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Ancient Indian Dramatists

The Ultimate Compendium of Indian Dramatists|| UGC NET English

The Ultimate Compendium of Indian Dramatists - UGC NET

The Complete Compendium of Indian Dramatists

For the UGC NET English examination, Indian Drama is a significant component of Unit IX (Literary Criticism) and Unit X (Indian Writing in English). The evolution of Indian theatre is marked by a transition from the rigid aesthetic structures of the Natyashastra to the politically charged street theatre of the 20th century and the identity-driven narratives of the 21st century.

"Drama is the fifth Veda, created by Brahma for all castes to provide instruction, relief, and aesthetic delight." — Natyashastra.

🏺 I. Ancient Sanskrit Dramatists

Classical Sanskrit drama represents the earliest sophisticated theatrical tradition in the world. Key concepts to remember include Rasa (aesthetic flavor), Dhvani (suggestion), and the absence of pure tragedy in the Western sense.

Bhāsa (c. 2nd Century CE)

Predating Kalidasa, Bhasa is known for his 13 plays rediscovered in 1912. He often adapted the Mahabharata and Ramayana with a focus on human psychology and tragic nobility.

Important Works:
  • Swapnavasavadatta (The Vision of Vasavadatta): His masterpiece on love and loss.
  • Urubhanga: The only Sanskrit play that depicts the death of a hero (Duryodhana) on stage.
  • Karnabhara: Focuses on Karna's tragic fate.

Kālidāsa (c. 4th Century CE)

Commonly referred to as the 'Shakespeare of India,' his mastery lies in the use of Shringara Rasa (love) and nature imagery.

Important Works:
  • Abhijnana Shakuntalam: The story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala. Famous for Durvasa's curse.
  • Malavikagnimitram: A court comedy.
  • Vikramorvasiyam: A play based on the Vedic myth of Pururavas and Urvashi.

Śūdraka

Author of the unique social play Mrcchakatika (The Little Clay Cart). Unlike courtly dramas, it features commoners like a merchant (Charudatta) and a courtesan (Vasantasena), offering a rare glimpse into ancient urban life.

Bhavabhūti (8th Century CE)

Ranked second only to Kalidasa, his plays are noted for their high philosophical content and Karuna Rasa (pathos).

Important Works:
  • Uttararamacharita: Deals with the later life of Rama, his abandonment of Sita, and their eventual reconciliation.
  • Malatimadhava: A romance with elements of the supernatural.

Other Ancient Notables:

  • Viśākhadatta: Mudrarakshasa (A unique political thriller without a female lead).
  • Harṣavardhana: King-playwright who wrote Ratnavali, Priyadarsika, and Nagananda.
  • Aśvaghoṣa: Author of Sariputra-Prakarana (Earliest known Buddhist drama).
  • Bhaṭṭa Nārāyaṇa: Venisamhara (Based on the Mahabharata, focusing on Draupadi's hair).
  • Rājaśekhara: Karpuramanjari (Written in Prakrit).

🏛️ II. Medieval & Late Sanskrit Dramatists

During the medieval period, drama became increasingly stylized and courtly, often focusing on devotional themes or complex linguistic play.

  • Murāri: Author of Anargharaghava, a play on the Ramayana.
  • Kṣemiśvara: Chanda-kaushika.
  • Jayadeva: Known for Prasannaraghava (different from the poet of Gita Govinda).
  • Rāmacandra & Guṇacandra: Authors of the treatise Natya-darpana and several Jain plays.

🇮🇳 III. Modern Indian Dramatists (19th – Mid 20th Century)

The dawn of modernity brought Western influence (Shakespearean structure) which later merged with indigenous folk forms to create a unique hybrid theatre.

Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941)

Tagore rejected the European realistic proscenium stage in favor of symbolic, lyrical, and philosophical drama.

Important Works:
  • The Post Office (Dak Ghar): A symbolist play about Amal, a dying child yearning for freedom.
  • Red Oleanders (Raktakarabi): A critique of industrialization and dehumanizing greed.
  • Chitra: A lyrical play based on the life of Chitrangada.

Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950)

Writing primarily in English, his plays are "closet dramas" infused with spiritual and philosophical depth.

Important Works:
  • Perseus the Deliverer: A retelling of the Greek myth with an evolutionary perspective.
  • Vasavadutta: A romance in blank verse.

Other Pre-Independence Voices:

  • T. P. Kailasam: Known as the 'Father of Modern Kannada Theatre'; wrote The Curse or Karna and The Burden in English.
  • Harindranath Chattopadhyaya: A versatile artist; wrote Abu Hassan and Siddhartha: Man of Peace.
  • Bharati Sarabhai: Known for The Well of the People (1943), which uses Gandhian ideals.
  • Asif Currimbhoy: India's first prolific modern English playwright. Works: The Captives, Inquilab, and Goa (1964).

🎭 IV. The "Theatre of Roots" & Regional Giants

Post-independence dramatists moved away from colonial models to rediscover "Indianness" through folk motifs, myths, and history.

The Trinity: Tendulkar, Sircar, Karnad

  • Vijay Tendulkar: Explored human violence and social hypocrisy. Works: Silence! The Court is in Session, Ghashiram Kotwal, Sakharam Binder.
  • Badal Sircar: Pioneer of the 'Third Theatre'. Works: Ebong Indrajit (And Indrajit), Basi Khide.
  • Girish Karnad: Used myth and history for contemporary allegory. Works: Tughlaq, Hayavadana, Naga-Mandala.
  • Satyadev Dubey: A brilliant director and playwright who championed modern Hindi and Marathi experimental theatre.

🌆 V. Contemporary Indian Dramatists

Current drama in India is marked by its exploration of the "margins"—the LGBTQ+ community, gender politics, urban alienation, and the impact of globalization.

Mahesh Dattani (b. 1958)

The first English playwright to win the Sahitya Akademi Award. He addresses "invisible" social issues.

Important Works:
  • Final Solutions: On communalism and prejudice.
  • Tara: On gender discrimination and physical disability.
  • Seven Steps Around the Fire: On the Hijra community.
  • Dance Like a Man: On male identity and tradition.

Contemporary Voices in English Drama:

  • Manjula Padmanabhan: Known for Harvest (a dystopian play about organ sale) and Lights Out.
  • Gurcharan Das: Famous for Larins Sahib (a historical play about the British in Punjab).
  • Dina Mehta: Brides are Not for Burning (dealing with dowry death).
  • Poile Sengupta: Mangalam and Inner Laws (exploring patriarchal structures).
  • Ramu Ramanathan: Cotton 56, Polyester 84 (focusing on the textile mill workers of Mumbai).
  • Abhishek Majumdar: The Kashmir Trilogy (Rizwaan, The Djinns of Eidgah).
  • Tanika Gupta: The Waiting Room and Lions and Tigers (exploring British-Indian history).

Theatre Practitioners & Experimentalists:

The contemporary stage is equally defined by directors who write and adapt scripts through a collaborative process.

  • Alyque Padamsee: Known for his legendary production of Tughlaq.
  • Feroz Abbas Khan: Known for Mahatma vs Gandhi.
  • Anuradha Kapur: Former director of NSD, focused on visual theatre and site-specific performance.
  • Neel Chaudhuri: A leading voice in urban theatre; wrote Taramandal.
UGC NET Quick Checklist:
  • Who wrote Ebong Indrajit? (Badal Sircar)
  • Which play won the Onassis Award? (Manjula Padmanabhan's Harvest)
  • Who is the "Father of Modern Indian Drama"? (Bharat Muni for ancient; Girish Karnad/Tendulkar for modern)
  • Focus on the "Sutradhara" and "Vidushaka" roles in folk adaptations.

© 2026 UGC NET Study Guide. Optimized for aspirants of English Literature.

A Note to UGC NET Aspirants

📌 A Vital Note for Aspirants

Dear Candidate, while the compendium provided above is a comprehensive gist of the most significant dramatists and their works, it is essential to remember that the UGC NET English Literature examination often demands a much deeper engagement with the texts.

Consider this document your conceptual roadmap. To ensure success, you must supplement this overview with the following steps:

  • Textual Depth: For major plays like Tughlaq, Abhijnana Shakuntalam, and Final Solutions, you should be familiar with the names of minor characters, key soliloquies, and the specific sequence of acts.
  • Critical Perspectives: Familiarize yourself with how critics like E. Alkazi or Aparna Dharwadker view these works. Understanding the "Theatre of Roots" movement in a theoretical context is often a favorite area for Paper II.
  • Chronology & Context: The exam frequently asks for the chronological ordering of plays or the identification of the specific historical events that inspired them (e.g., the Naxalite movement in the works of Utpal Dutt).
  • Original Prefaces: Reading the author's preface (like Karnad's introduction to Hayavadana) can provide invaluable insights into their dramatic technique and intent.
"Success in the NET lies in moving from the 'What' (names and titles) to the 'How' and 'Why' (technique, theme, and socio-political relevance)."

Treat this guide as your foundation, but let your curiosity lead you into the original scripts and critical essays for a truly competitive edge. Happy Studying!