Since the 1960s, Bangla Natok (Bengali Drama), has helped Bengali immigrants in London keep their connections with ‘back home’
The vibrant and historically significant Bangla drama scene in East London is set to be meticulously documented and shared with the public, thanks to a generous grant of £75,361 awarded to Tower Hamlets Council by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This unique research project, titled “Narratives of Time,” aims to capture the rich evolutionary history of Bangla Natok (Bengali Drama) in East London through oral history and in-depth research.
The theatre movement gained momentum following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, as it played a pivotal role in raising awareness and garnering support for the independence movement.
Since the 1960s, Bangla Natok has played a crucial role in helping Bengali immigrants in London maintain their cultural connections with their homeland. The theatre movement gained momentum following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, as it played a pivotal role in raising awareness and garnering support for the independence movement. The scene continued to develop throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and further in the early 2000s, with initiatives such as the annual Season of Bangla Drama, which was launched by Tower Hamlets Council in 2003.
The “Narratives of Time” project will delve into the history of Bangla Natok in East London, exploring theatre, storytelling, playwriting, and community progression from 1963 to 2013. Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, the project will uncover how a small group of Bengali immigrants kept their drama traditions alive upon their arrival in London and how these traditions evolved over several decades.
Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation at Tower Hamlets Council, highlighted the significance of the project: “Bengali drama in the East End did not develop in isolation. It is associated with factors such as interactions with mainstream theatre, socio-political influences from Bangladesh and elsewhere, and the multi-faceted heritage and changing landscape of East London. We are excited to be part of the Narratives of Time project, which will help unveil the rich history of how a small group of people kept Bengali drama alive when they first migrated to London and helped it grow over several decades.”
The project will recruit community participants, who will be known as theatrical heritage researchers. These individuals will receive training in oral history, theatre making, interviewing, and archival research. They will visit Tower Hamlets Local History and Archives, Queen Mary University Drama Department, and London Metropolitan Archives to gather contextual information from a wide range of sources.
We are excited to be part of the Narratives of Time project, which will help unveil the rich history of how a small group of people kept Bengali drama alive when they first migrated to London and helped it grow over several decades.
Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation
In addition to their research activities, the participants will blog about their progress and engage with the wider public through a structured social media engagement programme. The project will also record the oral histories of community playwrights, actors, producers, and directors, and collect Bengali and English drama scripts and publicity material.
The outcomes of the “Narratives of Time” project will be communicated to the wider community through exhibitions, digital material, and a drama performance. The project will culminate in a celebration at the Brady Arts Centre in November next year, as part of A Season of Bangla Drama 2026.
This initiative not only promises to preserve and share the rich heritage of Bangla Natok in East London but also to provide a platform for community engagement and cultural celebration. Through the efforts of Tower Hamlets Council and the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will ensure that the stories and contributions of Bengali immigrants to London’s cultural landscape are recognised and cherished for generations to come.
