Arpita Ghosh, is an Indian theatre artist and politician who serves as a

Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha A Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha (abbreviated: MP) is the representative of the Indian states to the one of the two houses of the Parliament of India (Rajya Sabha). Rajya Sabha MPs are elected by the electoral college of the elected ...

from

West Bengal West Bengal (, Bengali: ''Poshchim Bongo'', , abbr. WB) is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of . West Bengal is the fourt ...

. She has served as the

Member of Parliament A member of parliament (MP) is the representative in parliament of the people who live in their electoral district. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, this term refers only to members of the lower house since upper house members of ...

of the

16th Lok Sabha Members of the 16th Lok Sabha were elected during the 2014 Indian general election. The elections were conducted in 9 phases from 7 April 2014 to 12 May 2014 by the Election Commission of India. The results of the election were declared on 16 M ...

for

Balurghat (Lok Sabha constituency) Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 543 parliamentary constituencies in India. The constituency centres on Balurghat in West Bengal. While six of the assembly segments of No. 6 Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency are in Dakshin Dinajpu ...

. She won the

2014 Indian general election General elections were held in India in nine phases from 7 April to 12 May 2014 to elect the members of the 16th Lok Sabha. With 834 million registered voters, they were the largest-ever elections in the world until being surpassed by the 2019 ...

being an

All India Trinamool Congress The All India Trinamool Congress (English: All India Grassroots Congress; AITC), colloquially the Trinamool Congress ( TMC) is an Indian political party which is predominantly active in West Bengal. The party is led by Mamata Banerjee, the cur ...

candidate. A theatre director, actor and playwright turned politician, she graduated

B.Sc. A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Science was the University of ...

from the

Scottish Church College Scottish Church College is a college affiliated by Calcutta University, India. It offers selective co-educational undergraduate and postgraduate studies and is the oldest continuously running Christian liberal arts and sciences college in A ...

at the

University of Calcutta The University of Calcutta (informally known as Calcutta University; CU) is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate State university (India), state university in India, located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Considered ...

.Didi a political biography
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Career

Arpita Ghosh began her career in the theater in 1998 at age 31. She acted and directed throughout the early 2000s.

Early life and theatre journey

*Arpita Ghosh joined theatre at the end of 1998. She started working in a group named ‘Fourth Wall’ for more than a year and acted in two major plays of the group. *In January 2000 she joined Pancham Ved Charjashram as a student of theatre. After completing the course of 1 year, she started working with Pancham Vaidic.

Pancham Vaidic activities

*In 2003 Arpita first directed a children's play named ‘Ha Ja Ba Ra La’, based on a story by

Sukumar Ray Sukumar Ray (; 30 October 1887 – 10 September 1923) was a Bengali writer and poet from the Indian subcontinent. He is remembered mainly for his writings for children. He was the son of children's story writer Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury and ...

, dramatised by herself. *In 2003 only she also directed a small play named ‘Antargata Aagun’ written by Tirthankar Chanda. *In 2004 she translated ‘

Crime Passionnel A crime of passion (French: ''crime passionnel''), in popular usage, refers to a violent crime, especially homicide, in which the perpetrator commits the act against someone because of sudden strong impulse such as anger rather than as a premed ...

’, a play by

Jean Paul Sartre Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre (, ; ; 21 June 1905 – 15 April 1980) was one of the key figures in the philosophy of existentialism (and phenomenology), a French playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and litera ...

which was directed by Saoli Mitra, where she acted as the lead female character. This play was later staged in

Bharat Rang Mahotsav Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) (भारत रंग महोत्सव) or the National Theatre Festival, started in 1999, is the annual theatre festival organised by National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi. The festival was started to showcas ...

in 2010. *In 2005 she directed two plays named ‘Lankadahan Pala’, by Lila Majumdar and ‘Ghater Katha’, by

Rabindranath Tagore Rabindranath Tagore (; bn, রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর; 7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941) was a Bengali polymath who worked as a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter. He resh ...

. She revived the latter play in 2014 in a different form. *In 2005 Pancham Vaidic produced its play ‘Chandaali’, a dramatised version of Chandaalika by

, directed by Saoli Mitra, where she played the role of Prakriti, the central character.

Pancham Vaidic Pancham may refer to: * Pancham da, nickname of Rahul Dev Burman, an Indian film score composer * One of the seven basic swaras (notes) of the musical scale of Indian classical music * ''Pancham'' (TV series), an Indian TV series * Pancham (Pokém ...

staged this play in

in 2005. *In 2006 Arpita translated, dramatised & directed ‘

Animal Farm ''Animal Farm'' is a beast fable, in the form of satirical allegorical novella, by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945. It tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to crea ...

’, a novel by

George Orwell Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950), better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to totalitar ...

. The Bengali play was named ‘Poshukhamar’. The play became very popular in West Bengal. *In 2007 Arpita got the invitation from “Airtel-Mukhomukhi Young Director’s Festival” held in Kolkata, where she staged a play named ‘

Tokolosh In Zulu mythology, Tikoloshe, Tikolosh, Tokoloshe, Tokolotshe, Thokolosi or Hili is a dwarf-like water sprite. It is a mischievous and evil spirit that can become invisible by drinking water or swallowing a stone. Tokoloshes are called upon ...

’, translated, dramatised & directed by her. It is a translated version of Ronald Segal's popular novel ‘

’. *In 2008 Pancham Vaidic staged a new play on 22 August named ‘Narokiyo’, written & directed by Arpita Ghosh where she talked about anti-violence. The play was revived again in 2013. *In 2009 Pancham Vaidic staged a new play on 24 May, named ‘A-parajita’, (compilation of 3 short stories by Tagore) dramatised & directed by Arpita Ghosh. *In 2010 Pancham Vaidic staged a new play on 22 August, named ‘

Ghare-Baire ''The Home and the World'' (in the original Bengali, ঘরে বাইরে ''Ghôre Baire'' or ''Ghare Baire'', lit. "At home and outside") is a 1916 novel by Rabindranath Tagore. The book illustrates the battle Tagore had with himself, be ...

’, (based on Tagore's novel in the same name) dramatised & directed by Arpita Ghosh. *In 2011 Pancham Vaidic staged a play named ‘Ebong Debjani’ (based on an episode in

Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; sa, महाभारतम्, ', ) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India in Hinduism, the other being the ''Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the struggle between two groups of cousins in the Kuruk ...

) dramatised & directed by Arpita Ghosh. She also acted in a lead role. *In 2012 Pancham Vaidic staged the play ‘Achalayatan’ – a play by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, directed and acted by Arpita Ghosh *In 2013 Pancham Vaidic staged ‘Astomito Madhyanha’ – a play based on

Arthur Koestler Arthur Koestler, (, ; ; hu, Kösztler Artúr; 5 September 1905 – 1 March 1983) was a Hungarian-born author and journalist. Koestler was born in Budapest and, apart from his early school years, was educated in Austria. In 1931, Koestler join ...

’s “

Darkness at Noon ''Darkness at Noon'' (german: link=no, Sonnenfinsternis) is a novel by Hungarian-born novelist Arthur Koestler, first published in 1940. His best known work, it is the tale of Rubashov, an Old Bolshevik who is arrested, imprisoned, and tried f ...

” – adapted, translated, dramatised & directed by Arpita Ghosh *In 2013, Arpita also did her first solo acting in Pancham Vaidic’s production ‘Streer Potro’ written by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, dramatized and directed by Arpita herself. *In 2014, Arpita directed Pancham Vaidic's production “Duto Din” – play written by

Bratya Basu Bratyabrata Basu Roy Chowdhury (born 25 September 1969),Bratya Basu(collected plays), Ananda Publishers, 2004 also known as Bratya Basu, is an Indian actor, stage director, playwright, film director, professor and a politician who is serving a ...

. Arpita also acted in a leading role in the production. *In 2015, Arpita adapted, scripted and directed the latest production of Pancham Vaidic “Karubasana” – based on late poet

Jibanananda Das Jibanananda Das () (17 February 1899 – 22 October 1954) was an Indian poet, writer, novelist and essayist in the Bengali language. Popularly called "Rupashi Banglar Kabi'' ('Poet of Beautiful Bengal'), Das is the most read poet after Rabindr ...

’s novel in the same name. The play was first staged in August 2015.

Acting in other groups

*In 2013 Arpita directed the play ‘Kharir Tir’ – produced by Naihati Samay 1400 where she also acted in the lead role. *In 2014 Arpita did her second solo acting in Bratya Basu's lyrical drama ‘Apatoto Eibhabe Dujoner Dekha Hoye Thake’ – directed by

Debesh Chattopadhyay Debesh Chattopadhyay (also Chatterjee) is an Indian Bengali film & theatre director and actor. He has also acted in a few Bengali films. Career Chattopadhyay is associated with theatre since 1984. At that time he was 18 years old. In 1989 ...

and produced by

Sansriti ''Sansriti'' is a Bengali Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to: *something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia * Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region * Bengali language, the language they sp ...

, Kolkata

Translations & adaptations

*''

'', a play by

(2004) into "Rajnaitik Hatya?" *''

'', novel by

(2006) into "

Poshu Khamar ''Poshu Khamar'' (first staged in 2006) is a political Bengali drama produced by the theatre group Pancham Baidik and directed by Arpita Ghosh. The drama was Bengali adaptation of George Orwell's ''Animal Farm''. Political administration attempt ...

" *''

'', a play by Ronald Segal (2007) into "Tokolosh" *''

Darkness at noon ''Darkness at Noon'' (german: link=no, Sonnenfinsternis) is a novel by Hungarian-born novelist Arthur Koestler, first published in 1940. His best known work, it is the tale of Rubashov, an Old Bolshevik who is arrested, imprisoned, and tried f ...

'', novel by

(2013) into "Astomito Madhyanha"

Literary works

Awards

*"Satya Bandyopadhyay Smriti Purashkar" for the year 2005 as Best Actress for award for her work in “Rajnaitik Hatya?” *“Shyamal Sen Smriti Purashkar” for her contribution as Director and Actress in 2007.

Plays directed

*''Ha-Ja-Ba-Ra-La'', (2003) *''Antargata Agun'', (2003). *''Lanka Dahan Pala, (2004) *''Ghater Katha'', (2004) *''

'', (2006) *''Tokolosh'', (2007) *''Narokiyo'', (2008) *''A-Parajita'', (2009) *''Ghare Baire'', (2010) *''Ebong Debjani'', (2011) *''Astomito Madhyanha'', (2012) *''Achalayatan'', (2013) *''Streer Potro'', (2013) *''Kharir Tir'', (2013) *''Duto Din'', (2014) *''Karubasana'', (2015) *''Machi'', (2017)

References

*https://www.telegraphindia.com/1140826/jsp/calcutta/story_18759875.jsp#.WJhHEFN97Z4 - The Telegraph 26 August 2014 *http://soumyadesarkar.blogspot.in/2015/02/arpita-and-debesh-to-form-new-theatre.html *http://gulfnews.com/life-style/celebrity/desi-news/bollywood/arpita-ghosh-to-debut-in-indecent-proposal-1.1377079 - Gulf News 27 August 2014 *http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Directors+cut/1/5677.html - India Today 12 March 2008 *http://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2016/8/6/EZCC-Kolkata-Theatre-Festival-2016 *https://www.telegraphindia.com/1050902/asp/atleisure/story_5185709.asp - The Telegraph 2 September 2005 http://www.anandabazar.com/supplementary/patrika/rehearsal-of-the-drama-karubasana-produced-by-pancham-vaidik-1.191690 - ABP 15 August 2015

External links

Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghosh, Arpita India MPs 2014–2019 Lok Sabha members from West Bengal Scottish Church College alumni University of Calcutta alumni Politicians from Kolkata Indian theatre directors Bengali theatre personalities People from Dakshin Dinajpur district Living people Women in West Bengal politics 21st-century Indian women politicians 21st-century Indian politicians Indian women theatre directors 1966 births Trinamool Congress politicians from West Bengal Bengali Hindus