Janata Chritra (Bengali Version)

Book Details

• Author: Debendranath Sarkar
• Publisher: Bangiya Sahitya Samsad
• Language: Bengali
• ISBN: 9788189827052

About the Book

Janata Chritra (Bengali Version) is a comprehensive and insightful study of the concept of the “public” or “crowd character” in Bengali drama, a subject that has received relatively limited scholarly attention. The book examines the nature, definition, and characteristics of collective characters in theatrical works, highlighting their significance in shaping dramatic narratives and social representation.

Debendranath Sarkar begins by exploring the theoretical foundations of crowd characters and then places the discussion within a broader literary context through brief analyses of their presence in Greek, Western, and Sanskrit drama. The study traces the evolution of public characters in Bengali theatre from its early stages to contemporary dramatic works, offering readers a historical overview of their development and changing functions.

Special attention is given to the plays of major literary figures such as Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Dinabandhu Mitra, Girish Chandra Ghosh, Dwijendralal Roy, and Rabindranath Tagore. The book particularly highlights the extensive and innovative use of collective characters in Tagore’s dramas. It also demonstrates how modern Bengali plays increasingly position the public not merely as a background presence but as a central force that influences, directs, and even controls the dramatic action. This volume is an essential resource for students, researchers, theatre practitioners, and anyone interested in Bengali drama, literary criticism, and performance studies.