Hindi Theater Day is celebrated every year on 3 April

Hindi Theater Day is celebrated every year on 3 April. On the evening of April 3, 1868, the Hindi play 'Janaki Mangal' written by Shitalaprasad Tripathi was staged for the first time in Banaras. In June 1967, Acharya Ramchandra Shukla authentically confirmed the staging of this play for the first time in the History of Hindi Literature. Information about the staging of that play was also published in the May 8, 1868 issue of England's 'Allen Indian Mail'. On this basis, for the first time, Sharad Nagar had announced Hindi Theater Day on 3rd April.

The most important role in the establishment of Hindi theater was played by the then Kashi King Ishwarinarayan Singh. In those days, British models were more effective in the theater field. The traditionalism of Kashi was searching for a middle path in an attempt to escape the pressure of modernity. Then Maharaj Ishwariprasad Narayan Singh asked his court poet Ganesh to work on it. The play written by Ganesh was traditional and rhymed.Maharaj was not satisfied. He wanted to start a tradition that could compete with English theatrical production. Then he handed over this responsibility to Shitlaprasad Tripathi. He created Janaki Mangal by combining classical Sanskrit drama, traditional Ramlila and European theatrical elements. Babu Aishwaryanarayan Prasad Singh started rehearsals with the artists of Ramleela. The venue for the presentation was the Cantonment's Assembly Rooms and Theatre, later known as the 'Royal Theatre'.

Intersting Incident

Just before the performance the boy playing the role of Lakshman fell ill. The play was about to be postponed. Just then 18 year old youth Harishchandra reached there. He asked me to play the role of Laxman.

When Maharaj said it was impossible to remember the dialogue, he memorized it within an hour. Then the drama was played. Bhartendu's enthusiasm for Hindi play writing and acting arose and he started writing plays himself. Also formed his own theater group which included Radhakrishna Das, Ravidutt Shukla, Damodar Shastri, Pt. Chintamani, Pt. Manik Lal Joshi etc. He gave theatrical performances in Dadri Fair of Varanasi and Ballia. After this, theater institutions started being formed to perform plays in Kashi. But on the other hand, some people intervene in this matter and also say that in 1853, a Hindi play named “Vidyavilap” was played in Bhatgaon, Nepal. While some people also say that “Indrasabha” and Nawab Wajid Alishah’s “Kissa Radha Kanhaiya” were staged in Lucknow between 1850 and 1860. It is said that in those days, Sanglikar Drama Troupe had staged “Gopichandopakhyan” (Opera) in Mumbai.