Introduction
Indian theater has it's roots dated back to the history for over two thousand years. Almost at the same time of Aristotle's poetics, ancient India had developed an encyclopedia on theater called "Natyashashtra" ascribed to Bharata which gradually became the basis for Indian theater performances for centuries to come. This means that there was already a rich tradition of performance practice long before such a week appeared. The theory of Rasa in Natyashashtra has influenced Indian traditional theatrics greatly. This was the second phase of the evolution of theater in India which was based on oral tradition.
Traditional Theatrics
An important point needs to be made at the very outset: the word "tradition' carries within it a contradiction charged with repercussions. Traditions remain very much alive in our times. One can find precise point of contact between Tradition and Theater in vital immediacy a quality reflected in its oral transmission, in its constant reference to the present moment and to experience in the present moment.
Ritual Theatrics
Scholars say that the ritual theater emerged as a result of the Bhakti Movement. Unlike orthodox Hindus, followers of the Bhakti Movement believed that man could approach God directly. Thus, theater becomes the perfect vehicle for communicating the faith through depicting the acts of God both for those performing it and for those witnessing it. Ramleela, Krishnaleela and Rasleela, performed in various North Indian states are excellent example of this kind of theaters.
Rise of the Modern Theatrics
The development of Modern Theaters in India may be attributed to change the political set-up in India. The 200 years of the British rule brought the Indian theater into direct contact with the Western Theater; the seeds of the modern theater were sown in the late 18th century , with the consolidation of British power in Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamilnadu. It was the first of the thriving metropolises of Bombay,Calcutta and Madras that London based theater models were introduced in India.
Source: Google and a few personal contacts
Indian theater has it's roots dated back to the history for over two thousand years. Almost at the same time of Aristotle's poetics, ancient India had developed an encyclopedia on theater called "Natyashashtra" ascribed to Bharata which gradually became the basis for Indian theater performances for centuries to come. This means that there was already a rich tradition of performance practice long before such a week appeared. The theory of Rasa in Natyashashtra has influenced Indian traditional theatrics greatly. This was the second phase of the evolution of theater in India which was based on oral tradition.
Traditional Theatrics
An important point needs to be made at the very outset: the word "tradition' carries within it a contradiction charged with repercussions. Traditions remain very much alive in our times. One can find precise point of contact between Tradition and Theater in vital immediacy a quality reflected in its oral transmission, in its constant reference to the present moment and to experience in the present moment.
Ritual Theatrics
Rise of the Modern Theatrics
The development of Modern Theaters in India may be attributed to change the political set-up in India. The 200 years of the British rule brought the Indian theater into direct contact with the Western Theater; the seeds of the modern theater were sown in the late 18th century , with the consolidation of British power in Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamilnadu. It was the first of the thriving metropolises of Bombay,Calcutta and Madras that London based theater models were introduced in India.
Source: Google and a few personal contacts
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