Indian Culture of Theatre and Films : Article by: Dr. Anadi Sahoo is the Founder of Spiritual Bharat, a Spiritual Educational Institute where academic, social, and religious values are taught
As of 2021, India had approximately 14,89,115 schools according to UDISE. The Government of India plans to utilize 9,742 cinema screens in the mornings to showcase audio-visual content about various states’ museums and temples, targeting students from the 5th class and above. This initiative aims to enhance cultural awareness among students.
India is a land of diversity. These diversifies have made the Indian culture a unique one. Evidence of drama culture was present in Vedic texts, as dramas were enacted during Yajna ceremonies like Purana Katha and Rama Lila etc.
Theatre is the place where the culture of the people is displayed, be it dance, drama or music. Indian Music and dance is one of the most revered identities of our culture. Dance is the form of vibration of our body and mind.
A national theatre should, therefore in the fitness of things, emit the fragrance of the cultural heritage of a nation and should, apart from its exterior loveliness, be in harmony with the atmosphere of the country and the traditions of its people;-
like Ramlila, Krushnalila, Radhaprema lila, Bharata lila, Harikatha, Harischandra, Dandanata, Sakhinata, Chaiti Ghoda, Suanga, Ghudukinata, Baunsa Rani, Samaja, Bandinata, Bhanumati khela, Chhaunata, Maharinata, Sabda Swaranata, Desinata, Gotipua, Prahlad Natak, Pala, Daskathia etc.
The origins of Indian Theatre, to date, are the subject of dispute and debate and widely believed that the art form finds its origins in Sanskrit drama and the works of Vyasa, Kalidasa, Shudraka, Vishakhadatta, Bhavabhutti and Harsha.
Sanskrit drama’s period began in the 2nd century BCE and its end in the 10th century CE was marked by several foreign invasions and rulers that banned this art form, thus causing its decline.
The essence of Sanskrit theatre, however, continued to live on in the southern part of India, especially in the form of Koodiyattam. The sculptures that teaches dance date back to the Indus Valley Civilization also portray dancing figures.
Bharat Muni’s book Natya Shastra is the first famous source to mention dance.
This text dates back to the 2nd century AD. In this text, the creation of dance is credited to Lord Brahma, who takes its knowledge from the four Vedas.
India has various forms of dances including classical dances and folk dances. There are two basic aspects of Natya Shastra:
Lasya ; It denotes grace, bhava, rasa and abhinaya. It is symbolic to the feminine features of dance as an art form and
Tandava: This is symbolic to the male aspects of dance and has more emphasis on rhythm and movement. There are three basic elements:
Nritta – These are the basic dance steps and are performed rhythmically but devoid of any expression or mood
