Introduction – Tripura Theatre

History & Achievements

Founded in 2006, Tripura Theatre has emerged as a significant presence in the dramatic arts landscape of Northeast India, sustaining a dynamic engagement with both performance practice and cultural discourse. Over the years, the group has consistently produced a repertoire of full-length and short plays, marked by both thematic diversity and formal experimentation. Notable productions include Dharti Aba, Kabuliwala, Swami Vivekananda, Chakravyuha, and Bapuji, each reflecting a commitment to reinterpreting literary, historical, and socio-political narratives for the stage.

Tours & Festivals

The ensemble has toured extensively across Tripura, the wider Northeastern region, and West Bengal, contributing to interregional cultural exchange through performance. Its work has been featured in several major festivals, including Octave 10 (organized by East Zone Cultural Centre, 2009), the North East Zone Cultural Centre Festival (2013), and Uttar Purva Natyasamaroha (organized by National School of Drama, 2014).

Workshops & Academic Engagements

Alongside its performance practice, Tripura Theatre has maintained a sustained investment in pedagogy and training, organizing regular workshops aimed at nurturing emerging talent. In February 2019, it convened an international seminar at the Agartala Press Club, bringing together scholars and practitioners from New York, Japan, Kolkata, and Agartala, thereby fostering a space for cross-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue.

Publications

Extending its engagement into the realm of scholarship, Tripura Theatre publishes its annual journal, Tripura Theatre, dedicated to theatre and performance studies. In recognition of its academic contribution, the journal was included in the UGC CARE List in 2020, prior to the list's subsequent discontinuation.

Director's Profile

Sri Bibhu Bhattacharjee
Director Since Inception

Active in theatre since 1980, Sri Bibhu Bhattacharjee is an accomplished writer, director, and actor whose practice spans over four decades. As the founding director of Tripura Theatre, he has been the principal creative force shaping its artistic vision and institutional trajectory since its inception.

His directorial work reflects a sustained engagement with literary adaptation, historical narrative, and contemporary performance idioms. Notable productions include Dharti Aba (staged at Minerva Theatre), Swami Vivekananda (Guwahati, 2013), and Kabuliwala (Guwahati, 2016), each marked by a careful negotiation between text, performance, and socio-cultural context.

Beyond directing, Bhattacharjee has played a pivotal role in shaping theatre discourse in the region. He has served as the Editor of the Tripura Theatre journal since its inception in 2006, contributing significantly to its intellectual and academic orientation. His wider academic engagements include serving as faculty for workshops organized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) and the National School of Drama (NSD), as well as being a member of the programme committee of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC).

Key Ensemble Members

The core team that brings the magic of Tripura Theatre to life:

Subhrangshu Chakraborty Kamal Majumder Shyamal Kanti Dey Mihir Kanti Bhattacharjee Gayatri Chowdhury Debabrata Mukherjee Silpi Bhattacharjee Mrinal Kanti Chatterjee Supriya Chowdhury Sekhar C Dutta Sabita Bhattacharjee Manidipa Ray Biprajit Bhattacharjee Shubhankar Bhattacharjee Apurba Saha Abhijit Bhattacharjee Shyamalima Dey Sagarima Dey Kankana Majumder