List of traditional Indian theatre

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Kutiyattam is the only surviving specimen of the ancient Sanskrit theatre, thought to have originated around the beginning of the Common Era, and is officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. In addition, many forms of Indian folk theatre abound. [1] They are listed below.

TheatreState/RegionOriginatedFeaturesExponents
Akhyana Gujarat Enactment of religious episodes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata by Mana-bhatas Premanand Bhatt, [2] [3] Narsinh Mehta, Acharya Hemachandra
Ankia Naat Assam Written in an artificial old medieval period poetic Assamese and Maithili mixed language called Brajavali and are primarily centered on Krishna, which usually combine live instruments and singers, dance and elaborate costumes in production
Bayalata Karnataka
Bhand pather Kashmir it consists of unique combinations of dance, drama and acting
Bhaona Assam
Bhavai Gujarat
Burrakatha Andhra Pradesh
Chhau Jharkhand,West Bengal & Orissa
Dashavatar Maharashtra and Goa
Harikatha Southern India
Hela Khayal Dangal Rajasthan
Jatra West Bengal
Kalaripayattu Kerala
Kathakali Kerala
Marathi Keertan Maharashtra
Kathakatha West Bengal
Kudiyattam Kerala
Maach Madhya Pradesh
Naqal Punjab
Manipuri Sankirtana Manipur
Nautanki Uttar Pradesh
Odissi Orissa
Ojapali Assam
Padayani Kerala
Pala Orissa
Pandavani Madhya Pradesh
Powada Maharashtra
Raas Leela (Raas Mahotsav) Assam
Ramlila Northern India
Raslila Uttar Pradesh
Rabana Chhaya Orissa Shadow puppetry
Swang Rajasthan
Swang Uttar Pradesh
Tamasha Maharashtra
Tang-ta Manipur
Terukkuttu Tamil Nadu
Theyyam Kerala
Tholpavakoothu Kerala
Tiatr Goa
Wari-leeba Manipur
Yakshagana Karnataka

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References

  1. Dharwadker, Aparna (2005). Theatres of Independence: Drama, Theory, And Urban Performance in India. University of Iowa Press. ISBN   0877459614.
  2. Dalal, Roshen. Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. p. 17.
  3. Datta, Amaresh (1987). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN   8126018038.