Introduction

Indian drama and theatre encompass a wide range of forms, each reflecting the country’s cultural diversity. Ancient Sanskrit theatre, exemplified by works like Kalidasa’s Shakuntala, laid the foundation for classical traditions. Regional styles such as Kathakali, Yakshagana, and Nautanki evolved over time, offering distinct narratives and performance techniques. Theatre in India has long served as a medium for storytelling, education, and social commentary, preserving traditions while adapting to contemporary themes. It remains deeply intertwined with festivals, rituals, and local customs, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage and influencing modern performing arts across the country.

Indian Drama

Indian drama and theatre are considered even older than the tradition of Indian dance and music and possess the infrastructural lineages from classical theatrical conventions which have had influenced modern theatre, especially the Hindi, Marathi and Bengali plays.

Indian Theatre

Indian Theatre initiated as a narrative form. The art of reciting, dancing and singing gradually became an integral element of Indian theatre whilst boasting its copious tradition.

Origin of Indian Theatre

Origin of Indian Theatre is rooted in Natyashastra by Bharata Muni. Ancient rituals and mythology play a prominent part in the origin of Indian theatre.

History of Indian Theatre

The history of Indian theatre is the saga of changing tradition and an account of changing ritualism. Indian theatre is an effort of intensifying the social pattern in perhaps the most aesthetic way.

Elements of Drama

Elements of drama is inclusive of Thought, Theme, Ideas, Action or Plot, Characters, Language, Music, Spectacle and many others. Drama on stage often reflects the life in general or the drama of daily life.

Music in Indian Theatre

Music in Indian theatre is indispensable. It enhances the beauty of this art form. Vocal music or Sangita includes gita (vocal music), vadya (instrumental music), and nartana (dancing) and depends upon rhythm.

Indian Theatre Characters

Characters in Indian theatre are mainly the people, involved in pursuing the plot. Each character has a distinct personality, age, appearance, beliefs, socio economic background and language in the play.

Types of Drama

Different Types of Drama have been discussed in the Agni Purana. The adhyaya on different types of drama has also explained the essential components of a drama and also discussed the purpose of a proper drama.

Forms of Indian theatre

Forms of Indian theatre are numerous and the rich account of Indian drama unveils the verity that Indian theatre has a deep-rooted relation with Indian epics and Indian mythologies.

Types of Traditional Theatres in India

Types of traditional Indian theatres in India are varied with each Indian state having a distinct traditional theatrical form. Each form of theatre is a distinctive combination of dance, music and acting.

Ancient Indian Drama

Ancient Indian Drama can be dated back to the time period of the Vedas. According to legend Lord Brahma created the various elements of drama from different Vedas.

Theatre in Ancient India

Theatre in ancient India in a systematic manner was introduced by Bharat Muni who prefaced the term "roopaka". It is believed that the theatrical culture in India originated in the times of Rig Veda.

Theatre in Medieval India

Theatre in medieval India was a narration of the epic poems and introduced the concept of "Theatrical Art". During this period, the essence of the "Nine Rasas" which Bhasa introduced in his Natya Shastra started evolving.

Modern Indian 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".

Famous Plays in Indian theatre

There are numerous famous plays in Indian theatre that have been appreciated by the critics as well as the audience. The amalgamation of various genres of plays resulted in a rare combination of famous literary works.

Indian Dramatists

Eminent Indian dramatists have added a distinct shape to Indian Natya whilst exemplifying the nine Rasas of drama. India boasts its glorious association with illustrious Indian dramatists since its antiquity.

Personalities in Indian Theatre

Eminent personalities in Indian drama right from the ancient age to the contemporary times have offered a distinct shape to the Indian theatre. They gradually transformed theatre art in to a refined technique of illustrating the realities of life.

Traditional Indian Theatre

Traditional Indian theatre is the unedited realities and expression to reflect on life. It reflects ideas, thoughts, voices and vibes of the common people keeping the conventional and classical elements intact.

Folk Theatre in India

Folk theatre in India has a rich legacy. In the ancient Vedic culture and even in Buddhist literature folk theatre first made its presence felt as an art form to illustrate the unedited realities of life.

Classical Indian Musical Theatre

Classical Indian musical theater is a popular genre of Indian drama and is reckoned as one of the revered arts of the classical Hindu temple culture. In the modern days classical Indian musical theater is lot more than just being the representation of the classical dance form.

Classical Indian Dance Drama

Classical Indian dance drama is an authoritative genre of Indian theater. This form of dance drama or the "Natya Yoga", gradually became an effort of depicting the beauties of life and exemplifying the divine celestial elements of the universe.

Regional Theatre in India

Regional theatre in India encompasses all the regional flavour of the Indian states. The multilingual aspect of India`s poetic articulation amidst Indian theatre, have been severely appreciated by people around the country.

English Theatre in India

With the establishment of English theatre, gradually the old concept of Sanskrit theatre started to fade away. Dramas were no longer the narrative forms, with heroes and celestial beings. It became a true representation of the "unedited realisms" of Indian social life.

Theatre Crafts

Theatre craft is a form of art used in theatres. The states of India like Orissa, Rajasthan, Karnataka etc are predominantly the places where theatre craft had been booming through years.

Women in Modern Indian Theatre

Women in modern Indian theatre have been depicted in various shades. The question of gender has remained almost unaddressed in performance of modern Indian theatre.

Indian Theatre Stages

Indian theatre stages represent the glory of theatre as an art form. Since ancient past, these stages have played a key role in the promotion of theatre art in India.

Indian Theatre Schools

Indian theatre schools have attained popularity in India for nurturing the talents of aspiring artists.  From the last half of the 19th century, Indian theatre schools experienced a boost in numbers and practice.

Indian Theatre Companies

Major Indian theatre companies aided in carrying Indian drama to the next level of maturity whilst illustrating the modish aspects of Indian Natya Dharmi in the most vibrant way.

Spectators of Indian Theatre

Spectators of Indian Theatre are expected to be cultured, critical and experienced. An ideal spectator should be able to feel the emotions of character as depicted by actors.