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 Classical Sanskrit Folk Modern Place of performance Normally performed privately or semi-privately in palaces or rich homes, or in temple courts Performed in open grounds or in pandals Auditoriums Auditorium Design of auditorium described in Natyashastra. Stage Use features like back-stage, front-stage, wings and curtains
Themes Plays written by dramatists well 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 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