NCERT Textbook: One Stage, Many Scripts | Arts (Kriti) Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

 Page 1


2
One Stage,  
Many Scripts
The most fundamental aspect of 
any performance is the script. 
It is important to write down 
your ideas and thoughts on 
paper to develop them further. 
In fact, that is why this textbook 
is written. It will not be enough for a teacher or a 
mentor to just talk about a concept and assume 
that you have understood and will remember it. 
Writing helps in multiple ways such as —
 ? Bringing clarity
 ? Building on idea with more creativity
 ? Sharing with others for collaborative work
 ? Helping you remember  and refer back when 
required
 ? Acting as record for future generations 
Writing takes many forms. You might be familiar 
with short stories, essays, poems, letters or emails, 
articles, or blogs. Not just that but every movie, TV 
show, web series, news telecast or documentary  
you watch also has a detailed scripts written for it. 
Writing, in it’s various forms, is the invisible thread 
that ties all communication together.
You will learn
 ? Types of scripts
 ? Genres in various forms
A page from the movie script ‘Harry Potter 
and the Sorcerer’s Stone’
ch-2_theater.indd   17 ch-2_theater.indd   17 27-06-2025   17:17:08 27-06-2025   17:17:08
Page 2


2
One Stage,  
Many Scripts
The most fundamental aspect of 
any performance is the script. 
It is important to write down 
your ideas and thoughts on 
paper to develop them further. 
In fact, that is why this textbook 
is written. It will not be enough for a teacher or a 
mentor to just talk about a concept and assume 
that you have understood and will remember it. 
Writing helps in multiple ways such as —
 ? Bringing clarity
 ? Building on idea with more creativity
 ? Sharing with others for collaborative work
 ? Helping you remember  and refer back when 
required
 ? Acting as record for future generations 
Writing takes many forms. You might be familiar 
with short stories, essays, poems, letters or emails, 
articles, or blogs. Not just that but every movie, TV 
show, web series, news telecast or documentary  
you watch also has a detailed scripts written for it. 
Writing, in it’s various forms, is the invisible thread 
that ties all communication together.
You will learn
 ? Types of scripts
 ? Genres in various forms
A page from the movie script ‘Harry Potter 
and the Sorcerer’s Stone’
ch-2_theater.indd   17 ch-2_theater.indd   17 27-06-2025   17:17:08 27-06-2025   17:17:08
SCRIPTS FOR STAGE
Play scripts are written works intended for the 
performance on stage, in ??lm, or on television. 
Depending on the kind of performance they 
are designed for they vary in structure, style 
and purpose. Some of the most common types 
of play scripts are listed below. Each type of 
play script serves a di??erent artistic purpose, 
re??ecting human experiences in unique ways. 
Understanding these types allows us to appreciate 
the diversity of theatrical storytelling. 
Play scripts in ancient India 
Ancient Indian thinkers use the term rupa or 
rupaka for drama. The ancient Indian writers 
mostly use a term drushya kavya (visible poetry). 
The writings usually combined the dialogue and 
poetry. So, all the Sanskrit play writers were also 
poets. The Na?yashastr a describes the di??erent 
types of writing drama! Let us  compare it with 
the current types of scripts —
Some ancient manuscripts written by Kalidasa on the bark of the birch tree
18  |  KRITI
ch-2_theater.indd   18 ch-2_theater.indd   18 19-06-2025   15:27:10 19-06-2025   15:27:10
Page 3


2
One Stage,  
Many Scripts
The most fundamental aspect of 
any performance is the script. 
It is important to write down 
your ideas and thoughts on 
paper to develop them further. 
In fact, that is why this textbook 
is written. It will not be enough for a teacher or a 
mentor to just talk about a concept and assume 
that you have understood and will remember it. 
Writing helps in multiple ways such as —
 ? Bringing clarity
 ? Building on idea with more creativity
 ? Sharing with others for collaborative work
 ? Helping you remember  and refer back when 
required
 ? Acting as record for future generations 
Writing takes many forms. You might be familiar 
with short stories, essays, poems, letters or emails, 
articles, or blogs. Not just that but every movie, TV 
show, web series, news telecast or documentary  
you watch also has a detailed scripts written for it. 
Writing, in it’s various forms, is the invisible thread 
that ties all communication together.
You will learn
 ? Types of scripts
 ? Genres in various forms
A page from the movie script ‘Harry Potter 
and the Sorcerer’s Stone’
ch-2_theater.indd   17 ch-2_theater.indd   17 27-06-2025   17:17:08 27-06-2025   17:17:08
SCRIPTS FOR STAGE
Play scripts are written works intended for the 
performance on stage, in ??lm, or on television. 
Depending on the kind of performance they 
are designed for they vary in structure, style 
and purpose. Some of the most common types 
of play scripts are listed below. Each type of 
play script serves a di??erent artistic purpose, 
re??ecting human experiences in unique ways. 
Understanding these types allows us to appreciate 
the diversity of theatrical storytelling. 
Play scripts in ancient India 
Ancient Indian thinkers use the term rupa or 
rupaka for drama. The ancient Indian writers 
mostly use a term drushya kavya (visible poetry). 
The writings usually combined the dialogue and 
poetry. So, all the Sanskrit play writers were also 
poets. The Na?yashastr a describes the di??erent 
types of writing drama! Let us  compare it with 
the current types of scripts —
Some ancient manuscripts written by Kalidasa on the bark of the birch tree
18  |  KRITI
ch-2_theater.indd   18 ch-2_theater.indd   18 19-06-2025   15:27:10 19-06-2025   15:27:10
TYPES OF SCRIPTS
DASHA RUPAKA (NA?YASHASTRA) Classification in scriptss
Nataka has 5 to 10 acts based on the stories on kings or 
divine beings with love, heroism or pathos.
One-act plays are short dramatic works, typically lasting 
10 – 30 minutes, that focus on a single, dominant and 
dramatic situation or con??ict within a single act.
Prakarana has upto 10 acts. It is an entirely invented plot, 
based on the society.
Two-act plays are stories with a climactic midpoint where 
the stakes rise or the protagonist's goal changes.
Bhana is a one-act play with an invented plot based on the 
rogues and heroism.
Three-act structure is a common plot structure used in 
??lms and television, divided into setup, confrontation, and 
resolution.
Prahasana is a one-act play based on the humour and 
happy contexts. It is comical in nature.
Linear, cyclical and non-linear are di??erent ways to 
structure the plot, including ??ashbacks and  
non-chronological storytelling.
Dima has four acts based on a popular story, including 
Devas and Asuras.
Adapted script is based on pre-existing materials like 
novels, books, poetry, short stories or historical events.
Vyayoga is a one-act play based on the traditional heroic 
stories that are non-comical.
Samavakara has 3 – 4 acts based on the traditional stories 
of Devas and Asuras.
Anka (Utsrishtanka) is a one-act play that is composed 
primarily based on the karuna rasa.
Ihamrga is a four-act play that mixes popular stories and 
??ction based on pauranik stories.
Veethi is a one-act play with just 2 – 3 characters that can 
be performed at any location.
19  | One Stage, Many Scripts
ch-2_theater.indd   19 ch-2_theater.indd   19 19-06-2025   15:27:11 19-06-2025   15:27:11
Page 4


2
One Stage,  
Many Scripts
The most fundamental aspect of 
any performance is the script. 
It is important to write down 
your ideas and thoughts on 
paper to develop them further. 
In fact, that is why this textbook 
is written. It will not be enough for a teacher or a 
mentor to just talk about a concept and assume 
that you have understood and will remember it. 
Writing helps in multiple ways such as —
 ? Bringing clarity
 ? Building on idea with more creativity
 ? Sharing with others for collaborative work
 ? Helping you remember  and refer back when 
required
 ? Acting as record for future generations 
Writing takes many forms. You might be familiar 
with short stories, essays, poems, letters or emails, 
articles, or blogs. Not just that but every movie, TV 
show, web series, news telecast or documentary  
you watch also has a detailed scripts written for it. 
Writing, in it’s various forms, is the invisible thread 
that ties all communication together.
You will learn
 ? Types of scripts
 ? Genres in various forms
A page from the movie script ‘Harry Potter 
and the Sorcerer’s Stone’
ch-2_theater.indd   17 ch-2_theater.indd   17 27-06-2025   17:17:08 27-06-2025   17:17:08
SCRIPTS FOR STAGE
Play scripts are written works intended for the 
performance on stage, in ??lm, or on television. 
Depending on the kind of performance they 
are designed for they vary in structure, style 
and purpose. Some of the most common types 
of play scripts are listed below. Each type of 
play script serves a di??erent artistic purpose, 
re??ecting human experiences in unique ways. 
Understanding these types allows us to appreciate 
the diversity of theatrical storytelling. 
Play scripts in ancient India 
Ancient Indian thinkers use the term rupa or 
rupaka for drama. The ancient Indian writers 
mostly use a term drushya kavya (visible poetry). 
The writings usually combined the dialogue and 
poetry. So, all the Sanskrit play writers were also 
poets. The Na?yashastr a describes the di??erent 
types of writing drama! Let us  compare it with 
the current types of scripts —
Some ancient manuscripts written by Kalidasa on the bark of the birch tree
18  |  KRITI
ch-2_theater.indd   18 ch-2_theater.indd   18 19-06-2025   15:27:10 19-06-2025   15:27:10
TYPES OF SCRIPTS
DASHA RUPAKA (NA?YASHASTRA) Classification in scriptss
Nataka has 5 to 10 acts based on the stories on kings or 
divine beings with love, heroism or pathos.
One-act plays are short dramatic works, typically lasting 
10 – 30 minutes, that focus on a single, dominant and 
dramatic situation or con??ict within a single act.
Prakarana has upto 10 acts. It is an entirely invented plot, 
based on the society.
Two-act plays are stories with a climactic midpoint where 
the stakes rise or the protagonist's goal changes.
Bhana is a one-act play with an invented plot based on the 
rogues and heroism.
Three-act structure is a common plot structure used in 
??lms and television, divided into setup, confrontation, and 
resolution.
Prahasana is a one-act play based on the humour and 
happy contexts. It is comical in nature.
Linear, cyclical and non-linear are di??erent ways to 
structure the plot, including ??ashbacks and  
non-chronological storytelling.
Dima has four acts based on a popular story, including 
Devas and Asuras.
Adapted script is based on pre-existing materials like 
novels, books, poetry, short stories or historical events.
Vyayoga is a one-act play based on the traditional heroic 
stories that are non-comical.
Samavakara has 3 – 4 acts based on the traditional stories 
of Devas and Asuras.
Anka (Utsrishtanka) is a one-act play that is composed 
primarily based on the karuna rasa.
Ihamrga is a four-act play that mixes popular stories and 
??ction based on pauranik stories.
Veethi is a one-act play with just 2 – 3 characters that can 
be performed at any location.
19  | One Stage, Many Scripts
ch-2_theater.indd   19 ch-2_theater.indd   19 19-06-2025   15:27:11 19-06-2025   15:27:11
Note to the Teacher: Though the above activity requires only one page, encourage the students to extend their 
writing and build the story creatively. They can also try multiple styles to explore the possibilities. 
This activity can also be extended to writing assignments of other subjects, such as Language or Social Science. 
Instead of writing an essay, the students can write it in the form of a story or a script.
DO YOU 
KNOW?
According to the Na?yashastra, the ??rst written 
script was a Samavakara (the 7th in the above list) 
by Brahma. It was based on the Amrita Manthana. 
As the process of creation of the performing arts, 
(Natyotpatti, learnt in Grade 6) had a discussion, 
and debate between the Devas and the Asuras, 
Brahma thought it was appropriate for the ??rst 
performance to be about them. The Amrita 
Manthana (churning of the ocean) by the Devas 
and Asuras, is a signi??cant event 
that has been depicted in 
di??erent parts of the world. 
The picture above is an 
iconic representation of 
the Suvarnabhumi Airport 
in Bankok, Thailand.
ACTIVITY 2.1: SCRIPT YOUR STYLE!
While the writers wrote and experimented in di??erent 
forms of writing over the centuries, let us do a simple 
experiment in class! 
Note: This can be done either in groups or individually. 
We will try four types of scripts. Each group (or 
individual) picks one type of script from the list below — 
 ? Dialogue script?— Characters speak directly
 ? Narrative script?— Narrator tells the story
 ? Mime script?— Only actions and stage directions
 ? Musical script?— Includes lyrics or rhythmic speech
The common topic for everyone is — two friends walking 
in a forest, where they ??nd a box that has the birch bark 
and other writing material that Kalidasa used.
Write one page in a style of your choice and compare 
the scripts. Discuss —
 ? Did the style a??ect the content?
 ? How does the experience of the audience vary? 
20  |  KRITI
ch-2_theater.indd   20 ch-2_theater.indd   20 19-06-2025   15:27:11 19-06-2025   15:27:11
Page 5


2
One Stage,  
Many Scripts
The most fundamental aspect of 
any performance is the script. 
It is important to write down 
your ideas and thoughts on 
paper to develop them further. 
In fact, that is why this textbook 
is written. It will not be enough for a teacher or a 
mentor to just talk about a concept and assume 
that you have understood and will remember it. 
Writing helps in multiple ways such as —
 ? Bringing clarity
 ? Building on idea with more creativity
 ? Sharing with others for collaborative work
 ? Helping you remember  and refer back when 
required
 ? Acting as record for future generations 
Writing takes many forms. You might be familiar 
with short stories, essays, poems, letters or emails, 
articles, or blogs. Not just that but every movie, TV 
show, web series, news telecast or documentary  
you watch also has a detailed scripts written for it. 
Writing, in it’s various forms, is the invisible thread 
that ties all communication together.
You will learn
 ? Types of scripts
 ? Genres in various forms
A page from the movie script ‘Harry Potter 
and the Sorcerer’s Stone’
ch-2_theater.indd   17 ch-2_theater.indd   17 27-06-2025   17:17:08 27-06-2025   17:17:08
SCRIPTS FOR STAGE
Play scripts are written works intended for the 
performance on stage, in ??lm, or on television. 
Depending on the kind of performance they 
are designed for they vary in structure, style 
and purpose. Some of the most common types 
of play scripts are listed below. Each type of 
play script serves a di??erent artistic purpose, 
re??ecting human experiences in unique ways. 
Understanding these types allows us to appreciate 
the diversity of theatrical storytelling. 
Play scripts in ancient India 
Ancient Indian thinkers use the term rupa or 
rupaka for drama. The ancient Indian writers 
mostly use a term drushya kavya (visible poetry). 
The writings usually combined the dialogue and 
poetry. So, all the Sanskrit play writers were also 
poets. The Na?yashastr a describes the di??erent 
types of writing drama! Let us  compare it with 
the current types of scripts —
Some ancient manuscripts written by Kalidasa on the bark of the birch tree
18  |  KRITI
ch-2_theater.indd   18 ch-2_theater.indd   18 19-06-2025   15:27:10 19-06-2025   15:27:10
TYPES OF SCRIPTS
DASHA RUPAKA (NA?YASHASTRA) Classification in scriptss
Nataka has 5 to 10 acts based on the stories on kings or 
divine beings with love, heroism or pathos.
One-act plays are short dramatic works, typically lasting 
10 – 30 minutes, that focus on a single, dominant and 
dramatic situation or con??ict within a single act.
Prakarana has upto 10 acts. It is an entirely invented plot, 
based on the society.
Two-act plays are stories with a climactic midpoint where 
the stakes rise or the protagonist's goal changes.
Bhana is a one-act play with an invented plot based on the 
rogues and heroism.
Three-act structure is a common plot structure used in 
??lms and television, divided into setup, confrontation, and 
resolution.
Prahasana is a one-act play based on the humour and 
happy contexts. It is comical in nature.
Linear, cyclical and non-linear are di??erent ways to 
structure the plot, including ??ashbacks and  
non-chronological storytelling.
Dima has four acts based on a popular story, including 
Devas and Asuras.
Adapted script is based on pre-existing materials like 
novels, books, poetry, short stories or historical events.
Vyayoga is a one-act play based on the traditional heroic 
stories that are non-comical.
Samavakara has 3 – 4 acts based on the traditional stories 
of Devas and Asuras.
Anka (Utsrishtanka) is a one-act play that is composed 
primarily based on the karuna rasa.
Ihamrga is a four-act play that mixes popular stories and 
??ction based on pauranik stories.
Veethi is a one-act play with just 2 – 3 characters that can 
be performed at any location.
19  | One Stage, Many Scripts
ch-2_theater.indd   19 ch-2_theater.indd   19 19-06-2025   15:27:11 19-06-2025   15:27:11
Note to the Teacher: Though the above activity requires only one page, encourage the students to extend their 
writing and build the story creatively. They can also try multiple styles to explore the possibilities. 
This activity can also be extended to writing assignments of other subjects, such as Language or Social Science. 
Instead of writing an essay, the students can write it in the form of a story or a script.
DO YOU 
KNOW?
According to the Na?yashastra, the ??rst written 
script was a Samavakara (the 7th in the above list) 
by Brahma. It was based on the Amrita Manthana. 
As the process of creation of the performing arts, 
(Natyotpatti, learnt in Grade 6) had a discussion, 
and debate between the Devas and the Asuras, 
Brahma thought it was appropriate for the ??rst 
performance to be about them. The Amrita 
Manthana (churning of the ocean) by the Devas 
and Asuras, is a signi??cant event 
that has been depicted in 
di??erent parts of the world. 
The picture above is an 
iconic representation of 
the Suvarnabhumi Airport 
in Bankok, Thailand.
ACTIVITY 2.1: SCRIPT YOUR STYLE!
While the writers wrote and experimented in di??erent 
forms of writing over the centuries, let us do a simple 
experiment in class! 
Note: This can be done either in groups or individually. 
We will try four types of scripts. Each group (or 
individual) picks one type of script from the list below — 
 ? Dialogue script?— Characters speak directly
 ? Narrative script?— Narrator tells the story
 ? Mime script?— Only actions and stage directions
 ? Musical script?— Includes lyrics or rhythmic speech
The common topic for everyone is — two friends walking 
in a forest, where they ??nd a box that has the birch bark 
and other writing material that Kalidasa used.
Write one page in a style of your choice and compare 
the scripts. Discuss —
 ? Did the style a??ect the content?
 ? How does the experience of the audience vary? 
20  |  KRITI
ch-2_theater.indd   20 ch-2_theater.indd   20 19-06-2025   15:27:11 19-06-2025   15:27:11
Tragedy: Focus on serious 
themes, often involving a 
??awed protagonist, who 
had experience downfall 
due to fate, personal 
mistakes, or societal forces.
Historical Drama: 
These plays are based 
on historical events and 
??gures, with dramatising  
real-life occurrences.
Comedy: Designed to 
entertain and amuse. It 
has humorous dialogues, 
misunderstandings, 
exaggeration and happy 
ending.
Musical: Incorporates 
songs, and dialogue 
with rhyme and rhythm 
along with dance to tell 
a story.
Melodrama: Emphasise 
on the exaggerated 
emotions, moral 
con??icts, and a clear 
distinction between 
heroes and villains.
Mystery: It is centred 
around solving a 
puzzle, usually a crime. 
The answer is not 
revealed till the end.
GENRES
You must have heard the term 
?genres' when you read reviews 
or see the posters of movies or 
plays. This term is also used for 
novels, short stories and other 
??ctional work. What does it 
actually mean?
Based on the features in the 
writing, both in its style and 
content, it is categorised into a 
particular genre. The popular 
ones are —
According to the Oxford 
English Dictionary, a 
?genre' is a particular  
type or style of art, music, 
literature, or ??lm characterised 
by distinctive features. It 
essentially refers to a category  
or class of works within a 
particular form that share 
common characteristics.
21  | One Stage, Many Scripts
ch-2_theater.indd   21 ch-2_theater.indd   21 19-06-2025   15:27:13 19-06-2025   15:27:13