Drama and Theatre in India

India is a land where several cultural influences has penetrated, making the culture of India rich. Theatre in ancient India was mainly Sanskrit plays. Kalidasa was one of the famous poets of Sanskrit. One of his famous plays was “The Recognition of Shakuntala”. Vana was another famous poet of Sanskrit.

The Middle East invasions of India created a great impact on Indian cultural scenario. Medieval Indian dramas were greatly influenced by Islamic culture.

During British India drama and theatre in India became a form of protest against oppressing colonization. Some of the nitable igures of this age in the field of Indian drama were Rabindranath Tagore, Michael Madhusudan dutta, Dinabandhu Mitra, Agha Hasr Kashmiri and Horasim Lebedev. Today Indian drama theatre absorbing elements from diverse international and indigenous sources is a domain of constant experimentation.

Some of the major theater and drama groups of India are Abhinaya Theatre Research Center in Kerala, Nandikar in west Bengal, Yours Truly Theatre, West Bengal, The Performer’s Wing, Sopanam Institute of performing Arts and Research, Prithvi Theatre, Bahuroopi, Aarshi Theatre Group, Little Thespian, Padatik, rangakarmi, Chetana, Indian People’s Theatre Association, Rangayana and other theatre groups.

Drama and theatre in India are true expressions of culture of India.