Introduction of Drama

The Introduction and Development of Drama in Indian English Writing

 Ancient Roots of Indian Drama

The history of drama in India has a rich and glorious tradition that dates back to ancient times. The origins of Indian drama can be traced to the Vedic period, with early dramatic performances often depicting events from daily life, accompanied by music. These primitive performances included mock hunts where tribe members portrayed wild animals and hunters.

As time progressed, episodes from great Indian epics like The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, and The Bhagavadgita were enacted, a tradition that continues to this day, especially during festivals like Dussehra.

Sanskrit Drama

The formal beginning of Indian drama is often associated with Sanskrit plays. References to drama can be found in various ancient texts such as Patanjali's Vyakarna Mahabhashya, Vatsyayam's Kamasutra, and Panini's Ashtabhyam. The origin of Sanskrit drama dates back to around 1000 B.C.

Sanskrit drama, known as 'rupaka', was built around three primary constituents: Vastu (plot), Neta (hero), and Rasa (sentiment). The most significant work on Indian dance and drama from this period is Bharata's Natyasastra, which provides comprehensive information on the composition, production, and enjoyment of ancient drama.

Notable Sanskrit dramatists include Ashwaghosh, Bhasa, Shudraka, Kalidas, Harsha, Bhavabhuti, and others who contributed works like Mrichkatikam, Abhigyana Shakuntalam, and Uttar Ramacharitam.

Transition to Modern Drama

Sanskrit dramas were staged until approximately the 15th century. After this period, due to foreign invasions, dramatic activity in India almost ceased. However, from the 17th century onwards, various forms of Loknatya (People's Theatre) emerged in different states of India, such as Yatrakirtaniya in Bengal, Bhavai in Gujarat, and Tamasha in Maharashtra.

Rise of Modern Indian Drama

The rise of modern Indian drama can be traced to the 18th century, coinciding with the consolidation of British power in India. A significant milestone was the establishment of the 'Hindu Rangmanch' in Calcutta by Prasanna Kumar Thakur in 1831, where he staged an English translation of Bhavabhuti's Sanskrit drama Uttar Ramacharitam.

The launch of the famous Parsi Theatre in Bombay in 1852-1853 marked another important development, influencing theatrical practices across the country. Simultaneously, amateur theatre developed with the works of Bharatendu Harishchandra, who is considered the father of Hindi drama.

Indian English Drama: Early Phase

The journey of Indian English drama began with Krishna Mohan Banerji's "The Persecuted" in 1837. However, the real journey is often said to have started with Michael Madhu Sudan Dutt's "Is This Called Civilization" in 1871.

Two towering figures in early Indian English drama were Rabindranath Tagore and Sri Aurobindo. Although Tagore wrote primarily in Bengali, many of his plays were translated into English. His works, including "Chitra," "The Post Office," and "The King of the Dark Chamber," were deeply rooted in Indian ethos and ethics.

Sri Aurobindo, writing directly in English, produced five complete blank verse plays and six incomplete ones. His works, such as "Perseus the Deliverer" and "Vasavadutta," dealt with diverse cultures and historical periods, showing influences from both Elizabethan drama and Sanskrit playwrights.

 Post-Independence Indian English Drama

The post-independence era saw a surge in Indian English drama. Notable playwrights of this period include:

1. Asif Currimbhoy: The most prolific playwright of this era, with over thirty plays to his credit, including "The Tourist Mecca" and "An Experiment With Truth."

2. Pratap Sharma: Known for "A Touch of Brightness" and "The Professor Has A War Cry."

3. Girish Karnad: A prominent figure who wrote in Kannada but whose works were widely translated. His plays like "Tughlaq" and "Hayavadana" blend history, myth, and contemporary reality.

4. Vijay Tendulkar: Although writing primarily in Marathi, his works were translated into English and had a significant impact. Plays like "Silence! The Court is in Session" and "Ghashiram Kotwal" dealt with societal issues and human violence.

5. Badal Sircar: A key figure in the New Theatrical Movement, Sircar created 'people's theatre' with plays like "Evam Indrajit" and "Pagla Ghoda."

6. Mahesh Dattani: The first Indian English playwright to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi award, known for plays like "Final Solutions" and "Dance Like a Man."

Women Playwrights and Feminist Theatre

The emergence of women playwrights added a new dimension to Indian English drama. Writers like Usha Ganguli and Mahasweta Devi contributed significantly, often focusing on women's issues and reinterpreting traditional myths from a feminist perspective. Mahasweta Devi's plays like "Mother of 1084" and "Water" dealt with political and social issues, particularly focusing on marginalized communities.

Innovative Voices and New Perspectives

Mohan Rakesh, though writing in Hindi, significantly influenced Indian English drama through translations of his works. His plays like "Ashadh Ka Ek Din" and "Leharon Ke Rajhansa" explore the crisis of contemporary man and human relationships, employing experimental techniques in language and theatrical elements. Mahashweta Devi emerged as a dramatist exploring challenging themes, with plays like "Mother of 1084" and "Bayen" focusing on social issues, political movements, and marginalized communities.

 Themes and Influences

Indian English drama has been characterized by its diverse themes, ranging from historical and mythological subjects to contemporary social and political issues. The plays often reflect the complexities of Indian society, dealing with topics such as colonialism, post-independence disillusionment, gender issues, caste discrimination, and the clash between tradition and modernity.

The dramatic techniques employed by Indian English playwrights show influences from both Western theatrical traditions and indigenous Indian forms. Many playwrights experimented with form and structure, blending elements from classical Sanskrit drama, folk theatre, and Western dramatic techniques.

 Conclusion

The journey of Indian English drama from its inception to the present day reflects the evolving cultural, social, and political landscape of India. It represents a unique fusion of Indian themes and sensibilities with the English language medium, creating a distinctive theatrical tradition within Indian literature. Despite challenges such as limited performance opportunities and a relatively small audience base, Indian English drama has continued to grow and evolve, making significant contributions to both Indian and world literature.