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Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s1.t8: Indian Drama

Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s1.t8

Language
English

Indian Drama

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Indian Drama is one of most important dramas in the world which originated and spread in the territory of India. It features special theory system and perform forms.

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Indian drama has a long history. In Veda-samhita, there were carols in form of dialogue and chorals attached with a narrative synopsis. This can be seen as the beginning of the Indian drama. Like western dramas, Indian drama is also likely originated in the religion fete activities. Religion uses dramas as a propaganda tool, thus contributing to the development of the drama. After two epic *Mahabharata* and *Ramayana* came out, a dramatic form of folk singing of epic content was gradually produced, and lasted till today. A book *Dance Theory* written by Bharata putatively is the oldest Sanskrit drama writings. *Dance Theory* discusses drama’s

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Treatise on Indian Dance (‘Nāṭya śāstra’)

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origins, nature, functions, drama, movement, expression, language, style, clothing, makeup, characters, audience and music and many other elements and details involved in body performances and language performances. Drama theory is a kind of practice and summary of drama practice, from which one can imagine the ancient Indian drama performances’ maturity. The later drama workers recognised Bharat as Indian drama’s founder.

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From the extant documents, we can see that Indian classical Sanskrit drama went into prosperity after the beginning of the Christian era. The earliest extant scripts are fragments of three plays written by Buddhist poet and dramatist Maming in about first and second century. The *Sariputta Biography* is a nine-act play, the content is about a story that two Buddha's disciples Sariputta and Moggallana converted to Buddhism. These three plays fragments were discovered in the early 1900s in China's Xinjiang. Temples in South India have tradition of performing dramas. In 1910, an Indian scholar found 13 plays in a library of a temple near Bodemopa City in South India, which was considered to be written by the famous Sanskrit dramatist Bhasa in about second or third century. This is a major event in the history of Indian drama. Bhasa’s 13 plays were mainly drawn from two Sanskrit epics of India and other legends. Sanskrit drama *Mricchakatika* written by Sudraka putatively is a realistic drama that reflects common people's lives and struggles. There are as many as 34 characters in the play, the plot goes up and down, and changes delicately. Poet and dramatist Kalidasa's creation makes Indian ancient drama reach the pinnacle of glory. His major plays include *Sakuntala*, *Vikramorvasiya* (also translated as: *Urvashi*) and *Malavikagnimitra*. Their plots go up and down with beautiful language and artistic charm, and thus become a diamond of Indian models and the world drama collections. Bhavabhuti who was active approximately in the 8th century, was the most important classical Sanskrit dramatist after Kalidasa. His three famous plays are *Jasmine and Youth*, *Daxiong Biography* and *Later Luomo Biography*. They insinuate reality by historical legends and

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'Little Clay Cart', Chinese version (front cover)

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obtain a great success after the performance. *Mudrarakshasa* written by Visakhadatta who lived in about 5ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ century and *Venisamhara* written by Bhatta Narayana who lived before 8ᵗʰ century are two very influential political dramas.

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Along with the decline of Sanskrit itself and the Muslim invasion of India, Indian literary drama gradually declined, but folk drama still survived stubbornly. Opera performances were essential activities during the idolatrous festivals. Since 19ᵗʰ century, the traditional drama was restored in Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and other regions gradually. Meanwhile, modern drama whose contents were anti-colonialism and feudalism began to appear. In the second half of 19ᵗʰ century, hundreds of plays came out in Bengal, showing unprecedented prosperity. Of course, these plays was mixed, most works were not good. Bangladeshi playwright Dinabandhu Mitra completed *Indigo Mirror* that was the first drama against British colonial rule in 1860, which caused great repercussions in the community after the show. It announced the birth of modern Indian drama. In 20ᵗʰ century, Indian modern dramas’ content gradually revealed the real life. Now, in rural areas, the traditional drama performances are still very popular. In the urban areas, the modern media plays an increasingly significant impact on drama. However, people still watch a variety of theatrical performances during important festivals.

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Indian Sanskrit drama

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Indian drama was introduced into China from the 1920s. In 1924, the Indian poet Tagore visited China; and forged a remarkable friendship with Chinese opera master Mei Lanfang. In May 7, coinciding with the 64-year-old birthday of Tagore, Chinese party held a grand birthday celebrations for the poet, in the evening, Tagore's plays *Chitra* was performed in English at Beijing Union Medical College Auditorium. This was the first time that an Indian play was performed in China. Tagore expressed to Mei Lanfang the hope that he wanted to see his performance before leaving Beijing. Mei Lanfang then invited the poet to watch his myth opera *Goddess of the Luo River*. On May 19, Mei Lanfang fulfilled his promise and treated Tagore with a special performance of *Goddess of the Luo River*.

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In 1956, Ji Xianlin translated Indian Sanskrit poet and dramatist Kalidasa's poetic drama *Sakuntala* from Sanskrit into Chinese and published it. Chinese Youth Art Drama had performed this drama in 1957 and 1980 in Beijing ceremoniously, giving Chinese audience the opportunity to appreciate the extraordinary charm of Indian drama.

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In 2011, Lanzhou University students re-rehearsed *Chitra* for commemorating the 150ᵗʰ anniversary of Tagore's birth. In 2013, Peking University students re-rehearsed the poet's well-known play *Post Office* for commemorating the 100ᵗʰ anniversary of Tagore, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

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*Mricchakatika* written by Sudraka, Kaladasa's other two drama works *Malavikagnimitra*, *Vikramorvasiya* and all Tagore's main works were translated into Chinese. Meanwhile, *Biography of Ah Q* written by Lu Xun has been adapted into a drama and performed in India, which received audience's praise.

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*(Zhao Jiazi & Liu Jian)*

Cites (12)