Girish Chandra Ghosh Biography 
Girish Chandra Ghosh was a prominent musician, theater person and writer from Bengal. He is often referred to as the Father of Bengali Theatre and he has served Bengali theatre in the forms of direction, acting, music composition as well as playwright. He is the cofounder of the Great National Theatre, the first Bengali professional theatre company in 1872 and has contributed more than 40 playwrights. He was a noted disciple of Sri Ramakrishna in the later phase of his life. He has played a significant role in the emergence of Bengali theatre to its golden period.
He was born to Nilkamal and Raimani in Bagbazar, Kolkata, in 1844. He was their eighth child. He received his early education at Hare School, and later studied at Oriental Seminary. He lost both his parents at a younger age before his studies in Seminary. He was a prominent actor in the Bagbazar Amateur Theatre in the early phase of this artistic career. He along with another eminent contemporary actor, Ardhendu Mustafi performed in 'Sadhabar Ekadashi' by famous playwright Dinabandhu Mitra, which became a huge hit. Later Bagbazar Amateur was renamed in 1871 as the National Theatre. Meanwhile Girish started Great National Theatre in 1872, which was the first professional Bengali theater company. But its success was short lived and later he became associated with Minerva Theatre and Star theatre, where he served as manager.
The maiden show at the Star Theatre was 'Daksha Jagna'. With Binodini Dasi, he staged his play, Chaitanyalila. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was among the audience. He was an atheist till then. He lost all his dear ones including both his wives and 3 children. But he was deeply influenced by Paramahamsa which helped him to lessen his pains and became his disciple.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 06, 2014
