Eminent theatre personality Ramaprasad Banik dead

KOLKATA - Renowned theatre personality Ramaprasad Banik died at a private hospital in Kolkata following respiratory problems, family sources said Tuesday.

Banik, 55, who was hospitalised on Dec 25, died around 11.50 p.m. Monday. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Equally adept as a playwright, actor and director, Banik had a nearly half a century-long association with the Bengali stage having made a beginning as a child actor in doyen Sambhu Mitra’s theatre group Bahurupee.

Under Mitra’s tutelage, he worked in plays like “Putul Khela”, “Dashachakra”, “Chhera Tar”, “Chhar Addhaye” and “Raktakarabi”, and got rave reviews for his acting in “Jadi Arekbar”.

In 1981, Banik left Bahurupee and formed his group Chena Mukh, which came up with much-acclaimed productions like “Pakhi”, “Ranee Kahini” and “Aguntuk” under his direction.

In 1991, he formed another Group Theatre Passion and directed plays like “Trata”, “Tempest” and “Anukul” that left the audiences spellbound.

He was given the national scholarship for his contribution to theatre and also received awards from the All India Critic Circle and Paschim Banga Natya Akademi. Banik toured the US, Canada and Britain with his theatre group.

Besides the stage, he also acted in several films and television serials, leaving his mark in a wide range of roles.