Formative years :
In his early childhood he was taught by his elder brother Hmendranath. Then he studied at St. Paul's and Montague's School and passed entrance examination (school leaving ) from Hindu School in 1864. The renowned historian and writer Ramesh Chandra Dutta was his classmate.While studying in Presidency College, he developed interest in the theatre and left his studies.Involvement in the theatre :
He formed a home theatre group and staged dramas. One of his cousins, Ganendranath, established the Jorasanko Natyasala in 1865. The first play to be staged was Krishnakumari written by Michael Madhusudan Dutta. Jyotirindranath acted in the role of Ahalyadevi, a brave queen. His early success developed in him a strong determination to be one of greatest playwrights of his age. He became involved in Hindu Mela and he recited poems and composed patriotic dramas to develop its cultural organisation. He also organised Biddvajjana Samagama as a support base of cultural program of Hindu Mela. This organisation also provided Rabindranath an opportunity to stage some of his plays and dance dramas. Jyotirindranath was elected General secretary of Hindu Mela in the ninth year of existence of the organisation.
Jyotirindranath (sitting), Satyendranath (centre) standing.
Works of Jyotirindranath :
Jyotirindranath wrote popular plays such as Purubikram (1874), Sarojini ( Rabindranath wrote a song to this Drama, Jwala jwala Chita, Dwigun-dwigun") (1875), Swapnamayi (1882). His noteworthy satires include Kinchit Jalajog, Eman karma ar karbo na, Hathat Nabab, Alik babu, Hathat Nabab was based on Moliere's Bougeois Gentilhomme. Purubikarma was based on raja Puru. Sarojini is a trajedy.
