Lucknow: Lucknow is set to host one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year as the 59th Prakash Chandra Ghosh Memorial All India Full-Length Bengali Drama Competition – 2025 begins on 20 December 2025, carrying forward a rich legacy of theatre excellence that spans nearly six decades. The event, organised under the leadership of President Arun Kumar Banerjee, Cultural Secretary Kaushik Bose, and Officiating General Secretary Trisha Sinha, promises a vibrant celebration of Bengali theatre, art, and tradition.
A Grand Opening with Bengal’s Traditional “Putul Nach”
This year’s competition will open on 20 December at 7:30 PM with a mesmerising cultural showcase designed to enthral audiences of all ages. For the first time in Lucknow, viewers will witness “Putul Nach,” Bengal’s traditional puppetry art form, presented as “Thakumar Jhuli.”
The performance will be staged by the Baruipur Gangaradi Puppet Theatre Group from Kolkata, led by renowned puppetry expert Dr. Pradip Sardar and his dedicated team. Organisers said the show is designed to appeal to “everyone — from children to Thakuma and Didima” as it brings alive stories from Bengal’s timeless folklore.
Adding to the charm of the opening night will be a “Shruti Natak” performance by Sri Indrajeet Mitra and Smt. Rupa Mukherjee, both celebrated for their evocative narrative delivery and theatrical expressiveness.
Competition Begins 21 December
The formal drama competition will commence on 21 December 2025. This year’s edition holds special significance as all the top winning teams from previous years will be returning to compete, raising expectations for an intense and high-calibre artistic contest.
Organisers stated that theatre enthusiasts in Lucknow can look forward to witnessing “some truly outstanding productions” as groups from across India bring full-length Bengali plays to the stage.
Key Highlights
- Daily performances start at 7:30 PM
- Maximum performance duration: 2 hours
- Interval: 10 minutes
- Entry: Free for all visitors
- Venue: Lucknow (organisers’ venue details apply)
A Call to Support India’s Only Full-Length Bengali Drama Competition
As the only full-length Bengali drama competition in India, the organisers emphasised the importance of community participation to preserve and strengthen this cultural institution.
“Please join us for the survival of this Drama Competition,” they appealed, underscoring the need for audience encouragement to uphold this 59-year-old artistic tradition.
Leaders Speak
Arun Kumar Banerjee, President of the committee, expressed confidence in this year’s line-up:
“We are certain that audiences will witness theatre of the highest quality and creativity.”
Kaushik Bose, Cultural Secretary, highlighted the unique opening ceremony and the return of top performers:
“From Putul Nach to Shruti Natak, and the presence of last year’s champions, this year promises to be exceptional.”
Trisha Sinha, Officiating General Secretary, called it a landmark year:
“We are proud to host this event in Lucknow, keeping the essence of Bengali theatre alive.”
With an exciting blend of traditional art, modern dramatics, and the best of Bengali theatre talent, the 59th Prakash Chandra Ghosh Memorial Drama Competition is poised to be a cultural highlight for the city. Audiences are encouraged to attend in large numbers and celebrate an art form that continues to thrive on passion, performance, and heritage.
