QUICK REVISION MODULE ( UPSC PRELIMS 2024) ART & CULTURE

INDIAN THEATRE
Origin
Sitabena and Jogimara caves represent the world’s oldest amphitheatres.
Bharat Muni’s Natya Shastra (200 BC and 200 AD) first formal treatise on
dramaturgy.

Classical Sanskrit Theatre

Sanskrit word ‘nataka’, ‘nata’ means a dancer.
Lokadharmi: Depictions of daily life.
Natyadharmi: More stylised narration and overt symbolism.

Folk theatre
Rural roots and the rustic flavour.
Devotional themes initially and later more secular themes.
Propagation of social wisdom than mere social entertainment.

www.visionias.in Vision IAS 1

 Rupaka, Drishyakavya Sariputraprakarana by
and Preksakavya used to Ashvaghosha and
describe drama. Mricchakatika by Sudraka

CLASSICAL
SANSKRIT
THEATRE
Kalidasa's works like
Malavikagnimitram, Mudrarakshasa by
Vikramorvashi and Shaku- Visakhadatta and
ntalam Bhavabhuti's Ratnavali by
Uttaramacharita and Harshavardhana
Mahaviracharita

10th century AD in Margi Madhu Chakyar

Koothiyattam Kerala. is a leading exponent
(Koodiyattam) India’s oldest of this art form.
continuing form of
theatre.

FOLK THEATRE
Ritual Theatre
Theatre Features
One-act play of Assam, started by Saint Sankaradeva.
Ankia Naat
Life of Lord Krishna.
(Assam) Use of 'khol' and 'cymbal' and use of masks.
Ramlila Enactment of Ramayana using songs.
(Uttar Pradesh) Generally performed by male actors.
Raslila (Gujarat) Love stories of Krishna and Radha.
Worshipping the dead ancestors, prevalent in coastal
Bhuta Aradhana
Karnataka.
(Karnataka)
Ritualistic theatre.
Dedicated to Bhumiyal Devta, the local deity.
Ramman
UNESCO's Representative list of the Intangible Cultural
(Uttarakhand)
Heritage of Humanity.

www.visionias.in Vision IAS 2

 NORTH, WEST AND EASTERN PART OF INDIA
Theatre Important aspects
Bhand Pather
Unique combination of dance, music and acting.
(Kashmir)
Swang Music-based, important styles of Swang are from Rohtak
(Uttar Pradesh) and Haathras.
Nautanki
Important centers Kanpur, Lucknow and Haathras.
(Uttar Pradesh)
Important centres are Kutch and Kathiawar. Instruments
Bhavai (Gujarat) used: bhungal, tabla, flute, pakhaawaj, rabaab, sarangi,
manjeera, etc.
Dashavatar (Konkan Personify the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu-the god of
and Goa regions) preservation and creativity.

Bhavai (Rajasthan) Extensive use of dance to narrate a series of small plays.

Kariyila (Himachal
Open-air theatre, staged during village fairs and festivals.
Pradesh)
Powada
Lauding the heroic deeds of Shivaji.
(Maharashtra)

Jatra (Bengal) Became popular due to Chaitanya's influence.

Maach (Madhya
Maach is used for the stage itself.
Pradesh)

Bhaona (Assam) Presentation of the Ankia Naat.

Tamaasha
In Tamaasha the female actress is the chief exponent of
(Maharashtra)
dance movements in the play.

Daskathia (Odisha) There are two narrators: Gayaka(chief) and co-narrator.

Garoda (Gujarat) 'Garoda' Brahmin community.

Associated with the festival of Manasha or the Serpent

Ojapali (Assam)
Goddess.
Naqal (Punjab) and Behroopiya or Naqalchi. Performed by artists from
Bhand (Uttar Pradesh) Muslim Bhand Community.

www.visionias.in Vision IAS 3

 THEATRES OF SOUTH INDIA

Krishnattam
Folk theatre of Kerala.
Patronage of King Manavada of
Calicut.
Theme of Lord Krishna.
Depicting victory of good over evil.
Mudiyettu
Traditional folk theatre form of Kerala.
Usually performed only in the Kali
temples of Kerala.
Triumph of goddess Bhadrakali over
the asura Darika.

Yakshagaana
Traditional theatre form of Karnataka.
Mythological stories and Puranas.
Themes of Mahabharata i.e. Draupadi
swayamvar, Subhadra vivah,
Abhimanyu vadh
Therukoothu
Folk drama of Tamil Nadu means
"street play".
Performed at the time of annual
temple festivals of Mariamman (Rain
goddess) to achieve rich harvest.

SOME OTHER THEATRES:

Theatre State

Villu Paatu Kerala and Tamil Nadu

Pagati Veshaalu Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Tal-Maddale Coastal Karnataka and Kerala

www.visionias.in Vision IAS 4

 Kuruvanji Tamil Nadu

Bayalata Karnataka

Theyyam Kerala

Bhuta Kola Karnataka

Burra Katha Andhra Pradesh

Copyright © by Vision IAS

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without prior permission of Vision IAS.

www.visionias.in Vision IAS 5