Goutam Halder (born 9 December 1963[1]) is an Indian theatre and filmactor from Kolkata.[2][3][4] He has appeared in more than 50 theatrical productions since 1981 across various troupes, and is the recipient of several accolades including a State Award of Best Production for Meghnad Badh Kabya in 1995, State Award as Best Director for Chile Kothar Sepai in 1997,[5]Aditya Vikram Birla Kala Kiran Award by Government of Maharasthra in 2001 and Shyamal Sen Smriti Samman in 2013.[6]
After graduating from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara Goutam Halder followed his heart into theatrical pursuits where he started gaining tutelage in Nandikar’s Comprehensive Theatre Training, 1986-87 where he gained knowledge, experience and practice under stalwarts like Rudraprasad Sengupta (Guru), Shombhu Mitra (Theatre legend), Khaled Chowdhury(Acclaimed scenographer), Tapas Sen (renowned Lighting Designer), Martin Russell (Fools Theatre, New York) among others.[7]
Halder’s career began with his portrayal of Jaisingha in Bisarjan at Bhatpara Sanskritik Chakra which had been directed by Hara Bhattacharya. After completion of his training programme at Nandikar, he went on to direct and act in plays like Football (1986), Shesh Shakkhatkar (1988), Pheriwalar Mrityu(1993), Meghnad Badh Kabya (1995), Nagar Kirtan (1997), Sojon Badiyar Ghat (2003) among multiple others, under the banner of Nandikar. In 2009, he formed his own troupe Naye Natua which has also produced multiple successful plays. He is the President of the troupe.
He has been trained in Kathak at Padatik Dance Centre under Guru Vijay Shankar. He has also dedicatedly learnt Bharatnatyam in Kerala Kalamandalam under Guru Govindan Kutty and Thankamani Kutty. He has been learning Modern dance and Movement and Martial Arts under Guru Sudipta Kundu since 2000. He has also trained himself in Classical vocal music under Guru Ashis Chattopadhyay and Guru Prabir Datta since 1986.[10]
Performing arts career
Goutam Halder in Meghnad Badh Kabya
After completion of his Graduation, Halder began his career at Nandikar with the play Football (1986), directed by Rudraprasad Sengupta where he played the lead role of Hari. Following his start, he starred in other plays directed by Rudraprasad Sengupta like Shesh Shakkhatkar (1988), Sankhapurer Sukanya (1990)[11] and Pheriwalar Mrityu (1993).[12] Apart from Nandikar, Goutam Halder has also worked with other troupes and played significant and leading roles in their productions. They include Mephisto (2002),[13] Shah Jahan (Natyaranga, 2003), Meyeti (Kalyani Natyacharcha Kendra, 2008), Dream Dream (Sansriti, 2009), Bisarjan (Tritiyo Sutra, 2010), Itsy Bitsy (Hate Khori, 2012), Caligula (Prachyo, 2013), Altaf Gomes (Sansriti, 2013), Arabya Rajani (Paikpara Indraranga, 2014), Mumbai Nights (Minerva Repertoire Theatre, 2015), Kalkreta (Swapnalu, 2015), Ila Gurdhoisha (Theatre Platform, 2015), Nilima (Prachyo, 2016), Mudrarakhshash (Belgharia Angan, 2016) and Chayapother Seshe (Natyorongo, 2023).[14]
Theatrical Career as an actor and director
Goutam Halder made his directorial debut in Nandikar with Meghnadbadh Kabya[15] in 1995, followed by Nagar Kirtan (1997), Brechter Khonje (1998), Calcutta Calcutta (1999), Ei Sahar Ei Somoy (2000), Maramiya Mon (2000), Borda (2002), Kabye Gaane (2002), Sojon Badiyar Ghat (2003) and Amake Dekhun (2007). He has also played the lead role in the following plays as well.
Goutam Halder as Othello
After forming his own troupe, Naye Natua in 2009, he directed and acted in Jaal (2009), followed by plays like Jama Kharach (2009), Missed Call (2009), Meghnadbadh Kabya (2009, revived), Borda (2009, revived),[16] Amake Dekhun (2009, revival), Osama (2012), Lakshmir Pariksha (2012), Nana Range Rabi (2012), Othello (2013), Haoai (2015),[17] Thakurmar Jhuli (2015), Moimonsingha Geetika (2017),[18] Mrichchhakatika (2018), Nakshi Kathar Math (2020), Mitali (2022) and Doosra (2024).[19]
Career as a film actor: Goutam Halder has acted in films like Tadanto (dir. Nitish Roy), Alinagarer Golokdhadha (dir. Sayantan Ghoshal), Maya Mridanga (dir. Raja Sen), Shri Swapankumarer Badami Hyenar Kobole (dir. Debaloy Bhattacharya), Badnaam (dir.Nitish Mukherjee), Tara (dir. Bratya Basu), Artha (dir. Anjan Dutt) and Imaginary Line (dir. Josey Joseph).
Lectures and Workshops
Goutam Halder in Moimonsingha Geetika
Halder has given lectures at Georgia University, Athens, Georgia, USA, Edinburgh Theatre Festival, Scotland and International Dance & Theatre Festival, Goteborg, Sweden. Halder has also conducted various theatre workshops such as Naye Natua’s Theatre Training Programme, Nandikar’s annual Theatre Training Programme for the Young, Nandikar’s Theatre-in-Education Programmes in Secondary Schools since 1989, Nandikar’s Project In Search of Children’s Theatre,[20] Trainer at BLP for Murugappa Group of Industries, Chennai, Trainer-Judge at British Council Theatre Festival among various others. He has also conducted various workshops at various others troupes all over India.
