Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c10.s8.1

c10.s8.1

The theatre practices of the *cākyārs* (actors of the Sanskrit theatre — *kūṭiyāṭṭam*) are severely criticized in the fifteenth century ᴄᴇ by the anonymous author of *Naṭāṅkuśa* from Kerala. The author of *Naṭāṅkuśa* is a puritan and applies his vast Śāstric knowledge for the condemnation of the liberties and improvisational techniques of the *cākyārs* on the Kerala theatre. He stands for a faithful presentation of the play of an author according to the regulations of *Nāṭyaśāstra*. Presenting a critique of the performance of some of the great classical plays like *Āścaryacūḍāmaṇi* of Śaktibhadra and *Pratijñāyaugandharāyaṇa* of Bhāsa by the *cākyārs*, he makes a scene by scene threadbare analysis of the transgressions and violation of the norms done by the performers. His criticism involves moral issues and the question of freedom of the performer. The following practices of the *cākyārs* are specially rejected by him: