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VI ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OFINDIAN SOCIETY FOR THEATRE RESEARCH(In association with International Federation for Theatre Research andInternational 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 coursethere are different kinds of writings on contemporary Indian Theatre start from newspaper reviews on productions in many Indian vernacular languages and English. Thereare popular writings on different approaches towards theatre by different directors andexponents in terms of productions and its styles with the support of diverse concepts incontinuation to different movements emerged in India and abroad. Many of the writingsare 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 recentlytalking about the whole Indian Theatre especially done during the post independenceperiod which mostly focuses on the theatre happened in and around urban areas. Thesestatements are not devoid of the facts of Indian theatre discourse practiced arounddifferent elements of Natyasastra by Abhinava Gupta, Nandikeswara, Mammata etc. Theinterpretations on Natyasastra form a significant amount of tangible knowledge materialregarding the tool kits articulated by Bharatha on theatre production, process andreception.In modern context, while we consider the phenomenon of performance as aninclusive concept ranging from daily life’s performance observations through folk andclassical to avant-garde initiatives, need less to say that there are innumerable areas to beexplored in the area of Indian performance tradition with the support of diversetheoretical tools from Natyasastra to current theories. Once we see performance /theatreas a product of social process and its craft as a product of extensive enquiries to discovera new means, there are tremendous potentials for further research and enquiry. At thesame time the research has to be done on the theatre discourse happened aroundNatyasastra and on the writings on Indian performance traditions critically. The frequentcrossover of Indian theatre with various international criticism and writing streams duringthe second half of the 20

century has also left lot of impact on the contemporaryscenario, which of course, is a subject of intensive study. The conference will beaddressing the diverse and multiple nature of Indian theatre criticism and its lacunas, itspresent 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 underthe wider rubric of

Indian Theatre- Criticism and Writings: National and International Perspective:

Theatre commentaries and critical writings in Classical Sanskrit period2.

Socio-Political issues and theatre criticism during British colonial India

Major issues of literary and journalistic writings during pre-independent India4.

Theatre writings during Indian freedom struggle and censorship5.

Socio-political undertones during the post colonial theatre criticism anddiscourse6.

Professional and amateur theatre and theatre criticism7.

Comparatives with international counter parts.8.

International impact on literary and journalistic criticism9.

Critical assessment of contemporary situation10.

Regional theatre and criticismWe welcome proposals for general conference and for the Research Scholars’ Forumdealing with the subject. Papers must be no longer than twenty (20) minutes. ResearchScholars may also submit short proposals for 10-minute papers on their research forpresentation in specially organized sessions. All proposals should contain: author; title;200-250 word abstract; intended audience [i.e., General Conference, or ResearchScholars Forum]; indication of required technical facilities; brief biographical note on theauthor; full postal address; fax number and e-mail-address.

The format for proposalsshould be sent by electronic mail atistr2010@gmail.com.A.

Conference Venue: Department of Hindi, Sardar Patel University,Vallabh Vidya Nagar, Distt. Anand, Gujrat.(Vallabh Vidyanagar is well connected by rail, androad transportation. The nearest international airportis Ahmadabad at 200 KM and Vadodara (known asBaroda also) at 35 Km distance with frequent

to and fro

transportation facility.Deadlines:a.

Submission of abstracts: 30 September 2009b.

Early registration 30 November 2009ISTR Conference Fee:a.

Early registrationi.

National participants: INR 1500ii.

Research Students (National) INR 750iii.

International participants USD 75b.

Late Registrationi.

National participants: INR 2000ii.

Research Students (National) INR 1000iii.

International participants USD 90