Bhaiya Singh Gazmer was a prominent actor and also dramatist of the Himalayan and Children`s Amusement Association of Nepali theatre in Darjeeling, north Bengal. He was born in 1898. Bhaiya Singh Gazmer was unique in his theme. Like his forerunners he wrote mythological drama, but to set social ideals. Not content with that, he raised questions directly and did not hesitate to attack social ills. Untouchability was one such evil; he used his plays, whenever opportunities afforded themselves, for its eradication. He dedicated his life to social service, but was an accomplished hand in the art of playwriting. His accurate dramatic sense never erred in unfolding situations and characters, and in seizing upon what measure of dialogue should suffice.
Bhaiya Singh Gazmer was a prolific writer who was great in his imagination. He wrote many plays. It is on record that he commenced Botalbasini Devi i.e. `Devi of Bottles` on 28 April 1927 and completed it on 5 May. There are more over twenty plays by him known to have been staged, some of them can be mentioned as Nala-Damayanti i.e. `Nala and Damayanti` in 1924, Parshuram in 1925, Swamibhakti i.e. `Devotion to Husband` in 1925, Karnarjun yuddha in `Battle of Kama and Arjun` in 1926, Jawaniko dhandha ankhako andha i.e. `Blindness of Youth` in 1926, Miss Mohini, B.A. in 1926, Bilwamangal in 1927, Ushaharan i.e. `Usha`s Abduction` in 1928, Savitri-Satyawan i.e. `Savitri and Satyawan` in 1929, and Premibalak i.e. `Lover Boy` in 1932. The HCAA paid him for his plays and he also received a weekly remuneration as an artiste till 1935. Afterwards, he had to tap meager other sources to make a living. No work of his has yet been published but many manuscripts, formerly preserved by the HCAA, are now in the possession of the Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan, Darjeeling. Bhaiya Singh Gazmer was a poet, he also composed bhajans for festive worship and ghazals in Nepali for musical meets. Bhaiya Singh Gazmer died in 1968.
