New Delhi, March 02, 2018: As a part of the ongoing 8th Theatre Olympics, the National School of Drama (NSD) today unveiled a volume of book ‘Bharatiya Rangkosh’ chronicling the history of Indian theatre.
Prof. Mohan Maharshi presided the event that was attended by Director, National School of Drama (NSD), Prof. Waman Kendre and Shri Mukesh Bhardwaj was the chief guest.
“Bhartiya Rangkosh holds a special place amongst all the books produced at the National School of Drama in the past. It is one of the most influential books and would make India proud in international theatre arena. If you wish to read about the history of Indian theatre then this book is the one-stop destination,” says Director, National School of Drama (NSD), Prof. Waman Kendre.
Bharatiya Rangkosh is a collection of historical facts about various theatre forms in India. The first two volumes were well-received as a reference book on Indic theatre with special emphasis on Hindi drama providing details such as author, director, translator of a particular theatrical production.
Hailing the efforts of author Ms. Pratibha Aggarwal, Prof. Kendre says, “Ms. Pratibha Aggarwal has worked relentlessly over the years to compile historical texts and preserve them, despite of various challenges. We at National School of Drama salute this legendary woman.”
“This book depicts entire history of Indian theatre and it is a treasure of Indian theatre legacy. The book is very interesting and renders insights into the remotest places of India that still run theatre activities. Ms. Pratibha Aggarwal has defied all challenges and hurdles to produce this extraordinary book,” says eminent theatre director and actor Prof. Mohan Maharishi.
“I hold a very deep and personal connection with theatre. I first started watching theatre at the age of five and today I am eighty-six and still associated with it. It was a difficult task to select some hundred theatre groups from a vast pool of over 10,000. Some of the most culturally significant and oldest surviving theatre groups have been featured in this book. I am thankful to Prof. Waman Kendre and National School of Drama for helping me in carrying out this mammoth task,” says Ms. Pratibha Aggarwal, editor of ‘Bharatiya Rangkosh’.
“I visited Azamgarh last year along with Prof. Waman Kendre to attend a theatre festival. I was surprised to see such a small town hosting a theatre festival. It gives us hope that the art form is not dying and many people are still interested in it. I got the opportunity to read this wonderful book that may become a part of history. This book is a very important document, which chronicles the efforts made by various theatre groups across India. I congratulate both the writer and director of National School of Drama for achieving this feat,” says Shri Mukhesh Bhardwaj.
Beside the plays, the 8th Theatre Olympics will present a host of allied activities related to theatre, including series of meetings with eminent personalities during ‘Living Legend’, ‘Master Class’ as well as national and international seminars and symposia over the remaining 38 days.
Wishing you a very colourful happy Holi.
From A. K. Barua (PRO, National School of Drama) and Teamwork Communications Group.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
