The Man Who Would Be Stage Queen
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Mumbai Theatre Guide
Apr 8, 2026, 8:37:50 AM (5 days ago) Apr 8
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Wednesday, 08 April 2026
Dear Reader,
The Man Who Would Be Stage Queen
Before women were allowed to act on stage, female parts were played by men. In Bengal, one of the biggest stars was Chapal Bhaduri.
In a review of the book, Chapal Rani: The Last Queen of Bengal, in bbc.com, Sudha G. Tilak writes, "Sandip Roy traces Bhaduri's journey from stardom to obscurity - and, in doing so, captures a vanishing world where gender itself was an act."
Born in 1939 in north Kolkata to stage actress Prabha Devi, Bhadhuri grew up around performers. He began acting at 16. "I had girlish manners, a girlish voice," he would later say.
"On stage, he transformed," writes Tilak. "He played queens, courtesans, goddesses and brothel madams with a studied grace. His costumes were carefully assembled and sometimes improvised. Early on, he used rags to shape the silhouette of his bosom. Later, he turned to sponge. His beauty routine included creams, small rituals in pursuit of an illusion he took seriously."
It is a fascinating account of an extraordinary life! They don't make men...or women...like Chapal any more.
The Man Who Would Be Stage Queen
Before women were allowed to act on stage, female parts were played by men. In Bengal, one of the biggest stars was Chapal Bhaduri.
In a review of the book, Chapal Rani: The Last Queen of Bengal, in bbc.com, Sudha G. Tilak writes, "Sandip Roy traces Bhaduri's journey from stardom to obscurity - and, in doing so, captures a vanishing world where gender itself was an act."
Born in 1939 in north Kolkata to stage actress Prabha Devi, Bhadhuri grew up around performers. He began acting at 16. "I had girlish manners, a girlish voice," he would later say.
"On stage, he transformed," writes Tilak. "He played queens, courtesans, goddesses and brothel madams with a studied grace. His costumes were carefully assembled and sometimes improvised. Early on, he used rags to shape the silhouette of his bosom. Later, he turned to sponge. His beauty routine included creams, small rituals in pursuit of an illusion he took seriously."
It is a fascinating account of an extraordinary life! They don't make men...or women...like Chapal any more.
"It was only in the theatre that I lived."
Oscar Wilde
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