Behind the Face
'Bahurupee' is a primitive form of folk-theatre, found predominantly in West Bengal, which has a long heritage over 300 years. In Sanskrit language 'Bahu' means many and 'Rup' means form; thus, the meaning of "Bahurupee' is the art of taking on many forms. The artistes, who are practicing the art of 'bahurupee, masquerade themselves as gods or beasts or demons or normal characters - like saints or madman, etc. With the help of these guises they amuse people and earn their livelihood. Once it was time when almost in every rural locality of Bengal, the Bahurupee artists were found. But now the situation is different. Only few artistes are found in small areas of Bengal. Tawdry dress and colourful makeup cannot obliterate the actual tragedy of their poverty and decline. Tears often mingle with their fake smile. In this documentary, travelling along the road of history, it is tried to draw a map as well as analyse, from the socio-economic angle, the rise and fall of this ancient folk form of Bengal.
- Runtime
- 1h 49m
- Released
- 2024
- Country
- India
Details
Release year: 2024
Storyline
'Bahurupee' is a primitive form of folk-theatre, found predominantly in West Bengal, which has a long heritage over 300 years. In Sanskrit language 'Bahu' means many and 'Rup' means form; thus, the meaning of "Bahurupee' is the art of taking on many forms. The artistes, who are practicing the art of 'bahurupee, masquerade themselves as gods or beasts or demons or normal characters - like saints or madman, etc. With the help of these guises they amuse people and earn their livelihood. Once it was time when almost in every rural locality of Bengal, the Bahurupee artists were found. But now the situation is different. Only few artistes are found in small areas of Bengal. Tawdry dress and colourful makeup cannot obliterate the actual tragedy of their poverty and decline. Tears often mingle with their fake smile. In this documentary, travelling along the road of history, it is tried to draw a map as well as analyse, from the socio-economic angle, the rise and fall of this ancient folk form of Bengal.
Top credits
- Dhaneswar Bairagya — Self (Bahurupee Artiste)
- Subaldas Bairagya — Self (Bahurupee Artiste)
- Guju Bajikar — Seldf (Bahurupee Artiste)
- Malini Bhattacharya — Self (Expert)
Technical specs
- Sound mix
- Stereo
- Aspect ratio
- 16 : 9
- Color
- Color
Photos 8
