THEATRE

BHAND PATHER
From Kashmir.
Theme: Satire.
Instruments: Surnai,Dhol, Nagara.

SWANG
From Haryana. Two forms presently ~ Rohtak(Haryana) and
Hathras(Western uttar Pradesh).
Theme: Various themes ranging from religious to daily life.
Languages: Haryanavi and Braj.

NAUTANKI
From Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Kanpur, Lucknow and Hathras.
Theme: Taken from Dohas, Chaupais, Chaubolas and from Kabir’s Bijak.

RASLILA
Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Theme: Affairs of the Krishna with the Gopis.

BHAWAI
Gujarat.
Theme: Devotional to romantic.
Instruments: Tabla, flute and Pakhawaj.

JATRAS
Always organised in fairs in honour of gods. Emerged from West Bengal
when “Chaitanya Mahaprabhu” popularised it. Two subtypes~ Krishna jatra
in Bengal.
Dand Jatra in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. People from Uttar Pradesh and
Bihar also started jatras but not based on religious themes.

MACH
Madhya Pradesh.
Theme: Taken from daily life.

BHAONA
Assam.
It is a presentation of Ankia Naat of Assam. Later it also became popular in
Bengal, Odisha, Mathura and Vrindavan .
Theme: Krishna’s life.

TAMASHA
Maharashtra
Propounded by the Koli community of fisherman.One of the main feature is
“Lavani” music. Lightening footwork is the speciality of dance in lavani
music.

DASHAVATAR
Konkan and Goa region.
Theme: Ten incarnations of Vishnu. Used to wear a mask made up of paper
mache.

KRISHNATTAM
Kerala.
Theme: Krishna’s life.

RVANATTAM
Kerala

MUDIYETTU
Kerala. UNESCO heritage status of intangible art. Performed in kali
temples.
Theme. Win of Bhadrakali over Darikasur.

THEYYAM
Kerala. Derived from the word “Daivam” means god’s dance.

KOODIYATHAM / KOOTHIYATTAM
Kerala. Oldest surviving theatrical tradition of India. Theme is taken from
daily life and social, political, economic conditions of society.

YAKSHAGANA
Karnataka.
Theme: Puranas, Mostly form Mahabharata. It is a 10 day performance.

THERUKOOTHU
Tamil nadu. It is a street play performed during rainy season to please the
rain goddess mariamman.

PUPPETRY

Few remains of one string puppet were also found in Harappa excavations.
Indirectly puppetry is also mentioned in Natyashastra written by
Bharatmuni. Word “Sutradhar” is used in Natyashastra…

Puppetry can be classified into four categories.

STRING PUPPETRY: Made up of wood.

Kathputli Rajasthan
Kundhei Odisha
Gopalila Odisha
Gomboyetta Karnataka
Koya Bomalata Andhra/Telangana
Bommalattam Tamil Nadu
Kalsutri Bahulya Maharashtra
Tarer/Sutter Putul West Bengal

SHADOW PUPPETRY: Made up of leather

Tholu Bomalata Andhra/Telangana
Togalu Gomboyetta Karnataka
Chamadyche Bahulaya Maharashtra
Ravanchaya Odisha
Toolpavakoothu Kerala

GLOVE PUPPETRY: Interlocution using glove puppets.

Pavakoothu Kerala
Sakhi Kundhei Odisha
Ben Putul West Bengal

ROD PUPPETRY: Puppet’s length is more than above three categories.

Kathi Kundhei Odisha
Dang Putul Naach West Bengal
Yampuri Bihar.