In brief
Chapal Bhaduri, known as Chapal Rani, was a pivotal figure in Bengal's jatra theatre, where male actors played female roles. His performances transcended mere mimicry, embodying characters with depth and authenticity. With the decline of jatra and evolving societal norms, Bhaduri's journey reflects the complexities of gender identity and societal acceptance. A new book by Sandip Roy sheds light on Bhaduri's storied past and the impact of his artistry.
In mid-20th Century Bengal in eastern India, some of the biggest female stars on stage were actually men. Foremost among them was Chapal Bhaduri - better known as Chapal Rani - the reigning 'queen' of jatra, a travelling theatre tradition that once drew vast, fervent crowds. Male actors playing female roles were a familiar trope across global theatre, from Europe to Japan and China. In Bengal, the form flourished in jatra - a rural, open-air spectacle of music, myth, and melodrama that often rivalled cinema in reach, though not in rewards. Rooted in epic and devotional storytelling, it played out on all-sided stages, driven by heightened voice, gesture, and costume.In a new book, Chapal Rani: The Last Queen of Bengal, writer Sandip Roy traces Bhaduri's journey from stardom to obscurity - and, in doing so, captures a vanishing world where gender itself was an act. For decades, female roles in jatra were played by men known as purush ranis, or male queens, though the art form carried a certain stigma and was often dismissed as rustic or unsophisticated by colonial-era elites.By the time Bhaduri entered the stage in the 1950s, women had begun to take up acting roles, but he stood out in a time of transition. His performances were immersive and deeply felt, defying the norm where queer characters were often ridiculed. Bhaduri's life off stage was more complicated; he did not openly identify as gay in a society that offered little acceptance. His remarkable journey raises questions about memory, visibility, and the complex narratives of those who shape our cultural histories.
