Book offers new insights on theatre director Bhanu Bharti's works

A book offering new insights on the works of well-known Hindi theatre director Bhanu Bharti, who has plays like "Andha Yug" and "Tughlaq" to his credit, was launched here Monday by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The book, "The Theatre of Bhanu Bharti: A New Perspective" written by a well-known theatre critic Diwan Singh Bajeli, has been published by Niyogi Books.

Speaking at the launch, Dikshit said: "I didn't know there was so much more to Bhanu Bharti's plays. I knew him during the 60th year of Delhi celebrations when he produced numerous folk-based presentations for the government."

"Through the book we have realised the depth of his work. His works bring out the historical perspective," she added.

Theatre critic Ravindra Tripathi said Bajeli's book has brought new insights into the theatre of Bharti, especially the way he has synthesised tribal art forms and Bheel theatre into modern theatre.

Bajeli said Bharti, who has produced 100 plays and written 12 dramas, stages his production in open spaces.

"Bhanu has fascination for the use of open spaces which enables him set dramatic action against historical and social backdrops," said Bajeli.

Bharti thanked the Delhi chief minister for her supporting theatre and said in the last 15 years, the government's help has given new impetus to the genre, with more people coming to watch theatrical productions, which now attract greater crowds.

"My book on his work is just the tip of the iceberg," Bajeli told IANS on the sidelines of the event.

"What inspired me to write about Bhanu's theatre is his art, which is uniquely fresh and imbued with social meaning. I am also touched by his deep love for the culture of the Bheels of Udaipur and his exploration of their rituals," he added.

A National School of Drama graduate, Bharti has extensively studied the traditional theatre of Japan and also the life and art of the Bheel tribe of Rajasthan, which he has included in his plays.

The 155-page book has a forward by Sahitya Akademi vice chairman Chandrasekhar Kambar and is priced at Rs. 450.