February 15 – April 09, 2023. Soho Rep, New York City Written and Directed – Shayok Misha Chowdhury. Cultural Dramaturg – Sukanya Chakrabarti. Soho Rep Event Page Public Obscenities is a bilingual play from writer-director Shayok Misha Chowdhury about the things we see, the things we miss, and the things that turn us on. Public Obscenities is produced by Soho Repertory Theatre and the National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) through the NAATCO National Partnership Project. Reviews Juan A Ramirez, New York Times, Critic’s Pick Thom Geier, The Wrap Jishnu…
In-Between Worlds: Performing [as] Bauls in an Age of Extremism – Book Release
Written by Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti. Published November 25, 2022 by Routledge. 248 Pages 39 B/W Illustrations Book Listing on Routledge website Book Description This book examines the performance of Bauls, ‘folk’ performers from Bengal, in the context of a rapidly globalizing Indian economy and against the backdrop of extreme nationalistic discourses. Recognizing their scope beyond the musical and cultural realm, Sukanya Chakrabarti engages in discussing the subversive and transformational potency of Bauls and their performances. In-Between Worlds argues that the Bauls through their musical, spiritual, and cultural performances offer ‘joy’…
Review of Indian Drama in English: The Beginnings
Asian Theatre Journal, Volume 39, Number 2, Fall 2022, pp. 428-432, Published by University of Hawai’i Press Dr. Chakrabarti reviews Ananda Lal’s Indian Drama in English: The Beginnings Excerpt: Ananda Lal’s Indian Drama in English: The Beginnings fills a critical lacuna in the study of Indian theatre history while offering insights into the complexities and challenges of archiving book history in an Indian postcolonial context, as Lal notes the “absence of a culture of methodical library acquisition” (p. 9) in his introduction. Contrary to what a disorganized and sparsely recorded…
Unearthed – Untold Stories from the Ramayana
April 22-23, 2022. ODC Theater, San Francisco Script – Sukanya Chakrabarti Direction – Amit Patel and Ishika Seth Unearthed Facebook Event Page “Unearthed” is a dance and music production that excavates the stories of forgotten voices in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Bringing forth diverse perspectives, we examine these stories in a modern context, relating them to current social and political themes. Using the idiom of Indian Contemporary dance movement, music and narration, “Unearthed” brings together a stellar cast of South Asian artists, directed by Amit Patel & Ishika Seth. Dates:…
Publications
In-Between Worlds: Performing [as] Bauls in an Age of Extremism – Book Release Written by Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti. Published November 25, 2022 by Routledge. 248 Pages 39 B/W Illustrations Book Description: This book examines the performance of Bauls, ‘folk’ performers from Bengal, in the context of a rapidly globalizing Indian economy and against the backdrop of extreme nationalistic discourses… Project Muse – Review of Indian Drama in English: The Beginnings Asian Theatre Journal, Volume 39, Number 2, Fall 2022, pp. 428-432, Published by University of Hawai’i Press Dr. Chakrabarti reviews…
Parvathy Baul Workshop in SFSU
Organizer and Facilitator, April 1, 2022 Location: Creative Arts Building at SFSU Photos Credit: Purba Debnath “Bauls of Bengal: living practice of an ancient wisdom. An evening performance with Parvathy Baul” An introduction to Baul wisdom in an evening performance by Parvathy Baul. Her performance will include song, dance, and a brief explication of the meaning of Baul practice and wisdom. Workshop Program Details The Singing Body – in the Baul Parampara, with Parvathy Baul, April 1st, 2022 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm PST. An introduction to Baul wisdom…
A Nice Indian Boy
Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti, Director March 11-18, 2022 Written by by Madhuri Shekar and Directed by Sukanya Chakrabarti Location: Creative Arts Building, The Lab Sponsor: School of Theatre and Dance – Link to Events Page on SFSU. Media India Currents Our production of A Nice Indian Boy made it into India Currents. Read this great interview with Sukanya Chakrabarti who directed this queered romantic comedy with an essence of Bollywood (article). SF Arts Naveen Gavaskar just wants a traditional Indian marriage to a nice Indian boy. While his parents are trying…
Tell me your Story – Representation of the Life and Resettlement of Widows in Films and Documentaries
Panelist September 12, 2021 Migration, Resettlement and Displacement: Women’s Identity and Social Control, in association with Oxford University Press. (Watch the full video discussion)
ATHE 2021
Transnational and Transmediated Asian Theater and Performance: Remembered, Reimagined, and Reclaimed Presenter, August 5-8, 2021 Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti of San Francisco State University presents her paper ‘In Between Worlds: Zoom-ing into ‘Folk’ Performances Amidst a Global Pandemic’ ATHE 2021 Program Details ATHE 2021 Website
SoHo Rep – Public Obscenities
Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti, Associate Director/Dramaturg June 22, 2021 Collaboration with Misha Chowdhury, who is the playwright and director of this bilingual play (in progress), “Public Obscenities” with many other creative minds. Link to Public Obscenities page on SoHo Rep. SoHo Rep Media New York Times Excerpt from the website: Soho Rep and the National Asian American Theater Company have also commissioned another inaugural Project Number One artist, (website), to finish his bilingual play “Public Obscenities,” in Bengali and English. Read More. Broadway World Excerpt from the website: Chowdhury shares an…