B.Tech

This Subject Includes

• Course No: HS 220
• Course: B.Tech
• Semester: V
• Title: Modern Indian Drama
• Stream: English

• Preamble: This course will be an introduction to modern Indian drama starting from its roots late 19th century Parsi theatre to works by some of the most important playwrights of post Independence India. The course will also draw attention to the formal links between theatre and the silent era of early cinema and the ways in which theatre has evolved in aesthetic technological terms to carve out its own space in the midst of the growing popularity of cinema. Another point of discussion will be the dearth of female playwrights and the emergence of the female actress on stage. There will also be readings and discussions of the history of post Independence Indian theatre and the works of specific playwrights who have formulated own responses to social and political issues.

  Course Content: Early precursors of Indian theatre, Parsi Theatre: the historical and cultural role of the colonial state and the native elite in theatre production companies; The politics of gender and performance in early theatre: the lives of early male actors like Jaishankar Bhojak ‘Sundari’, Jaishankar Prasad and Fida Hussain Narsi; The absence of the female playwright and the emergence of the female actress on stage: the case of Binodini Dasi; Formal links between theatre, dance and silent era cinema; The history of post-Independence Indian theatre: from the Nehruvian Era to the Jana Natya Manch in reclaiming theatre for the people; The role of the National School of Drama in defining Indian theatre; Readings of specific memoirs and plays in response to major debates on nationalism and issues of social and political importance: Mahesh Elkunchwar: ‘Garbo’, ‘Reflection’; Vijay Tendulkar: ‘Kamala’, ‘Sakharam Binder’; Mahesh Dattani: ‘Tara’, ‘Dance like a Man’, ‘Final Solutions’; Girish Karnad: ‘Hayavadana’, ‘Dreams of Tipu Sultan’ and ‘Bali’; Badal Sircar: ‘Procession’, ‘Bhoma’, ‘Stale News’.

  References:

  1. Kathryn Hansen, Stages of Life. 2011

  2. Kathryn Hansen, Grounds for Play: The Nautanki Theatre of North India. 1993.

  3. Ananda Lal, The Oxford Companion to Indian Theatre. 2004.

  4. Arjun Ghosh, A History of the Jana Natya Manch: Plays for the People. 2012.

  5. Mahesh Elkunchwar, ‘Garbo’ and ‘Reflection’ from Collected Plays. 2010.

  6. Vijay Tendulkar, ‘Kamala’, and ‘Sakharam Binder’ from Five Plays. 1997.

  7. Mahesh Dattani, ‘Tara’, ‘Dance like a Man’ and ‘Final Solutions’ from Collected Plays.

  8. Penguin India. 2000.

  9. Girish Karnad, ‘Hayavadana’, ‘Dreams of Tipu Sultan’ and ‘Bali’ from Collected Plays 2017. Badal Sircar, Three Plays. 2009 Badal Sircar, Three Plays. 2009.