How did Performing Arts come to India?

Have you ever sat still and gazed at birds gracefully soaring through the endless sky? To be captivated by their freedom, imagining what it must be like to have the power to go wherever your heart desires, to express yourself in the purest form, and to be unbothered by the uncertainties of life. Have you wonderered about the indescribable feeling of liberation that must course through their beings? But the harsh reality is that a mere human, cannot take to the skies like those majestic creatures.

However, there exists another realm, a place as liberating as the boundless heavens, and that place is the stage. The stage, bathed in the warm glow of the spotlight, offers a profound freedom that allows you to shed the weight of the world and express your innermost self with unbridled authenticity.

It is a place where you can become anyone and anything, where your voice can resound with emotions that have long been locked away. The stage and the world of art grant me that rare, beautiful liberty, making you feel as light as a feather and as free as the wind, enabling you to convey the deepest essence of your soul to those who watch and listen.

Hence, it is only fitting to commemorate the liberation that Art bestows upon humanity by delving into its rich history and tracing its transformative journey. Read On.

A Storied Journey: The Evolution of Performing Arts and Theater in India

The evolution of Performing Arts is a tapestry woven with threads of rich and diverse traditions that have unfolded over millennia. While certain facets of Indian performing arts are widely celebrated and acknowledged, there are countless hidden gems waiting to be discovered, each with its own unique tale and cultural significance.

Ancient Roots: Theatre in India has origins tracing back to the earliest known Sanskrit drama. Have a look at some intriguing facts!

· The Natya Shastra, written by sage Bharata, is one of the oldest surviving texts on theatre and was written around the 2nd century BC. It is a comprehensive treatise on Performing Arts, covering various aspects of theatre, including acting, stage design, music, and dance. It is considered the foundation of Indian theatre.

· Koodiyattam, a form of Sanskrit theater that originated in the first millennium CE, is one of the oldest theater traditions in the world. It has been performed in Kerala for over a thousand years, with its intricate rituals and stylised performances.

· Sanskrit drama reached its zenith during the Gupta Empire (4th to 6th centuries CE). Playwrights like Kalidasa wrote masterpieces like “Shakuntala” during this period.

Classical Forms: During the 14th century, India’s rich regional diversity took the front seat. Each state started showcasing its own unique theatre traditions, often based on local languages and folklore. Such as:

· Bhavai is a folk theater form that originated in Gujarat. It often incorporates satire and social commentary, and it’s known for its use of masks and vibrant costumes.

· There are several regional classical theatre forms, including Kathakali (Kerala), Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), and Odissi (Odisha). These forms often combine acting, dance, and music to tell stories from mythology and epics.

Treasure of the 19th Century: This era is often marked as the gem for Performing Arts as several new forms of theatre came into the limelight.

· Nautanki is a form of theater in North India that became popular in the 19th century, especially in Uttar Pradesh. It blends music, dance, and drama and often features themes of love and mythology.

· Jatra is another traditional folk theater from the state of West Bengal. It is characterised by its open-air performances, traveling troupes, and the use of mythological and historical narratives.

· The Parsi Theater, founded by the Parsi community in Mumbai (then Bombay), played a significant role in shaping modern Indian theater. It introduced elements of realism and modern staging techniques.

New Theatrical Movements: The 20th century saw the emergence of various experimental and socially relevant theater movements, such as the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) and the Theatre of the Absurd influenced works of Badal Sircar.

· During this period, Street theater became a powerful medium for social and political commentary in India. Groups like the ‘Naya Theatre’ and ‘Jan Nitya Manch’ used street plays to raise awareness about various issues.

· In the 1970s experimental theater became a trend. Directors like Satyadev Dubey and Vijay Tendulkar experimented with forms of theater, incorporating elements of symbolism, minimalism, and post-modernism into Indian drama.

· In the late 20th century, India hosted numerous theater festivals, such as the Prithvi Theatre Festival and the National School of Drama’s Bharat Rang Mahotsav, which showcase a wide range of Indian and international theater.

The Dawn of the 21st Century: During this period, contemporary theater groups in India, such as Indian Ensemble, Rangashankara, and Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Arts and Research, played a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of Indian theater. Their innovative productions and artistic endeavours have pushed the boundaries of what theater can be in the country.

· Theater groups like these have been instrumental in introducing innovative and unconventional productions that challenge conventional norms. They have explored diverse themes, from social issues and politics to mythology and spirituality, providing a fresh perspective to Indian theater.

· Like every other sector Performing Arts has also adapted the digital world really well. The advent of digital platforms has given rise to online theater productions, making theater more accessible to a global audience.

The journey of Performing Arts and Theater in India is witness to the enduring spirit of creativity and cultural richness. It weaves together ancient wisdom, classical elegance, and modern innovation, creating a tapestry that resonates deeply with the human experience. The stage, whether in a traditional theater or the digital realm, remains a sacred space where souls take flight, transcending the limitations of reality. It is a place where emotions flow freely, truths are unveiled, and the essence of our existence is explored. In this timeless theater, we find liberation, expression, and the profound connection that unites us all.