![]() Dramatisation of Epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are storehouses of beautiful stories, powerful dialogues and exciting dramatic moments. Professional storytellers like Kathakas used to narrate these stories dancing, singing and dramatizing various episodes of these epics before the rural folk. There were also Pathakas and Dharakas. The Pathakas read out or sang from the text of the epics giving histrionic effects where necessary. The role of the Dharakas who accompanied the Pathakas was to explain the text using equally dramatic style. Like the Kathakas, the Pala and Daskathia singers in Orissa carry the remnants of those early simple forms of dramatic performance. ![]() Works of Panini and Patanjali The great grammarian Panini and the great exponent of Yoga, Patanjali, also throw interesting light on ancient dramaturgy. Though the disciplines they dealt with did not exactly require any special discussion of the performing arts, they have often provided valuable information about their contemporary dramatic performance by way of illustrating a point. For example, from Panini's famous book on grammar, Astadhyai, it is known that actors not only recited, they also sang. The actresses used to sing and dance. Male actors, known as Bhrukumsas also played the parts of female characters. Panini also mentions two compilers of Nata sutras (treatises for actors), namely, Silalin and Krusasv. So also Patanjali in his 'Mahabhasya' informs about the evolution of drama from its epic background. He also describes the actors whom he calls Saubhikas. Vishnuite and Shaivite interpretations The worshippers of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva had their own stories of the genesis of dramatic art. 'Dasarupa' the famous work on ancient dramaturgy takes an analogy from the ten incarnations of Vishnu and discusses the ten genres of drama. 'Bruhatkatha' of Gunadhya (3rd cent A.D) narrates the story of an actress enacting the story of Samudra Manthan (churning of nectar.) Lasabati was enacting the stealing of nectar by Vishnu disguised as a beautiful woman. King Hala, who was viewing the play fell in love with Lasabati and married her. The image of Nataraja Shiva is the presiding deity of performing arts. The Shaivaites and the Shaivaite Tantriks project this image of Shiva. Great classical dramatists like Kalidasa, Bhavabhuti and Sudraka have invoked Shiva in their plays. ![]() Buddhist and Jain Dramatic works Buddhists and Jains have placed strict strictures on their followers forbidding their participation in song, dance or plays. However, while depicting their theology they speak about the importance of performing arts in the life of the great prophets. Lalita Vistara for example, declares that the Lord Buddha was proficient in 'the art of the Veena, all manners of instrumental music, dance, song, recitation, Lasya, comic and dramatic action.' The Jainas seem to be still stricter in their austerity and instruct that the Bhikkhu should not go where stories are told or where acrobats are performing. Dramatic shows, songs and music should be shunned. Nevertheless, when god Suryabha comes to render homage to Lord Mahavira, he displays in his honour his knowledge of the dramatic art. Thus discussed is a brief glimpse into the origin of Indian drama. |
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