THEATRES OF INDIA

INTRODUCTION
Theatre in India is one of the oldest and richest traditions of performing arts, combining acting, music, dance, dialogue and ritual. Indian theatre has evolved from ancient Sanskrit drama to diverse regional folk and classical forms. Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra is regarded as the earliest and most authoritative treatise on dramaturgy, aesthetics and performance techniques. Early references to dramatic dialogue are found in the Samvada-Sukta hymns of the Rigveda. Archaeological evidence such as the Sitabengra cave in Chhattisgarh, considered one of the world’s oldest amphitheatres, further highlights the antiquity of Indian theatre traditions.

ABHINAYA (ACTING) – AS PER NATYASHASTRA
Natya Shastra classifies Abhinaya into four types:
- Angika Abhinaya: Expression through body movements, limbs and gestures
- Vachika Abhinaya: Expression through speech, dialogue, chanting and singing
- Aharya Abhinaya: Expression through costume, makeup, ornaments and stage props
- Sattvika Abhinaya: Expression through genuine internal emotions such as joy, sorrow, fear and anger

ANCIENT INDIAN PLAYWRIGHTS AND PLAYS

Ashvaghosha
- First known playwright in Indian history
- Sariputra-Prakarana in Sanskrit
- Theme: Conversion to Buddhism

Bhasa
- Swapnavasavadatta: King Udayana and Queen Vasavadatta
- Karnabhara and Urubhanga: Tragic Sanskrit plays
- Pratigyayogandharaya: Political intrigue of Yaugandharaya

Kalidasa
- Abhijnana Shakuntalam
- Malavikagnimitram
- Vikramorvasiyam

Vishakadatta
- Mudrarakshasa
- Devichandraguptam

Shudraka
- Mrichchakatikam (The Little Clay Cart)

King Harshavardhana
- Ratnavali

Bhavabhuti
- Mahaviracharita
- Uttaramcharita
- Malatimadhava

SALIENT FEATURES OF SANSKRIT DRAMA
- Four to seven acts
- Happy endings
- Male protagonist
- Ritualistic beginning
- Emphasis on Rasa theory

FOLK THEATRES OF INDIA

Bhand Pather – Kashmir
Bhavai – Gujarat and Rajasthan
Swang – Rajasthan, Haryana, Western UP
Nautanki – Uttar Pradesh
Rasleela – Uttar Pradesh
Jatra – Eastern India
Maach – Madhya Pradesh
Bhaona – Assam
Tamasha – Maharashtra
Dashavatar – Konkan and Goa
Krishnattam – Kerala
Mudiyettu – Kerala
Theyyam – Kerala
Koodiyattam – Kerala
Yakshagana – Karnataka
Therukoothu – Tamil Nadu
Harikatha – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Burra Katha – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Ankiya Naat – Assam
Veedhi Natakam – Andhra Pradesh

 

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Subject: Art and Culture

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