Star Theater, Minerva Theater and the legacy of Binodini Dasi

Binodini Dasi (1863–1941), also known as Notee Binodini, was a reputed actress and thespian. Her autobiography Amar Katha (The Story of My Life) published in 1913 gives a poignant account of her life and has a consistent thread of betrayal. Born to prostitution, she started her career as a courtesan and at age 12. She played her first serious drama role in Calcutta's National Theatre in 1874, under the mentorship of its founder, Girish Chandra Ghosh. She enacted over eighty roles, till the age of 23 years which included those of Pramila, Sita, Draupadi, Radha, Ayesha, Kaikeyi, Motibibi, and Kapalkundala, among others. She was one of the first South Asian actresses of the theatre to write her own autobiography. She had sacrificed her art, and retired, becoming a mistress of the man who saved her theatre company. But not before she had set a glowing example for women in theatre and introduced modern makeup techniques for artistes. Sri Ramakrishna came to see her play in 1884. She was a pioneering entrepreneur of the Bengali stage and introduced modern techniques of stage make-up through blending European and indigenous styles.


The Star Theatre was established in 1883 at 68, Beadon Street, Calcutta. After a dispute at Minerva Theatre, he decided to form his own theatre company and Binodini also wanted an undisturbed space for her artistic expansion and exposure. Khetramoni, affectionately referred to as Khetu didi by Binodini, worked at the Minerva Theatre till 1896. She is considered as one of the most talented, yet highly ignored talents of Calcutta theatre.

The Minerva Theatre was built in 1893 at the site on Beadon Street where the Great National Theatre stood before. The maiden play held on this stage was 'Macbeth'. It was initially owned by Nagendra Bhusan Mukhopaddhaya. In course of time, it witnessed several transfers of ownership. Sri Girish Chandra Ghosh is noted for having given the last spectacular performance of his life in this theatre. "Minerva" was burnt down in a fire in 1922 which some believe was done purposefully to sabotage Girish Ghosh. However, it was renovated and in 1925, it regained its old status and play acting was resumed. It was at Minerva that Girish Ghosh gave his last performance. The Minerva, along with the Star and The Classic Theatre, were also one of the places where the first motion pictures in Bengal, made by Hiralal Sen, were screened. Today one sees elegant marble interiors, as well as the walls adorned with photographs of Bengal’s stage icons

 

During her life time Binodini changed her residence several times. It is considered that she was born in 145 Bidhan Sarani and a plaque on the sideway also claims the same. However, the condition of the plaque is as bad as the building.

Binodini spent her last days in a building, located on a lane adjacent to the Star Theatre and is known as Nati Binodini Sarani. 


Date of visit: 08.09.2021, 13.09.2022


















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