Table of contents | |
Introduction | |
Classical Sanskrit Theatre | |
List of Prominent Ancient Sanskrit Plays | |
Folk Theatre | |
Modern Indian Theatre |
The ruins at Sitabena and Jogimara Caves are thought to be the world's oldest amphitheaters, showcasing India's long tradition of theater.
According to Bharat Muni's Natya Shastra, Lord Brahma created the Natya Veda for the enjoyment of the Gods, blending elements from the four Vedas.
The Natya Shastra, written between 200 BC and 200 AD, is the earliest formal guide on dramaturgy. It introduces ten types of plays, ranging from one-act to ten-act, covering all aspects of classical Sanskrit literature.
Theatre in India started as a narrative art form involving a mix of music, dance, and acting. Recitation, dance, and music were crucial elements. The term 'nataka' in Sanskrit came from 'nata,' meaning a dancer. Words like Rupaka, Drishyakavya, and Preksakavya were used to describe drama.
In ancient India, there were two types of plays:
Sariputraprakarana by Ashvaghosha, a notable philosopher, is considered the first example of classical Sanskrit drama, featuring nine acts.
Another significant playwright was Bhasa, who wrote 13 plays, probably between the 3rd and 4th century AD.
Sudraka was the first to introduce conflict in his play Mricchakatika, featuring not just a hero and heroine but also an antagonist.
Kalidasa, a highly popular Sanskrit playwright, wrote three notable works: Malavikagnimitram, Vikramorvashi, and Shakuntalam. These are excellent examples of classical Sanskrit drama, showcasing Kalidasa's unparalleled portrayal of the eternal conflict between desire and duty.
Other examples of plays are Uttaramacharita and Mahaviracharita by Bhavabhuti, Mudrarakshasa by Visakhadatta, and Ratnavali by Harshavardhana.
Natya Shastra
In classical Sanskrit tradition, plays were divided into 10 types, but Natya Shastra, a key text, only discusses Nataka and Prakarna. Classical Sanskrit plays had certain rigid rules:
Sanskrit plays followed a ritualistic progression:
According to Bharata, the theater could accommodate about 400 people, and the stages were two-storeyed. The upper floor represented the celestial sphere, while the lower one represented the terrestrial sphere.
Curtains were used to enhance the play's impact, but masks were not employed.
Vidusaka(clown)
Characters in Sanskrit plays were important and fell into three categories: Nayaka (hero or protagonist), Nayika (heroine), and Vidusaka (clown).
The Nayaka (hero), played by males, could have different personalities like being kind-hearted, calm, or arrogant. Sometimes, the hero could also be an 'antagonist' like Ravana or Duryodhana.
The Nayika (heroine), portrayed by females, could be queens, friends, courtesans, or divine ladies.
The Vidusaka (clown), a comic character, played a key role. He was usually a good-hearted friend of the hero and used satire to question societal norms. Interestingly, he spoke in Prakrit, while others spoke in Sanskrit.
Overall, Sanskrit plays combined entertainment with religious traditions, featuring a mix of characters with unique roles and personalities.
The decline of Sanskrit theatre happened for a few reasons:
Shift to Poetry: Sanskrit dramatists started focusing more on poetry, and lyrical writings became more popular than dramatic works.
Orthodoxy Restriction: The strict traditional rules of Sanskrit theatre limited the creative space for new playwrights, leading them to explore other forms of expression.
Loss of Popularity: As Sanskrit evolved, it became more complex and lost its appeal among the general public. It became mainly associated with religious contexts and was favored by Brahmins, while other languages like Pali and Prakrit gained popularity.
Influence of Muslim Rulers: With the arrival of Muslim rulers, Sanskrit theatre faced a decline. Dance and music received more support, pushing Sanskrit theatre to a less prominent position.
India has many different types of traditional plays called folk theatre found in different parts of the country. These plays show how people live, their customs, and what they believe.
Folk Theatre
Unlike the plays in big cities that are more complex, known as Sanskrit theatre, folk theatre comes from the countryside. It has a simple style and a local feel.
A long time ago, a plan called the First Five-Year Plan said we could use these local plays to teach people in rural areas about important things like making women strong and stopping untouchability.
These local plays, called folk theatres, started a long time ago, around 500 years ago. At first, they talked about gods and religion. Later, they also started telling love stories and stories about local heroes.
After India became independent, these plays became more than just entertainment. They became a way to share important ideas and knowledge with people.
Classifications of Indian Folk Theatre
Translations of ancient Sanskrit and Western stories made people interested in watching plays. People started adapting plays written by famous authors like Lessing and Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare
Cities Growing and New Theatre Style:
Indians Creating Their Own Style:
Common Play Themes and Government Rules:
Parsi Theatres (1850s-1920s):
Regional Theatres and Personalities:
Indian People’s Theatre Association (ITPA):
Prithvi Theatre:
National School of Drama and Traditional Theatre:
112 videos|494 docs|173 tests
|
1. What is Classical Sanskrit theatre? |
2. Can you provide a list of prominent ancient Sanskrit plays? |
3. What is folk theatre in India? |
4. How is modern Indian theatre different from ancient Sanskrit theatre? |
5. What is the significance of Indian theatre in the UPSC exam? |
|
Explore Courses for UPSC exam
|