List of Famous Indian Traditional Folk Theatre | Traditional Indian Folk Theatre Forms: history and importance of indian folk theatre

Folk Theatre is art of music, dance, recitation, graphic, religion and festival. The Folk theatre having roots in native culture, local identity and social values. It helps Indian society as indigenous tools of inter-group, interpersonal and inter-village communication. Folk theatre used in India for awareness of people such as political, critical social and cultural issues in the form of theatrical messages.

➡ Don't forget to check out:- To know more details about Indian Folk Theatre, Click Here.

List of Famous Folk Theatres of India

Ankia Nat (Assam)

It is a one-act drama created by Shankar deva, Themes are taken from Vaishnava, core, the epics and Parana’s Krishna is the most favorites theme.

Bhavai (Gujarat)

It is folk-theater from Gujarat full of dancing, singing and humor, Men act the female roles also. Rajasthan has also its own Bhavai tradition similar to Gujrat.

Jatra (Bengal)

It ia a popular form of entertainment. The themes are varied Krishna Yatra, Vidya Sundar Jatra (One of the many secular themes), themes based on Myths, Swadeshi Yatra (patriotic themes).

Kariyala

A folk drama of Himachal Pradesh, It is also know for its humour and social criticism. Sutradhar is called Kariyattu. Humours characters like Maskara or Vidushaka, add humor.

Krishna Leela

A Krishna drama that evolved in the 15th – 16th century is known as Krishna Leela. This drama is very popular in Braja region of U.P. Boys used to dress as girls act and sing in praise of Krishna. The style is semi narrative and semi dramatic.

Kutiyattam

It is unique style of staping Sanskrit dramas in Kerala. The dramas of Bhasa, Harsha, Mahendravikrama, Kulashekharavarma and others are played in temple theatres known as Kuttampalam.

Maha Rasa (Manipur)

It is grand affair depicting the dance of love. Krishna performing with the beautiful cowherd girls led by Radha.

Macha (M.P)

Macha means stage. It originated in Ujjain. This musical dance-drama used to be enacted during harvest season during Holi to entertain farmers of Malwa. Themes are taken from mythological stories, folk tales of romance and valour and historical episodes. The jester is called as Bedhaba or Shermarkha. The songs are sung in traditional folk tunes and also in classical and semi-classical modes.

Nautanki (North India)

The dialogues are mostly in verse from which are sung in high pitch on the beats of a percussion instrument called Nagara. Dance of female is provocative. Themes include love, romances and mythological dramas. Laila Majnu, Heer Ranja, Amar Singh Rathore and Shyah Posh are popular nautanki plays.

Mudiyettu

It is a ferocious ritualistic dance-drama of great antiquity which is annually performed at Kali temples in Kerala.

Oja-Pali (Assam)

Manas cult used to perform this semi dramatic narrative style of play. The chief narrative is called Oja. Palis are his associates forming a chorus playing on the drum and symbols.

Rass Leela

As the play concerns the childhood of Krishna, the main actors of the play are children, again the boys perform the part of girls. The play is divided into two parts. Rass and Leela. Raas is the opening part in which Krishna and Radha perform dance sequence. Leela starts after Rass and is the dramatization of some episode of Krishna’s life.

Ram Leela

Tulsidas, the composer of Ram Charitamansa, started the tradition of performing Rama plays at Kashi. Episodes from Rama’s life are enacted at different places in Kashi during the period of Dussehra Festival. Ram Leela or Ramnagar is quite famous.

Tamasha (Maharashtra)

It is the most interesting and entertaining folk drama from of Maharashtra. Traditionally, It is an open air performance.

Theyyam

This is a ritualistic dance of Kerala representing ancestor worship. The dancers also represents local gods and godesses.

Therukoothu (Tamilnadu)

Staging is done at the Draupadi Amman temples from March to July every Year. The source is Indian mythology. All the roles are played by men only. It is similar to Yakshagana of Karnataka.

Yakshagana (Karnataka)

The themes are derived from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas, The actors wear very colourful makeup and costumes. The chief narrator is called Bhagavata. There is jester too. He is called Konnagi. Traditionally it is an open air Performance.

Further Related Post about Culture

An Overview Of Indian Classical Music Forms Ragas And Roots Different Dance Forms Of India With States And Famous Artists Never Underestimate The Influence Of Indian Culture And Heritage

An easy way to learn Step-by-Step Online Tutorial, know more Use this Link..