UPSC – Art & culture Important topics 2019
Theater forms In India is very crucial and less discussed topic in art and culture. we have compiled here as art & culture important topics focusing on Theater forms in India. We have included most important forms of theater only.
Origin of Theater forms in India
- Origins of Indian theatre cannot be traced exactly
- Drawings in caves gives some insight that dance, music, and drama was an internal part of the life of the people
- Sitabengona and Jogimara (Ramgarh, MP) have structures that are possibly the oldest theatres in 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
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Folk Theater vs Classical Sanskrit Theater
| 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 |
See Ancient Indian Architecture here
Prominent folk theater forms
Kerala – 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)
Krishnattam
- Story of Krishna
- Series of eight plays
- Firstly created by Manveda
- Player wears peacock feather
Kudiyattam (Sanskrit theatre)
- UNESCO’s recognized as “Masterpiece of oral and intangible Heritage of humanity”
- Dance worship
- Mani Madhav chakyar is main proponent
Theyyam
Assam
- Anika Nat (one act play)
Rajasthan
- Bhavai
- Khyal (dance drama)
Haryana
- Saang
Kashmir
- Jashin
Himachal Pradesh
- Karyala
Maharashtra
- Tamasha
TN: Therukkothu
Bengal, Orissa: Yatra
Goa: Zatra
UP: Nautanki
MP: Macha
North India in general
- Rasleela
- Ramleela
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Important Dramatists of Theater Forms in India
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
- Habeeb Tanvir – Mitti ki Gadi and 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 Kathakali
- 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
- Deenbandhu Mitra’s Neeldarpan took the theme of the plight of the indigo plantation workers
- Krishnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar’s Kichaka Vadha relected nationalist sentiments
- Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) became a part of the mass struggle of peasants, youth and workers
- It was the cultural wing of the CPI
- Parsi theatre aimed at entertainment
- Maharashtra
- Indian National Theatre
- Prithvi Theatre
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Previous articles –
- Various dynasties during 10th century.
- Delhi Sultanate
- India in 18th Century
- India with Decline of Mughals
- Sikhs and Marathas after Mughals
- Deccan, Sufism and Mughal art & architecture
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