Theatre, an ancient art form, has traveled with us for centuries, evolving in some new way, either by invention or by modification as it touches every part of the world and its civilizations. Yes, the theatre has been a significant part of our lives without our knowledge. English drama and its history of evolution have been credited with great significance by many across the world. But, just like everything, India has also been a part of this evolutionary journey of bringing theatre alive. So today I would like to give credit to India for its appreciable contribution in the development of theatre.
The history of theatre in India can be traced back to the 15th century BC. Though Indian theatre was very unique, it started because of the same reason for which other theatres across the world started. Yes, Indians praised their gods using this noble art form. They tried to please the gods in any way they could. The early evidence of theatre in India was derived from the ancient Buddhist literature and the Buddhist philosopher Asvaghosa, who composed the Buddha Charitha is said to have been the first Sanskrit dramatist. Though theatre in India might have started as early as the 15th century BC, it flourished from the 2nd century BC. The earliest surviving evidence of Sanskrit drama in India can be traced back to the 2nd century BC. The Vedas do not offer us much information on this topic, although some portions are composed in the form of a dialogue.
The main source of Sanskrit theatre is the ' Natyashastra', which means ' The treatise on theatre', which was composed by Bharatha muni but the date of composition is uncertain. This 'Natyashastra', is the most complete work of dramaturgy in the ancient world. It addresses drama, dance, music, costuming, makeup, props, and architecture. Vedic texts such as the Rig Veda tells us a bit about theatre. Okay, all this is good. But how exactly did theatre begin?. Well, that sadly remains uncertain. But the ' Mahabhasya' by Patanjali, contains the earliest reference to what may have been the seeds of Sanskrit theatre. This piece of work from 140 B.C.E, provides a feasible date for the beginnings of theatre in India. Plays were being performed in royal courts in praise of the rulers or in praise of gods. There were many great playwrights, authors, and poets in those days who made ancient Indian drama possible.
Since the time of Alexander the Great, India has been in direct contact with Greece and this leads to a scholarly debate on how much influence ancient Greece had on India. From the 1st century BC till 10th century AD, theatre flourished. During the Islamic conquests in India that took place in the 10th and 11th century AD, theatre practices were almost forbidden and forgotten. Later, in an attempt to cheer up and make people understand the importance of theatre, village theatres were developed from the 15th to 19th century. Modern Indian theatre developed abundantly under the British colonial rule and after Indian independence in 1947, theatres spread across and throughout India as a form of entertainment.
That was a brief overview of theatre, but there is so much more to it, so please research and find out more about the legacy of Indian Drama. Indian theatre played a significant role in the cultures and lifestyles of our ancestors, it still plays a significant part in our lives and it will still remain significant in our lives and cultures for the years to come, making it an immortal and divine art form which we should support and cherish.
