User:Jagannath-urmimala

Jagannath and Urmimala Bose are the pioneers of talk theatre, or shruti natak, as it is popularly known in Bengal. Shruti natak is a modern-day version of the old-world oral literature tradition, where the artiste would recreate scenes from a story by just modulating his or her voice. Jagannath has played a key role in taking the shruti natak form from the confines of the radio station to the open stage — working just with his voice to enact a wide range of human emotions. Minus any props, it is more challenging. The Boses are master craftsmen in breathing life into characters from the works of notable authors, like Bonophool and Ashapurna Devi to name a few. Sometimes they are a middle-class couple fighting over a domestic matter, sometimes a sophisticated urban couple squabbling over a different problem. Sometimes it's a subtle love story between an author and a fan, sometimes a love-and-hate scene between a father-in-law and a daughter-in-law. Jagannath and Urmimala can become any character, anywhere. Together, they have produced a rich body of audio dramas over the years. Some of their notable works are Durabhashini, Bori o Sasurmoshai, Shuk Saari, Neem Gachh and Ikebana. The couple has performed all over Bengal and in several parts of India, on the invitation of Bengali communities. They have held shows in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Chennai, Bangalore, Shillong, Jabalpur, Varanasi, Ranchi, Jameshedpur and Agartala among other places. They have also toured the world with their shows, the high point being the Banga Sammelan in the US where NRI Bengalis flock to listen to their colourful and humour-laced dramas. Jagannath and Urmimala are especially popular among young probashi Bengalis who want to have a better grip over their mother tongue. The Boses are also aware of their social responsibilities at the same time. They never say no to any call for social service, despite their professional commitments.

After a long career of 25 years, Jagannath and Urmimala now conduct extensive workshops on talk theatre. They train participants in voice modulation, pronunciation and diction. Their students, past and present, are making a mark in the city's performing arts field. web site: www.jagannath-urmimala.com