The document traces the history and evolution of theater in Bangladesh from its origins in 4th century Sanskrit drama through the arrival of Muslim rule in the early 13th century. It then discusses the establishment of the first Bengali theater in 1795 and the introduction of Greek traditions in the 18th century. Key developments included Dhaka becoming the center of theater after the 1947 partition, the establishment of the Drama Circle theater group at Dhaka University in 1956, and plays in the 1960s-1970s addressing social issues and the liberation war. The timeline concludes with Bangladeshi theater entering a "messy scene" by the late 20th century.

1. We can see European
Influence in theatre culture
1942
1947
Before 1947,Calcutta was the
centre of Bengali theatre. After
the division of Bengali region,
Dhaka became the centre of
theatre in Bangladesh
1952
We can observe protest against
social inequity, political, cultural
oppression, religious overplay in
almost all the plays, all of them
outsourced from the Language
Movement
1956
A major step forward in the
history of Bangladesh
theatre was the
establishment of Dhaka
University-based theatre
group Drama Circle
1960-1970
Theatre play had helped a lot to find
the rationale and logic for our
demand for autonomy leading to
independence
1972-1975
Dramas had bearded the
expression of struggle and
victory, which is exclusively the
legacy of our Liberation War
End of the 20th century
The theatre activities of
Bangladesh were in a messy
scene
Theatre of Bangladesh was
originated from Sanskrit
Drama
4th Century AD
Early 13th century
The tradition of Sanskrit theatre
witnessed a major impediment
through the arrival of Muslim rule.
1795
Theatre Stage The first
Bangla Theatre was
founded by Lebedeff..
18th century (mid)
This Greek tradition came here
and introduced with colonial
cultural legacy
Early 19th century
“The plays” indicating woman
empowerment were played for
the 1st time in Bengal

3. TIMELINE
4th Century AD
Early 13th century
1795
18th century (mid)
Theatre of Bangladesh
was originated from
Sanskrit Drama
The tradition of Sanskrit
theatre witnessed a major
impediment through
the arrival of Muslim rule.
Theatre Stage The first
Bangla Theatre was founded by
Lebedeff .
This Greek tradition came here
and introduced with colonial
cultural legacy
Early 19th century
“The plays” indicating
woman empowerment
were played for the 1st
time in Bengal .
1942
We can see European
Influence in theatre
culture
Before 1947,Calcutta was the
centre of Bengali theatre.
After the division of Bengali
region, Dhaka became the
centre of theatre in
Bangladesh
1947
We can observe protest against
social inequity, political, cultural
oppression, religious overplay in
almost all the plays, all of them
outsourced from the Language
Movement
1952
A major step forward in the
history of Bangladesh theatre
was the establishment of
Dhaka University-based
theatre group Drama Circle
1956
Theatre play had helped
a lot to find the
rationale and logic for
our demand for
autonomy leading to
independence
1960-1970
Dramas had bearded the
expression of struggle and
victory, which is exclusively
the legacy of our
Liberation War
1972-1975
End of 20th century
The theatre activities of
Bangladesh were in a
messy scene
WHAT IS THEATER? HISTORY OF THEATER
The city state of Athens is where
western theatre originated, It was
part of a broader culture of
theatricality and performance
in classical Greece which included
festivals, religious rituals, politics, law,
athletics and
gymnastics, music, poetry, weddings,
funerals, and symposia. The Greeks
also developed the concepts
of dramatic criticism and theatre
architecture.
Ancient Greek theater
The word “Theater” means a
“place for seeing”. Its more
than just a building where
playwrights write scripts,
directors supervise
rehearsals, set designers
and technical crew work
behind the scenes and the
actors perform on stage but
its is not a true theater until
an audience is there to
experience it.

4. STAGE 2
Arena Theatre
Black-Box
Platform Stages
Open Air Theatres
These project or
‘thrust’ into the
auditorium with the
audience sitting on
three sides
Arch or opening
separating the stage
from the auditorium
together with the area
immediately in front of
the arch.
Have a central stage area
with audiences on all sides
Don't have roof but may
make use of the natural
light as it changes during
the sunset.
Used in multi-purpose
halls where theatre is
only one of the space’s
uses.
A single room painted black, the
floor of the stage at the same
level as the first audience row
Amphitheatre
Rural
Puppet theatre
Folk
Street Drama
Jatra
freestanding
building of round
or oval shaped.
theatre created outside of
urban
Used in multi-purpose
halls where theatre is
only one of the space’s
uses.
involves the manipulation
of puppets
theatre having roots in native culture
is embedded in local identity
‘journey’ that many
religious values and
principles were strongly
communicated in the past
INDOOR
OUTDOOR
Proscenium Stages
Thrust Stages
TYPOLOGY

5. Amphitheatre
freestanding building of
round or oval shaped.
theatre created
outside of urban
Rural
Hindi language
theatre
Hindi
INDOOR
Theatre
These project or ‘thrust’ into the
auditorium with the audience sitting
on three sides
Proscenium
stages
arch or opening separating the stage
from the auditorium together with
the area immediately in front of the
arch.
have a central stage
area with audiences on
all sides
Thrust stages
a single room painted black,
the floor of the stage at the
same level as the first
audience row
Arena theatre
Black-box
Platform
stages
used in multi-purpose halls
where theatre is only one
of the space’s uses.
Don't have roof. May make
use of the natural light as it
changes during the sunset.
are similar to circuses
and have a central
circular arena .
Open air
theatres
Hippodrome
s
OUT DOOR
THEATRE
theatre having roots in native
culture is embedded in local
identity
Folk
‘journey’ that many religious values and
principles were strongly communicated in the
past
Jatra
Puppet theatre
involves the
manipulation
of puppets
Street Drama
Held in streets, open
ground. Reach to the
general people directly