Major Theatre Forms – UPSC Prelims

Theatre Forms
State
Theme
Nautanki
Uttar Pradesh
Often draws   on romantic Persian literature for   its themes.
Tamasha
Maharashtra
Evolved from the   folk forms such as gondhal, jagran and kirtan.
Bhavai
Gujarat
Subtle social criticism laced with   humour.
Jatra
West Bengal/Orissa   and eastern Bihar
Originated in   Bengal as a result of the Bhakti   movement. Initially known as Krishna jatra due to Chaitanya’s   (spiritual founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism) influence.
Koodiyattam
Kerala
Oldest traditional theatre forms of  India, it follows the performative principles of the ancient tradition of  Sanskrit theatre. In 2001, Koodiyattam was officially recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible   Heritage of Humanity.
Mudiyettu
Kerala
Traditional ritual   theatre and folk dance drama from Kerala that enacts the mythological tale of   a battle between the goddess Kali and the   demon Darika. The ritual is a part of the bhagavathi or   bhadrakali cult.
Bhaona
Assam
A creation of   Srimanta Sankardeva (an Assamese saint-scholar), these plays were written   in Brajavali, a unique Assamese-Maithili   mixed language, and are primarily centered on Hindu deity, Krishna.
Maach
Madhya Pradesh
It is a sung folk   theatre that has a semi sacred character, blending religious and secular   themes.
Bhand Pather
Kashmir
Satire, wit and parody are commonly used   in this folk drama that incorporates local mythological legends and   contemporary social commentary.

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