The forgotten art form: Theatre

The Indian theatre has a tradition going back to at least 5000 years. The earliest book on dramaturgy anywhere in the world was written in India. It was called Natya Shastra, i.e., the grammar or the holy book of theatre by Bharat Muni. Its time has been placed between 2000 B.C. to 4th Century A.D. A long span of time and practice is needed for any art or activity to form its rules and notifications.

Therefore, it can be said with assurance that to have a book like Natya Shastra, the Indian theatre must have begun long, long before that if we go back to historical records, excavations and references available in the two great epics The Ramayana and The Mahabharata. Theatre in India started as a narrative form, i.e., reciting, singing and dancing becoming integral elements of the theatre.

This emphasis on narrative elements made our theatre essentially theatrical right from the beginning. That is why 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.

In short, the following features say it all about Indian theatre:

• Reflects the society - Expresses the emotions of the society
• Spontaneity is the spice of Indian theatre
• Natural Rhythm
• Continuity is the essence of Traditional Theatre , the complete play is done in one go – NO Episodes

Theatre is further divided into the following:
Classical
Folk
Modern
Classical

• Origins are Hard to Trace
• 1000 AD – Basic Rules – NATYASHAHTRA
• It addresses acting, dance, music, dramatic construction, architecture, costuming, make-up, props, the organisation of companies, the audience, competitions, and offers a mythological account of the origin of theatre
• Basic Plot remains confined to the idea of Hero and his desire and the Attainment of his desire – Two Themes - Lokadharmi and Natyadharmi
• Duty, Pleasure Wealth
• Shudraka – Mrichhakatika
• Kalidasa – Malavikagnimitram, Abhijnanashakuntalam and Vikamorvashiyam
• Bhasa – Swapna Vasavadattam, Panchatanatram and Kamabhara
• Bhavabhuti - mahaveeracharitha, Malathu – Madhava
• Harsha – Priyadarshika, Ratnavali

Traditional / Folk

• Festivals or Fairs
• Social Attitude and Perception – even at times have Religious or mythological
• Narrative and Descriptive form of Theatre – Bhand Nach
• Generally Theme depends on the occasion and the purpose
• Emphasis is more on the acting form than the music and the other accompaniments
• Descriptive Acting – Bidapat Nach
• Narrative Art – Also seen in variations across the country – Nautanki, Tamasha, Bhavai, Etc

Bhand Pather

• Traditional Theatre of Jammu and Kashmir
• Dance + Music + Acting
• Sattire, Wit, Parody – Theme
• Farming Community
• Surnai + Naga + Dhol
• Impacts on the way of living, sensitivity and Ideals

Swang

• Originally a Music based form of Theatrical
• Softness grace along with rasa and development of character can be seen
• 2 forms
• Rohtak
• Haatras
• Prose played in Dialogues
• Rohtak – Haryanvi
• Haathras – Brij Bhasha
• Saang Dance -This is performed by a group of ten or twelve persons. They sing religious stories and folk tales in open spaces. It can be called an 'open air theater'. Swang incorporates suitable theatrics and mimicry (or nakal) accompanied by song and dialogue.

Nautanki
Nautanki is a famous folk theater and operatic drama form, popular in northern India especially in Uttar Pradesh. Nautanki consists of folklore and mythological dramas with interludes of folk songs and dances

• Kanpur , Lucknow, Haathras
• Dauha, Chaubol, Chhapai, Behar- e- tabeel
• Originally only men were part of this , but later women became members
• Gulab Bai of Kapur gave a new versatility and new form for the old style

Rasleela
Raslila is also known as Braj Raslila. It is originated from Braj area in Agra Region of Uttar Pradesh. It is a theatrical form performed now in many States of India. This performance is reveals around the life of Lord Krishna.

• Lord Krishna Legends
• Nand Das initially wrote the plays for Rasleela
• Life of Krishna
• Prose is combines beautifully with the songs – Krishna Pranks

Bhavai
Bhavai Dance – "Bhava" meaning expression of emotion or feeling. Continuous playing on the Bhungal, a very long wind brass instrument, before and during the performance calls the villagers to the scene of the Bhavai. Women are not strictly allowed to take part in the Bhavai. Therefore, the male artists perform female roles, which makes the entire drama more joyful.

• Guajarati theatrical form
• Kutch and Kathiawar Region
• Rare Synthesis of Devotional and Romantic theme
• Quick and Slow movements – Narrative in Drama
• Tabla, Pakhwaaj, Sarangi, manjeera Etc

Jatra
Jatra is a famous form of folk theatre from the eastern region of India. Jatra is the traditional theatre form of West Bengal. It is the enactment of a play. And performed with a cast and also comprises of music, dance, acting, singing and dramatic conflict in its performance.

• Bengal
• Fiars in honour of gods or religious rituals and ceremonies within their musical framework
• Born and Nurtured in Bengal
• Chaitanya’s influence is seen highly – Krishna Jatra
• Earlier form was musical – Dialogues added later
• Actors themselves, describe the change of scene, place of action etc.

Maach
Maanch Dance -lyrical folk drama and a form of operatic ballet that is very popular in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. The presentation style & technique of the Maanch, its various thematic elements, & suitable music and gaudy costumes all contribute in making this play a unique one.

• Madhya Pradesh
• Stage itself and also for the play
• Songs have prominence over dialogues
• Dialogue – Bol
• Rhythm – Vanag
• Tune – Rangat

Bhaona

• Ankia Naat of Assam
• Assam + WB + ORS + Mathura + Brindavan
• Sutradhaar begins in Sanskrit and then later in Brij bholi or Assamese Tamasha
• Tamasha - Kolhati and Mahar communities are associated with Tamasha. The poet singers known as shahirs composed many narrative and love songs for Tamasha. The word tamasha in Persian language means fun and entertainment. The word tamasha in Persian language means fun and entertainment.
• Maharashtra
• Sattritical
• From Folk Forms of Gondhal + Jagran + Kritan
• Female is the chief Proponent – Murki
• Classical Music with footwork at Lightning Speed and Vivid gestures

Dashavatar

• Goa and Konkan
• Lord Vishnu – God of Preservation and Creativity
• 10 incarnations
• Stylish Makeup
• Masks of Wood or Papier Mache

Krishnattam

• Kerala
• 17th Century – King Manavada of Calicut
• Cycle of 8 plays – for 8 days
• Themes of Lord Krishna – Life and Episode : Birth , Childhood pranks, deeds
• Depiction of Victory of good over evil

Mudiyettu

• Vrishchikam Month –November –December
• Kali temple
• Depicts the triumph of Goddess Bhadrakali over Asuras
• 7 characters are portrayed

Theyyam

• Means – Daivam i.e. God
• God’s Dance
• Worshipping of Spirit of Ancestors, Folk Heroes and Deities of Various Diseases
• Colourful costume + Headgears (Mudi) - made of Areca Nut Splices: 5-6 Feet, Bamboos, Wooden pranks and Strong colours – Turmeric, wax and arak.

Koodiyttam

• Oldest and based on Sanskrit
• Chakyaar – Actor
• Nambiyaar – instrumentalist
• Nangyar – Women
• Sutradhar – Vidhushak – Dialogues
• Emphasis on Hand Gestures and Eye movements

Yakshagana

• Karnataka
• Mythological and Traditional stories -Purana
• Mahabharat – Dhraupadi Swayamvaram, Shubhadra Vivaham , Abhimanyu Vadha
• Ramayana – Raajyabhisehkam, Lav-kush Yuddham, Bali –Sugreeva Yuddham and Panchavati

Ramman

• Uttarakhand
• Multiple activities – Theatre, Music, written and oral tales
• Masked Dance drama by the bhandaris
• April Month
• Bhumiyal Devta Temple
• UNESCO intangible cultural Heritage of Humanity

Burrakatha

• Its an oral storytelling technique in the Katha tradition, performed in villages of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana. The troupe consists of one main performer and two co-performers. It is a narrative entertainment that consists of prayers, solo drama, dance, songs, poems and jokes. The topic will be either a Hindu mythological story or a contemporary social issue
• Andhra Pradesh – KTK, TN TS
• Solo Drama, Dance, songs, poems, Prayers and Jokes
• Theme – Mythological stories or Contemporary social problems
• 3 characters
• Harikatha – Lord Krishna

Therukoothu

• TN - Street Play
• Time of Annual Temple Festivals at Mariamman temple – for Rich Harvest
• 8 pays based on the life of Draupadi
• Sutradhar – Kattiakaran
• Komali – Entertainer

Modern Theatre
Modern Indian theatre developed due to the change in the socio political set up in India. Theatre before the independence of India was primarily a weapon to protest against the "British Raj". However it is certainly not an overstatement to say that the two hundred years of British colonialism brought the Indian theatre into a direct contact with the western theatre.

Curiously, the very kernel of the modish aspects of the contemporary theatre was sown at that period. The harmonious blend of eastern and western culture gave birth to a rather modern form of Indian theatre.

• With the Advent of the British India
• Calcutta – East and Bombay and Surat – West
• Setup theatres for entertainment
• Levedef – Established Bengali theatre
• Girish Karnd – Tighluq
• Rabindranath Tagore -The Post office

BY: Balalatha Mallavarapu