CDS 2022(I)

Indian Theatre History

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who among the following pioneering women serialized her autobiography Amar Katha between 1910 and 1913?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept The rise of professional public theatre in Bengal allowed women from the fringes of society to become iconic cultural figures and document their lives.

Explanation Binodini Dasi (also known as Nati Binodini) serialized her autobiography 'Amar Katha' (My Story) between 1910 and 1913.

Logical Breakup
Option A is Correct: She was a leading actress of the Great National Theatre and worked closely with Girish Chandra Ghosh.
Significance: Her work is a rare account of the professional and social challenges faced by women in the performing arts in colonial India.

Active Recall

Question

What title is Binodini Dasi often given in Indian theatre history?

Answer

She is known as 'Nati Binodini' and is considered the first star of the public Bengali stage.

Core Insight

Amar Katha is not just an autobiography but a critical critique of the patriarchy within the so-called 'Renaissance' of 19th-century Bengal.