Why did National School of Drama screen a Bengali film's trailer?

KOLKATA: For a number of decades, Noti Binodini has been a scholarly focus at the National School of Drama (NSD). In the 1990s, a theatrical production was also mounted at NSD depicting one of Bengal's trailblazing female stage artistes. On Thursday, the film club of the students’ union of the prestigious theatre training institution, unparalleled in India, screened a trailer and a song of a Bengali cinematic portrayal of her life. The institute had also welcomed prospective proposals delving into fresh perspectives about her remarkable theatrical legacy.

Shantanu Bose, the dean of academic affairs at NSD, told TOI: “Noti Binodini had never gone out of interest. She, Girish Ghosh and that period of Bengal theatre was always a part of integral to scholarly discourse throughout India. It is nice to see contemporary popular cinema has developed an inclination towards her narrative and is producing films about the peripheral portrayal of women performers. We perceive this as an evolution from scholarly circles to mainstream consciousness.”

Director Ram Kamal Mukherjee said, “Before showcasing the trailer of ‘Binodiini: Ekti Natir Upakhyan’, the students requested to hear the synopsis. I perceived the students were trying to ascertain if we had done justice to the character they had been studying in academics. There was an extraordinary response following the event. We met NSD director Chittaranjan Tripathy. He guided us through the art gallery of the NSD. It was a splendid experience to present my film at a premise that discusses, breathes and advocates performing art.”

Rukmini Maitra, who portrayed the role of Binodini in the film, was equally moved. “Binodini Dasi's resilience, passion, and courage inspired me each day, and to witness her story resonate so profoundly with audiences and now secure a place at NSD feels like the ultimate reward.”

About a year ago, NSD alumnus Yashpal Sharma had approached the institute when he directed a film – ‘Dada Lakhmi’ – on a traditional performer. “We had screened that film because it was based on a traditional theatre artist. The Noti Binodini event should be seen as a continuation of the ‘Dada Lakshmi’ event. Such a screening is part of an activity of the film club of our students’ union,” Bose said. “We shall demonstrate keen interest if there emerges a new reading or fresh interpretation regarding her. Should there surface a previously undiscovered document or unseen archival material pertaining to her, we would pursue that avenue of research. Thus far, we have not encountered such materials. However, upon receiving any credible notification about such findings, we shall surely take interest in that,” Bose added.