Arpita Ghosh, is an Indian theatre artist and politician who serves as a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. She has served as the Member of Parliament of the 16th Lok Sabha for Balurghat (Lok Sabha constituency), West Bengal. She won the 2014 Indian general election being an All India Trinamool Congress candidate.
A theatre director, actor and playwright turned politician, she graduated B.Sc. from the Scottish Church College at the University of Calcutta.
Career
Arpita Ghosh began her career in the theater in 1998 at age 31. She acted and directed throughout the early 2000s.
Early life and theatre journey
- Arpita Ghosh joined theatre at the end of 1998. She started working in a group named âÂÂFourth Wallâ for more than a year and acted in two major plays of the group.
- In January 2000 she joined Pancham Ved Charjashram as a student of theatre. After completing the course of 1 year, she started working with Pancham Vaidic.
Pancham Vaidic activities
- In 2003 Arpita first directed a children's play named âÂÂHa Ja Ba Ra LaâÂÂ, based on a story by Sukumar Ray, dramatised by herself.
- In 2003 only she also directed a small play named âÂÂAntargata Aagunâ written by Tirthankar Chanda.
- In 2004 she translated âÂÂCrime PassionnelâÂÂ, a play by Jean Paul Sartre which was directed by Saoli Mitra, where she acted as the lead female character. This play was later staged in Bharat Rang Mahotsav in 2010.
- In 2005 she directed two plays named âÂÂLankadahan PalaâÂÂ, by Lila Majumdar and âÂÂGhater KathaâÂÂ, by Rabindranath Tagore. She revived the latter play in 2014 in a different form.
- In 2005 Pancham Vaidic produced its play âÂÂChandaaliâÂÂ, a dramatised version of Chandaalika by Rabindranath Tagore, directed by Saoli Mitra, where she played the role of Prakriti, the central character. Pancham Vaidic staged this play in Bharat Rang Mahotsav in 2005.
- In 2006 Arpita translated, dramatised & directed âÂÂAnimal FarmâÂÂ, a novel by George Orwell. The Bengali play was named âÂÂPoshukhamarâÂÂ. The play became very popular in West Bengal.
- In 2007 Arpita got the invitation from âÂÂAirtel-Mukhomukhi Young DirectorâÂÂs Festivalâ held in Kolkata, where she staged a play named âÂÂTokoloshâÂÂ, translated, dramatised & directed by her. It is a translated version of Ronald Segal's popular novel âÂÂTokoloshâÂÂ.
- In 2008 Pancham Vaidic staged a new play on 22 August named âÂÂNarokiyoâÂÂ, written & directed by Arpita Ghosh where she talked about anti-violence. The play was revived again in 2013.
- In 2009 Pancham Vaidic staged a new play on 24 May, named âÂÂA-parajitaâÂÂ, (compilation of 3 short stories by Tagore) dramatised & directed by Arpita Ghosh.
- In 2010 Pancham Vaidic staged a new play on 22 August, named âÂÂGhare-BaireâÂÂ, (based on Tagore's novel in the same name) dramatised & directed by Arpita Ghosh.
- In 2011 Pancham Vaidic staged a play named âÂÂEbong Debjaniâ (based on an episode in Mahabharata) dramatised & directed by Arpita Ghosh. She also acted in a lead role.
- In 2012 Pancham Vaidic staged the play âÂÂAchalayatanâ â a play by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, directed and acted by Arpita Ghosh
- In 2013 Pancham Vaidic staged âÂÂAstomito Madhyanhaâ â a play based on Arthur KoestlerâÂÂs âÂÂDarkness at Noonâ â adapted, translated, dramatised & directed by Arpita Ghosh
- In 2013, Arpita also did her first solo acting in Pancham VaidicâÂÂs production âÂÂStreer Potroâ written by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, dramatized and directed by Arpita herself.
- In 2014, Arpita directed Pancham Vaidic's production âÂÂDuto Dinâ â play written by Bratya Basu. Arpita also acted in a leading role in the production.
- In 2015, Arpita adapted, scripted and directed the latest production of Pancham Vaidic âÂÂKarubasanaâ â based on late poet Jibanananda DasâÂÂs novel in the same name. The play was first staged in August 2015.
Acting in other groups
- In 2013 Arpita directed the play âÂÂKharir Tirâ â produced by Naihati Samay 1400 where she also acted in the lead role.
- In 2014 Arpita did her second solo acting in Bratya Basu's lyrical drama âÂÂApatoto Eibhabe Dujoner Dekha Hoye Thakeâ â directed by Debesh Chattopadhyay and produced by Sansriti, Kolkata
Translations & adaptations
Literary works
Awards
- "Satya Bandyopadhyay Smriti Purashkar" for the year 2005 as Best Actress for award for her work in âÂÂRajnaitik Hatya?âÂÂ
- âÂÂShyamal Sen Smriti Purashkarâ for her contribution as Director and Actress in 2007.
Plays directed
- Ha-Ja-Ba-Ra-La, (2003)
- Antargata Agun, (2003).
- Lanka Dahan Pala, (2004)
- Ghater Katha, (2004)
- Poshu Khamar, (2006)
- Tokolosh, (2007)
- Narokiyo, (2008)
- A-Parajita, (2009)
- Ghare Baire, (2010)
- Ebong Debjani, (2011)
- Astomito Madhyanha, (2012)
- Achalayatan, (2013)
- Streer Potro, (2013)
- Kharir Tir, (2013)
- Duto Din, (2014)
- Karubasana, (2015)
- Machi, (2017)
See also
References
http://www.anandabazar.com/supplementary/patrika/rehearsal-of-the-drama-karubasana-produced-by-pancham-vaidik-1.191690 - ABP 15 August 2015
External links