Nitin Singhania Summary: Indian Theatre | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download
| Table of contents |
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| Introduction |
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| Classical Sanskrit Theatre |
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| List of Prominent Ancient Sanskrit Plays |
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| Folk Theatre |
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| Modern Indian Theatre |
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Introduction
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.
Classical Sanskrit Theatre
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:
- Lokadharmi: Realistic depictions of daily life.
- Natyadharmi: Conventional plays with a more stylized narration and obvious symbolism.
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:
- They were usually four to seven acts long.
- Unlike Greek tragedies, they always had happy endings where the hero succeeds or doesn't die.
- The protagonist was typically male and achieved his desire by the end.
- The plays followed a well-defined structure with opening, progression, development, pause, and conclusion.
Sanskrit plays followed a ritualistic progression:
- The play began with pre-play rituals or purva-raga, often performed behind the curtain.
- The Sutradhar, the stage manager and director, then entered with assistants, dressed in white, offering prayers and seeking blessings.
- Following this, the leading lady was called, and the Sutradhar announced the time, place, and introduced the playwright.
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.
List of Prominent Ancient Sanskrit Plays
Reasons for Decline of Sanskrit Theatre
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.
Folk Theatre
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
Modern Indian 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:
- As big cities like Calcutta and Madras grew, people wanted new and entertaining activities.
- A different style of theatre, known as Western Proscenium, became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- New theatres, such as Belgachia Natyashala and Shobhabazar Natyashala, were built in Calcutta during the 19th century.
Indians Creating Their Own Style:
- Indians mixed elements from Western and Indian styles to create their unique way of doing theatre.
- Unlike in the past when watching plays was usually free for everyone, theatres started charging money.
Common Play Themes and Government Rules:
- Plays often addressed important issues like dowry, the caste system, religion, and politics.
- The British Government created rules in 1876 to control what people were saying in plays about politics.
Parsi Theatres (1850s-1920s):
- Parsi Theatres were widely popular in western India, particularly in Gujarat and Maharashtra, during the period from the 1850s to the 1920s.
- The plays were written in regional languages like Gujarati and Marathi, catering to the local audience.
- Known for vibrant backdrops and lively music, these plays covered a range of themes, including romance, humor, and melodrama.
- With the emergence of cinema in the 1930s, many Parsi producers shifted their focus to filmmaking, marking a transition in the entertainment industry.
Regional Theatres and Personalities:
- Theatrical traditions in Bengal and Maharashtra gained prominence during this period.
- Rabindranath Tagore, a celebrated playwright, wrote significant works such as "Raktakarabi" (Red Oleanders), "Chitrangada," and "Post-Office," exploring themes like nationalism and spirituality.Rabindranath Tagore
- Notable personalities in the theatrical scene included Prasanna Kumar Thakur, Girishchandra Ghosh, and Dinabandhu Mitra.
Indian People’s Theatre Association (ITPA):
- Established in 1943 as a cultural wing of the Communist Party, the ITPA played a crucial role in the cultural landscape.
- Personalities associated with ITPA, such as Balraj Sahni, Prithviraj Kapoor, Bijon Bhattacharya, Ritwik Ghatak, and Utpal Dutt, contributed to the development of theatre.
- Although disbanded in 1947, the IPTA still exists in regions like Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and West Bengal.
Prithvi Theatre:
- Founded in 1944 by Prithviraj Kapoor, initially operating as a traveling theatre with a large ensemble.
- In 1978, a permanent theatre was opened in Mumbai, and Prithvi Theatre continues to be a significant cultural institution today.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi (1952): Foundation: Established in 1952 to promote performing arts, including theatre, contributing to the growth and recognition of Indian theatre.
National School of Drama and Traditional Theatre:
- The National School of Drama played a vital role in nurturing talented individuals in the field of theatre.
- Institutions like Kalakshetra Manipur (1969) and Chorus Repertory Theatre (1976) were established to preserve and promote traditional forms of theatre in India.
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Oct 25, 2024 Last updated |
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