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Origins: Prominent Folk Theatre Forms

Indian theatre has origins dating back to ancient times as shown in drawings in caves depicting dance, music, and drama. Classical Sanskrit theatre was typically performed privately for elites and in temples, following guidelines in the Natyashastra, while folk theatre was more open and addressed social themes. Major folk theatre forms developed regionally across India and important classical dramatists included Kalidasa and Bhasa. Modern Indian drama emerged in the late 19th century addressing issues like social reform and nationalism. Initiatives like the National School of Drama have helped support Indian theatre.

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Prashant Suryawanshi
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149 views3 pages

Origins: Prominent Folk Theatre Forms

Indian theatre has origins dating back to ancient times as shown in drawings in caves depicting dance, music, and drama. Classical Sanskrit theatre was typically performed privately for elites and in temples, following guidelines in the Natyashastra, while folk theatre was more open and addressed social themes. Major folk theatre forms developed regionally across India and important classical dramatists included Kalidasa and Bhasa. Modern Indian drama emerged in the late 19th century addressing issues like social reform and nationalism. Initiatives like the National School of Drama have helped support Indian theatre.

Uploaded by

Prashant Suryawanshi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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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 Theatre


Table 1

Place of performance Auditorium Stage Themes

Classical Sanskrit Normally performed privately or semi-privately in palaces or rich homes, or in temple courts Design of auditorium described in Natyashastra. Use features like back-stage, front-stage, wings and curtains Plays written by dramatists well structured. Themes of love, grief, myths etc Actors use rich gesture language and facial expressions to communicate effectively atmosphere and situation Standard form

Folk Performed in open grounds or in pandals

Modern Auditoriums

Folk legends and myths. Later themes focusing on social conditions became important Spontaneous, simple and sometimes crude. Combines music, dance and acting More regional in form

Dramas began to take up social themes, voice political unrest, express resentment against alien rule

Acting

Other characteristics

Prominent folk theatre forms


Kerala a. Mudiyettu i. Ritualistic dance drama ii. Performed annually in Kali temples iii. Signifies triumph of good over evil as Kali vanquishes the demon Darika iv. Included in UNESCO list of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (2010) b. Krishnattam c. Kudiyattam (Sanskrit theatre) d. 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

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