Fritz Bennewitz in India

"The narrative that unfolds in Fritz Bennewitz in India documents major cross-cultural collaborations, and is a much-needed counterpoint to other forms of Euro-American interculturalism." -- Aparna Dharwadker, Professor of English and Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison "Fritz Bennewitz's work was a major contribution to Indian theatre and his letters are a valuable testimony and record of it. The translators have performed a wonderful feat in translating the original German into sensitive and highly readable English prose." -- Vasudha Dalmia, Professor Emerita of Hindi and Modern South Asian Studies, University of California, Berkeley

This volume offers the first comprehensive analysis of the work of East German theatre director Fritz Bennewitz in India between 1970 and 1994.

This volume offers the first comprehensive analysis of the work of East German theatre director Fritz Bennewitz in India between 1970 and 1994. Joerg Esleben has gathered together many of Bennewitz’ own writings, most published for the first time, in which he reflects on his production of plays by Bertolt Brecht, Shakespeare, Goethe, Chekhov, and Volker Braun. By translating these writings into English, the editors have provided unprecedented access to Bennewitz’ thinking about intercultural work in India.  This material is illuminated by explanatory annotations, contextualized commentary, and critical perspectives from Bennewitz’s former colleagues in India and other leading scholars. Through its kaleidoscope of perspectives, Fritz Bennewitz in India offers a significant counter to dominant models of Western theatrical interculturalism.