famous one too. She was born to a woman of "ill repute" and started her acting career on stage when she was about 12 years to earn money. Although the youngest of all the actresses she soon got to play all the lead roles due to her acting prowess. Her immense talent coupled with her perseverance and a quest for perfection soon made her a favourite disciple of Girish Ghosh, the renowned dramatist-actor and her mentor. She quit the stage at the height of her successful short career of 12 years during which she essayed a variety of roles. She even played diverse roles on the same day - of the Vaishnavite Sri Chaitanya in one and a modern anti religious character in another satire. Her powerful performance in and as Chaitanya moved Sri Ramkrishna, the spiritual leader and his blessings showered on this "fallen woman" had a deep impact on her. The tale of her life is one of betrayals- both in her personal and professional life. She pours her heart out in the two books "Amar Katha" and "Amar Abhinetri Jiban" which she wrote many years after she left the stage. She also wrote several brilliant poems. However, in the hypocritical society she lived in, although she achieved fame and was sought after as an actress, she was ostracized being a woman of ill repute and was made to suffer in every way. Above all , her contribution to the Bengali theatre is immense as she laid the foundation of the first permanent proscenium theatre in Calcutta for the benefit of actors. She is believed to have died in 1941. Research and Presentation: Sudeshna Basu Camera: Sudeshna Basu Editing: Arun Mandal #history #women #womenempowerment #theatre #drama #stage #explore #actor #actress #19thcenturywomen #autobiography #calcutta #19thcentury #bengal #entertainment #culture #viralvideo #viral #explorepage #girishchandraghosh