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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 TheatreTable 1
Classical Sanskrit Folk Modern
Place of
performance
Normally performed privately or
semi-privatelyin palaces or rich
homes, or in temple courts
Performed in open grounds or
in pandals
Auditoriums
Auditorium Design of auditorium described inNatyashastra.
Stage Use features like back-stage,
front-stage, wings and curtains
Themes Plays written by dramatistswell
structured. Themes of love, grief,
myths etc
Folk legends and myths. Later
themes focusing on social
conditions became important
Dramas began to take up
social themes, voice political
unrest, express resentment
against alien rule
Acting Actors use rich gesture language
and facial expressions to
communicate effectively
atmosphere and situation
Spontaneous, simple and
sometimes crude. Combines
music, dance and acting
Other
characteristics
Standard form More regional in form
Prominent folk theatre forms
Keralaa. Mudiyettu
i. Ritualistic dance dramaii. Performed annually in Kali
temples
iii. Signifies triumph of good over evil as Kali vanquishes the
demon Darikaiv. Included in UNESCO list of Oral and Intangible
Heritage of Humanity (2010)
b. Krishnattamc. Kudiyattam (Sanskrit theatre)d. Theyyam
Assamo Anika Nat (one act play)
Rajasthano Bhavaio Khyal (dance drama)
Haryanao Saang
Kashmir
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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 Rasleelao Ramleela
Important Dramatists
Classical
Asvaghosa - Buddhacharita KalidasaAbhijnanasakuntalam,
Meghduta,
Kumarsambhava
Bhasa - Madhyamavyayoga Shudrak - Mricchkatika Vishakahdatta -
Madrarakshasa BhavabhutiMahaveercharita
Modern
Dinbandhu MitraNeeldarpan Aga Hashra Kashmiri (aka Indian
Shakespeare?)
Bhartendu Harishchandra Jaishankar Prasad Habib TanveerMitti ki
Gadi, Charandas Chor Mohan RakeshAshadha ka ek din Dharamveer
BhartiAndha Yug Vijay TendulkarShantata Court Chalu Ahe,
Ghasiram Kotwal Girish KarnadTughlaq, Yayati
Puppet Theatre
Rajasthani Kathaputlio 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 workerso Krishnaji Prabhakar Khadilkars
Kichaka Vadha relected nationalist sentiments
