The Binodini Theatre, previously known as Star Theatre, is a theatre in Hatibagan, Kolkata.[1] It was built in 1883.[2] Initially situated in Beadon Street, the theatre later moved to Cornwallis Street - now called Bidhan Sarani. The Binodini Theatre, along with the Minerva Theatre, was one of the first institutions of commercial Bengali theatre.[3]
History and overview
The Binodini (Star) Theatre, along with Minerva and The Classic Theatre, were also one of the places where the first motion pictures in Bengal, made by Hira Lala Sen, were screened. Girish Chandra Ghosh was one of the first to produce plays at the Star Theatre, in the 1880s. It is a heritage site of Calcutta (Kolkata) that was destroyed in a fire and thereafter restored by the local municipal corporation. The restored Star Theatre maintains the heritage facade; the interiors are contemporary. The property is maintained by a private company.
At present, it is primarily a cinema hall; plays are staged on about two days per month. However, during winter (December and January) plays are staged here much more frequently, of the order of ten days per month. The auditorium has excellent acoustics. Star Theatre is close to the junction of Grey Street (Aurobindo Sarani) and Cornwallis Street (Bidhan Sarani). The theatre is a 10-minute walk from Shobhabazar Sutanuti metro station. Star Theatre has an underground car park with a nominal parking fee of Rs 10/- per hour (minimum three hours). Tramcar tracks, and services, on Grey Street and Cornwallis Street enhance the heritage ambience.
In 2012, the Star Theatre was to be returned to civic ownership, "to stop commercialization of the historic building that was once visited by Bengali luminaries such as Vidyasagar, Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Rabindranath Tagore."[4] In 2024, it was renamed as the "Binodini Theatre by CM Mamata Banerjee.[5] It was done to pay respect to Binodini Dasi, due to her close professional connection with the theatre and the importance of Star Theatre in her carrier.[6][7]
References
- ^ "Star Theatre is now Binodini Mancha: The life of Nati Binodini, the 'fallen woman' who scaled great heights". Indian Express. 2 January 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
- ^ Bhaumik, Anirban (31 December 2024). "Mamata Banerjee corrects 141-year-old injustice, honours 19th century theatre personality Noti Binodini". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
- ^ Banka, Neha (8 January 2025). "From Star to Binodini, why one of Kolkata's oldest theatres has a new name today". Indian Express. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
- ^ Anonymous (28 March 2012). "Uncertainty looms over Star Theatre's fates". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ^ "Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that Star Theatre will be renamed as Binodini Theatre". The Statesman. 31 December 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
- ^ Som, Moyurie (13 January 2025). "Thespians hail renaming Kolkata's Star Theatre after Binodini Dasi as historic". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
- ^ Roy, Subhajoy (31 December 2024). "Star Theatre named after Nati Binodini: Decision to honour first celebrated Bengali stage actress". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
External links
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