Three Plays by Rabindranath Tagore: Translated, and With an Introduction (Drama, Bengali, India)
Lal, Ananda
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/71118
Description
Title
Three Plays by Rabindranath Tagore: Translated, and With an Introduction (Drama, Bengali, India)
Author(s)
Lal, Ananda
Issue Date
1986
Department of Study
Theatre
Discipline
Theatre
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Literature, Asian
Theater
Abstract
The first part of this dissertation provides a general introduction to the plays of Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), the Indian author who became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, in 1913. The preliminary section delineates the main reasons behind the neglect and misunderstanding that have characterized criticism of Tagore's dramatic output, both in India and in other countries. In an attempt to offer a more objective and sympathetic approach to Tagore's plays, the next two sections trace respectively the development of Tagore's dramatic craft (preceded by a brief historical account of earlier Bengali drama), and the evolution of his work in the theatre, covering not only his own directorial and histrionic efforts, but also productions of his plays on the Bengali professional stage and major revivals in Bengali group theatres of the modern period. The typical themes and issues that concerned Tagore form the subject of the fourth section, with special reference to the three plays translated in this volume. An analysis follows of the progressively negative critical reaction in England and America to Tagore's plays, drawing on book reviews, theatre reviews, articles and book-length publications from 1913 onwards. The next section explores the problems and deficiencies apparent in previous English translations, especially those by Tagore himself; his translation titled Red Oleanders is selected for detailed examination as a representative of his flawed methods. The final section of the introduction describes the methodology of translation employed by the present author.
Part Two of this work presents three of Tagore's plays in new English translations: "Red Oleander" (Rakta-karav(')i), "Tapati" (Tapat(')i), and "Formless Jewel" (Arup Ratan). Each play is prefaced by a note on sources and stage history, and the text contains substantive notes that explain difficult words or cultural concepts, also providing performance alternatives for non-Indian productions. The appendices to this dissertation include anote on Tagore's use of music; the songs of all three plays, transcribed into Western notation for the first time; and lists of Tagore's plays, of their premieres, and of published photographs of productions. The bibliography attempts to compile all books and articles in English relevant to a study of Tagore's drama.
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