“The Power of Protest: Nildarpan’s Role in Bengali Theatre”
Nildarpan, written by Dinabandhu Mitra in 1860, is a landmark Bengali play that boldly exposed the brutal exploitation of Indian farmers by British indigo planters. Set against the backdrop of colonial Bengal, the play uses vivid realism and emotional depth to portray the suffering of peasants forced into indigo cultivation. As one of the earliest examples of political theatre in India, Nildarpan not only ignited public consciousness but also laid the foundation for socially engaged drama in Bengali literature. Its legacy continues to inspire conversations around resistance, justice, and the power of storytelling on stage.
