Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 69. Chapters: Bengali theatre, Durga Puja, Cinema of West Bengal, Bowbazar, Architecture of Bengal, Jatra, Culture of Bankura district, Bengali calendar, Asian Paints Sharad Shamman, Dhaki, Durga Puja 2007, Culture of Bengal, Bengali wedding, Kavigan, Bengali Hindu wedding, Bonbibi, Culture of Birbhum, Durga Puja 2008, Bipodtarini Devi, Fairs in Birbhum, Panta bhat, Barowari, Kali Puja, Calcutta Youth Choir, Sholapith, Chhau dance, Bhadu, Bankura horse, Rathayatra of Mahesh, Culture of Darjeeling, Dharmathakur, Bengal school of art, Dhokra, Bahulara, Music of West Bengal, Kalyaneshwari Temple, Raibenshe, Alkap, Gaura-purnima, List of festivals of West Bengal, Panchali, Para, Chandbibi, Haldia Utsav. Excerpt: Bengali theatre primarily refers to theatre performed in the Bengali language. Bengali theatre is produced mainly in West Bengal, and in Bangladesh. The term may also refer to some Hindi theatres which are accepted by the Bengali people. Bengali theatre has its origins in British rule. It began as private entertainment in the early 19th century. In the pre-independence period, Bengali theatres played a pivotal role in manifesting dislike of the British Raj. After the independence of India in 1947, leftist movements in West Bengal used theatre as a propaganda tool. This added some unique characteristics to the art form that still have strong effects. These groups differentiate themselves ideologically from commercial Bengali theatre. The many theatres in West Bengal can be broadly divided into Kolkata-based theatres and rural theatres. Outside Bengali-speaking areas, the term "Bengali theatre" primarily refers to Kolkata-based groups, as the rural theatres are less well-known. The two types are similar in form and content, but the Kolkata-based theatres are better funded and staffed. This is mainly due to the influx of...