Origins

Origins of Indian theatre not very well known

Drawings on caves show that dance, music and drama were an intrinsic part of the life of the people
Sitabengona and Jogimara (Ramgarh, MP) have structures that are possibly the oldest theatres of the world
IVC: a seal shows a person beating drum while other disguised as a tiger
A few hymns of the Rig Veda are in the monologue and dialogue form
Natyashastra evolved some guidelines for drama

Folk Theatre vs Classical Sanskrit Theatre

Table 1

Place of
performance
Auditorium
Stage
Themes
Acting
Other
characteristics

Classical Sanskrit
Normally performed privately or semi-privately
in palaces or rich homes, or in temple courts
Design of auditorium described in Natyashastra.
Use features like back-stage, front-stage, wings
and curtains
Plays written by dramatists well structured.
Themes of love, grief, myths etc
Actors use rich gesture language and facial
expressions to communicate effectively
atmosphere and situation
Standard form

Folk
Performed in open grounds or in pandals

Modern
Auditoriums

Folk legends and myths. Later themes

focusing on social conditions became
important
Spontaneous, simple and sometimes
crude. Combines music, dance and acting

Dramas began to take up social themes,

voice political unrest, express resentment
against alien rule

More regional in form

Prominent folk theatre forms

Kerala
o Mudiyettu
Ritualistic dance drama
Performed annually in Kali temples
Signifies triumph of good over evil as Kali vanquishes the demon Darika
Included in UNESCO list of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (2010)
o Krishnattam
o Kudiyattam (Sanskrit theatre)
o Theyyam
Assam
o Anika Nat (one act play)
Rajasthan
o Bhavai
o Khyal (dance drama)
Haryana
o Saang
Kashmir
o Jashin
Himachal Pradesh
o Karyala
Maharashtra
o Tamasha
TN: Therukkothu
Bengal, Orissa: Yatra
Goa: Zatra
UP: Nautanki
MP: Macha

North India in general

o Rasleela
o Ramleela

Important Dramatists
Classical

Asvaghosa - Buddhacharita
Kalidasa Abhijnanasakuntalam, Meghduta, Kumarsambhava
Bhasa - Madhyamavyayoga
Shudrak - Mricchkatika
Vishakahdatta - Madrarakshasa
Bhavabhuti Mahaveercharita

Modern

Dinbandhu Mitra Neeldarpan

Aga Hashra Kashmiri (aka Indian Shakespeare?)
Bhartendu Harishchandra
Jaishankar Prasad
Habib Tanveer Mitti ki Gadi, Charandas Chor
Mohan Rakesh Ashadha ka ek din
Dharamveer Bharti Andha Yug
Vijay Tendulkar Shantata Court Chalu Ahe, Ghasiram Kotwal
Girish Karnad Tughlaq, Yayati

Puppet Theatre

Rajasthani Kathaputli

o Legend of Amarsingh Rathore is very popular

Orissa: Sakhi Kundhei
Assam: Putla Nach
Maharashtra: Malasutri Bahuly
Karnataka: Gombeyatta
TN: Bommalattam
Kerala: Tolpavakoothy
AP: Tholu Bomalata

Modern Drama

New theatre movement was initiated in Bengal and Maharashtra

Influence of Europeans
European plays translated and staged
Themes: Dramas began to take up social themes, voice political unrest, express resentment against alien rule
o Deenbandhu Mitras Neeldarpan took the theme of the plight of the indigo plantation workers
o Krishnaji Prabhakar Khadilkars Kichaka Vadha relected nationalist sentiments
Indian Peoples Theatre Association (IPTA) became a part of the mass struggle of peasants, youth and workers
o It was the cultural wing of the CPI
Parsi theatre aimed at entertainment
Maharashtra
o Indian National Theatre
o Prithvi Theatre

Government Initiatives

National School of Drama, 1959