Modern Indian Theatre

India has the richest and longest tradition in theatre. The origin of Indian theatre is intimately associated with the ancient rituals and the seasonal festivals. The Natya Shastra of Bharat Muni is the earliest surviving text on theatre and drama. The Indian theatre encompasses all the different forms of fine arts and literature like dance, music, mime, movement, sculpture, painting and architecture. The Indian theatre can be classified into 3 distinct types: the Sanskrit theatre or the classical theatre, the folk theatre or the traditional theatre and the modern theatre.

Modern Theatre in India is completely urban in nature. It is created by & primarily for the middle class & upper middle class. The development of Modern Theatre in India may be attributed to a change in the political set up in India. The 200 years of the British rule brought the Indian theatre into direct contact with the western theatre. The seeds of Modern Theatre were sown in the late 18th century, with the consolidation of British power in Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. It was in the thriving metropolises of Bombay, Calcutta and Madras that they first introduced their brand of theatre, based on London models. The initial purpose of the British, while introducing Modern Theatre in India was to provide entertainment for the British soldiers and citizens trying to acclimatize themselves to a foreign country. For the first time in India, the writing and practice of theatre was geared fully towards realistic or naturalistic presentation. The themes also underwent a drastic change. They were no more woven around big heroes and gods, but had become a picture of common man. Initially most dramatic works were composed in three languages - Bengali, Tamil and Marathi. But later plays began to be written in other languages like Kannada, Gujarati, Hindi, Oriya, Urdu and English.

The harmonious blend of eastern and western culture gave birth to a rather modern form of Indian theatre. To entertain the British soldiers and the citizens for acclimatizing themselves to a foreign country like India, Indian theatre gradually became a replication of the western plots. Also, for the first time in India, the practice of writing and theatre was running full fledged. Realistic approach and naturalistic presentation marked the change in the thematic development of Indian theatre. Gone were the days of the lives of heroes, Gods, celestial beings and myths of the ancient India; on the contrary it is the common man, their daily chores, their fears and tears were ideally portrayed in the modern Indian theatre. That was just the beginning of the journey of modern Indian theatre.













Change was marked during this time not only in the socio political level and in the economic condition but also in the artistic and cultural aspects of India. Indian drama and theatre also went through a sea change, which not only altered the traditional aspects of "roopaka" and "natya" in Indian drama, but also at the same time added a whole fresh enunciation to the theatrical and narrative forms. The overdramatic aspects were rationalized. The themes also witnessed a change and for the first time the ardent fervor of the religious, historical and mythological aspects were not given that importance.

The modern Indian theatre started to grow more in the 1850s as the theatre enthusiasts started to perform their own play on different languages which were based on western style. It passed to Bombay and to many North as well as in South Indian states. These new form of the Indian theatre started to grow at the cost of extinction of other traditional form of theatre. This new hybrid form of Indian theatre turned to a ticketed theatre in the 1870s as it slipped from the hands of the riches. However, it was with the thriving development of the different "Brand Theatres" during the beginning of the 19th century the varied contemporary aspects, in the Indian theatre made its presence felt in quite a distinct way. Calcutta and Madras were the first two metropolises to introduce their theatre brands. Classically based on the London models these theatre brands are still reckoned as the pioneer of modern Indian drama and theatre. At the end of the 19th century, this modern form of Indian theatre became the source of earning of bread and butter to many. It moved to the hands of common public and turned into a commercial unit.

Modern Indian theatre was thus not only the amalgamation of art, dance, music and dialogues but was a means of reaching people and addressing their issues and was of course the main element in changing the social and political ailments of independent India. The modern theatre of today boasts a number of unique characteristics , including commercial ventures, various grades and qualities of amateur work, limited attempts at experimentation, & determined effort to establish and sustain school and college theatre programs.