Piyal Bhattacharya

🪔 About

Piyal Bhattacharya is an Indian theatre director, Natyashastra scholar, and dancer from Kolkata, West Bengal. He received extensive training in Kathakali under Kalamandalam Balasubramanian at Kerala Kalamandalam for six to seven years. His profound interest in Indian classical performing arts was further ignited in 1997 after witnessing a performance by dancer-scholar Padma Subrahmanyam, which led him to a serious study of the Natyashastra and Sanskrit plays. Bhattacharya also delved into musicology, studying under various gurus and mastering several musical instruments, including Rudraveena, Sarasvathi-veena, Pung-Achoba, and Haveli Sangeet, alongside training in Kalaripayattu. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in reconstructing Marga Natya, a holistic system of performance derived from Bharata's Natyashastra. This system harmoniously integrates music (Gītam), instruments (Vādyam), dance (Nṛtyam), and drama (Nāṭyam). His research encompasses the reconstruction of Karana (dance), Vachikabhinaya (vocal acting), Aharya (costume and make-up), Angahara (body movements), ancient musical instruments, and the Gandharva system of singing. Bhattacharya has directed numerous Sanskrit plays and dance dramas, which have been showcased at prominent national and international festivals. As an institution builder, he founded the Spanda Art Space and the Chidakash Kalalay Centre of Art and Divinity in Kolkata, dedicated to the practice and promotion of Marga Natya. He also serves as a visiting faculty member at the National School of Drama, Sikkim. For his significant contributions to Sanskrit Theatre, Piyal Bhattacharya was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2023 and the honorary title of 'Mahāmahopādhyāya'. He has also been awarded fellowships from the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for his research and efforts in safeguarding India's intangible cultural heritage. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2023), Mahāmahopādhyāya, Fellowship (2010), Fellowship (2011), Grant for 'Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage of India' (2014).