Types of Theatre in India

THEATRE OF INDIA

The theatre in India has encompassed all the other forms of literature and fine arts into its physical presentation literature, mime, music, dance, movement, painting, sculpture and architecture all mixed into one and being called 'Natya' or 'Theatre' in English. Roughly, the Indian theatre can be divided into three distinctive kinds i.e. the Classical or the Sanskrit theatre, the Traditional or the Folk theatre and Modern theatre.

FAMOUS SANSKRIT PLAYS


  • Shudraka- Mrichha Katika
  • Bhasa- Swapna Vasavadattam, Panchatantra, Pratijna Yaugandharayaanam Charudatta, Kamabhara
  • Kalidasa- Vikramorvasiyam, Malavikagnimitram, Abhijinanasakuntalam
  • Bhavabhuti- Mahaveeracharita, Uttararamacharita, Malati-Madhava
  • Harsha- Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, Nagananda
FORMS OF TRADITIONAL THEATRE
  • Bhand Pather- The traditional theatre form of Kashmir, is a unique combination of dance, music and acting. Satire, wit and parody are preferred for inducing laughter. In this theatre form, music is provided with surnai, nagaara and dhol. Since, the actors of Bhand Pather are mainly from the farming community, the impact of their way of living, ideals and sensivity is discernible.
  • Swang- It was earlier mainly music based. Gradually, prose too, played its role in the dialogues. The softness of emotions, accomplishment of rasa along with the development of character can be seen in this theatre form. The two important styles of Swang are from Rohtak and Haathras. In the style belonging to Rohtak, the language used is Haryanvi (Bangru) and in Haathras, it is Brajbhasha.
  • Nautanki- It is usually associated with Uttar Pradesh. The most popular centres of this theatre form are Kanpur, Lucknow and Haathras. The meters used in the verses are Doha, Chaubola, Chhappai, Behar-e-Tabeel. There was a time, when only men acted in nautanki, but now-a-days, women have also started taking part in the performances. Among those remembered with reference is, Gulab Bai of Kanpur. She gave a new dimension to this old theatre form.
  • Jatra- Fairs in honour of Gods or religious rituals and ceremonies have their framework musical plays are known as Jatra. This form was born and nurtured in Bengal. Krishna Jatra became popular due to Chaitanya's influence. Later, however wordly love stories too, found a place in Jatra. The earlier form of Jatra has been musical dialogues were added at later stage. The actors themselves describe the change of scene, the place of action etc.
  • Bhaona- It is presentation of the Ankin Naat of Asom. In Bhaona, cultural glimpses of Asom, Bengal, Odisha, Mathura and Brindavan can be seen. The Sutradhaar or narrator begins the story, first in Sanskrit and then in either Brajboli or Assamese.
  • Dashavatar- It is the most developed theatre form of the Konkan and Goa regions. The performers personify the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the God of preservation and creativity. The 10 incarnations are Matsya (fish), Karma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narsimha (lion-man), Vaman (dwarf), Parashuram, Rama, Krishana (or Balram), Buddha and Kalki. Apart from stylised make up, the Dashavatar performers wear masks of wood and papier mache.
  • Krishnattam- Folk theatre of Kerala, came into existance in the middle of AD 17th century under the patronage of King Manavada of Calicut. Krishnattam is a cycle for 8 plays performed for 8 consecutive days.
  • Mudiyettu- Traditional folk theatre form of Kerala is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam (November-December). It is usually performed only in the Kali temples of Kerala, as an oblation to the Goddess. It depicts the triumph of Goddess Bhadrakali over the asura Darika. The 7 characters in Mudiyettu-Shiva, Narada, Darika, Danavendra, Bhadrakali, Kooli and Koimbidar (Nandikeshvara) are all heavily made-up.
  • Koodiyaattam- One of the oldest theatre forms of Kerala, is based on Sanskrit theatre traditions. The characters of this theatre form are Chakyaar or actor, Naambiyaar, the instrumentalists and Naangyaar, those taking on women's roles, the Sutradhar or narrator and the Vidushak or Jestors are the protagonists. It is the Vidushak alone who delivers the dialogues. Emphasis on hand gestures and eye movements makes this dance and theatre form unique.
  • Yakshagana- Traditional theatre form of Karnataka, is based on mythological stories and Puranas. The most popular episodes are from the Mahabharta i.e. Draupadi, Swayamvar, Subhadra Vivah, Abhimanyu Vadh, Karna-Arjun Yuddh anf from Ramayana i.e. Rajyabhishek Lav-Kush Yuddh, Baali-Sugreeva Yuddh and Panchavan.
MODERN INDIAN THEATRE
Modern Indian theatre started after the advent of the British in India. The British developed Calcutta in the East, Bombay and Surat in the West and Chennai in the South as important centres of trade and administration. They also set-up theatres in these cities for their entertainment. The first Bengali theatre was eastablished as early as 1795, Russian Indologist Gerasim Lebedev is credited to have founded it. Prasanna Coomar Tagore eastablished the first Indian owned Bengali theatre in 1831 named as Hindu Theatre.

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