VI ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF

INDIAN SOCIETY FOR THEATRE RESEARCH

(In association with International Federation for Theatre Research and
International Association of Theatre Critics)

[6-9 January 2010]

Indian Theatre- Criticism and Writings:
National and International Perspective
Concept Note
Any discourse on Theatre Criticism in India starts with a pertinent question,
whether there is a domain called Theatre Criticism in India in its’ strict sense? Of course
there are different kinds of writings on contemporary Indian Theatre start from news
paper reviews on productions in many Indian vernacular languages and English. There
are popular writings on different approaches towards theatre by different directors and
exponents in terms of productions and its styles with the support of diverse concepts in
continuation to different movements emerged in India and abroad. Many of the writings
are very much focused on literary aspects. Writings on productions with the support of
theory happen very seldom in Indian context. But there are several publications recently
talking about the whole Indian Theatre especially done during the post independence
period which mostly focuses on the theatre happened in and around urban areas. These
statements are not devoid of the facts of Indian theatre discourse practiced around
different elements of Natyasastra by Abhinava Gupta, Nandikeswara, Mammata etc. The
interpretations on Natyasastra form a significant amount of tangible knowledge material
regarding the tool kits articulated by Bharatha on theatre production, process and
reception.

In modern context, while we consider the phenomenon of performance as an

inclusive concept ranging from daily life’s performance observations through folk and
classical to avant-garde initiatives, need less to say that there are innumerable areas to be
explored in the area of Indian performance tradition with the support of diverse
theoretical tools from Natyasastra to current theories. Once we see performance /theatre
as a product of social process and its craft as a product of extensive enquiries to discover
a new means, there are tremendous potentials for further research and enquiry. At the
same time the research has to be done on the theatre discourse happened around
Natyasastra and on the writings on Indian performance traditions critically. The frequent
crossover of Indian theatre with various international criticism and writing streams during
the second half of the 20th century has also left lot of impact on the contemporary
scenario, which of course, is a subject of intensive study. The conference will be
addressing the diverse and multiple nature of Indian theatre criticism and its lacunas, its
present position and its required and essential new directions. Broadly the following sub-
themes, but not necessary to be limited, will be the constituents of the conference under
the wider rubric of Indian Theatre- Criticism and Writings: National and International
Perspective:

1. Theatre commentaries and critical writings in Classical Sanskrit period

2. Socio-Political issues and theatre criticism during British colonial India
 3. Major issues of literary and journalistic writings during pre-independent India
4. Theatre writings during Indian freedom struggle and censorship
5. Socio-political undertones during the post colonial theatre criticism and
discourse
6. Professional and amateur theatre and theatre criticism
7. Comparatives with international counter parts.
8. International impact on literary and journalistic criticism
9. Critical assessment of contemporary situation
10. Regional theatre and criticism

We welcome proposals for general conference and for the Research Scholars’ Forum
dealing with the subject. Papers must be no longer than twenty (20) minutes. Research
Scholars may also submit short proposals for 10-minute papers on their research for
presentation in specially organized sessions. All proposals should contain: author; title;
200-250 word abstract; intended audience [i.e., General Conference, or Research
Scholars Forum]; indication of required technical facilities; brief biographical note on the
author; full postal address; fax number and e-mail-address. The format for proposals
should be sent by electronic mail at istr2010@gmail.com .

A. Conference Venue: Department of Hindi, Sardar Patel University,

Vallabh Vidya Nagar, Distt. Anand, Gujrat.

(Vallabh Vidyanagar is well connected by rail, and

road transportation. The nearest international airport
is Ahmadabad at 200 KM and Vadodara (known as
Baroda also) at 35 Km distance with frequent to and
fro transportation facility.

Deadlines:
a. Submission of abstracts: 30 September 2009
b. Early registration 30 November 2009

ISTR Conference Fee:

a. Early registration
i. National participants: INR 1500
ii. Research Students (National) INR 750
iii. International participants USD 75

b. Late Registration
i. National participants: INR 2000
ii. Research Students (National) INR 1000
iii. International participants USD 90

Note-1: Conference Fee includes conference kit, access to

all conference events, cultural events and theatre
 shows, boarding in university accommodation for 4
nights including breakfast, lunch and dinner
(Arrival 6th and departure 10th January), coffee and
snacks during conference and other curtsy special
events.
• Those who need luxury accommodation may
book at their own level; however, the conference
organizers may help their best to find out the
suitable one.
• The conference organizers are working out the
best suitable airport and railway pick ups. A
separate notification will be circulated as soon
as it is finalized.
Note-2: The conference organizing committee is also trying
to arrange in collaboration with other cultural
institution, 3 theatre performances for the
conference delegates as following, however, it is
little early to give a definite picture.
2. Performance based on classical form
3. Performance of one folk theatre form
4. Performance of one modern play
5. Local sightseeing tour
Financial Logistics:
Due to financial paucity in the University and lack of other financial support,
ISTR and the Indian chapter of IATC is not in a position to provide any kind of
financial support towards the travel cost to national and international participants,
however, the efforts are being made to help the research scholars and students to
the maximum possible ways, which will be announced soon.

For further detail and contact:

Prof. N.K. Chauhan
Conference Coordinator
Head, Department of Hindi
SPU University
Vallabh Vidyanagar
Distt. Anand (Gujarat)
Email: spu.istr@gmail.com

You may also contact:

Prof. B. Ananthkrishnan
General Secretary (ISTR)
Email: ananthu60@gmail.com

Dr. Ravi Chaturvedi

President (ISTR)
Email: ravicvdi@gmail.com