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Ancient Sanskrit Theatre
c.150 BCE - 1100 CE
Introduction
Sanskrit theatre refers to the drama of ancient India, written in the classical Sanskrit language. It is difficult to pin down exactly when this form of theatre began, but it probably originated during ancient religious ceremonies. Its influence lives on in modern performances and it has played a key role in shaping modern Indian literature and culture. This guide explores the early origins of Sanskrit drama and the standard structure and style favored by Sanskrit playwrights.
Terminology
- Epic Poem: a lengthy narrative poem.
- Natya Shastra: an encyclopedic treatise on performing arts attributed to Bharata Muni.
- Nayaka: the hero in a Sanskrit drama.
- Nayika: the heroine in a Sanskrit drama.
- Purvaranga: ritual prayers at the beginning of a Sanskrit drama.
- Vidusaka: the clown in a Sanskrit drama.
Key Dates & Events
- c.200 BCE - 200 CE - Bharata Muni's A Treatise on Theatre (Nātyaśāstra) is completed.
Context & Analysis
Drama and Performance
The earliest recognized playwright of Sanskrit drama was Asvaghosa, a Buddhist monk. He is believed to have lived around the mid-first to mid-second centuries CE but there are no complete collections of his work surviving today. Another of the earliest playwrights was Bhāsa, who lived in the third/fourth century CE. Although his plays were lost
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Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher