Asian Theatre Asian Theatre 350 1350 CE no

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Asian Theatre

Asian Theatre

Asian Theatre • 350 -1350 CE – no organized theatre in West – Theatre

Asian Theatre • 350 -1350 CE – no organized theatre in West – Theatre was developing in Asia. Totally separate from development in the West • some think there may have been Western influence through Alexander the Great, though there is no proof. – Theatre emerges except where it is forbidden by law or religion • Early Christian Europe and Islamic ruled counties – not much theatre • India, China and Japan’s religion and culture embraced theatre • Unlike the West, religious roots of theatre are kept alive in Asian theatre • Asian theatre reached its high points when religion & philosophy was central in the culture

General characteristics • More reliance on dance and movement – “dance dramas” – Symbolism

General characteristics • More reliance on dance and movement – “dance dramas” – Symbolism • Movement of a hand can mean a great deal to the audience • Bharatanatyam – – Hindu Dance by Devadasi, women married to a deity (outlawed in 1988) • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=pr. QOd. Tm. F 8 u 0 • Total Theatre - Combination of dance, music, mime, text, acting

Origins – India and Sanskrit Drama • Origins are uncertain • Few references to

Origins – India and Sanskrit Drama • Origins are uncertain • Few references to drama in ancient writings • Few surviving buildings, though most theatre was probably in temporary spaces – Figurines of dancers from ancient Indus Valley from 4000 years ago have been found • First surviving plays written about 100 CE • Plays and performances were highly stylized

Sanskrit • Classical language of nobility • Language of sacred texts – Hindu and

Sanskrit • Classical language of nobility • Language of sacred texts – Hindu and Buddist • Plays were written in this noble language though some characters would speak a mixture of Sanskrit and local dialect. • Plays were not for the general public but noble classes • Based on themes of Indian epic literature

Indian / Sanskrit Theatre • Costumes followed fixed standards indicating caste or status •

Indian / Sanskrit Theatre • Costumes followed fixed standards indicating caste or status • Stock characters • Several common themes (10) – Erotic theme most popular • Actors often of low caste, mainly men but some women • Natyasastra by Brarata Muni – Guide to how to do theatre

According to Natyasastra – Origins – creator god Brahma petitioned to provide entertainment for

According to Natyasastra – Origins – creator god Brahma petitioned to provide entertainment for all castes – Brahma brought together song and dance in a new way to instruct and entertain – After gods had declined to organize it, the Natyasastra was entrusted to Bharata who started working on the first play about how the gods were victorious over the demons – Demons did not like it and tried to interfer with rehearsal – With divine assistance a sacred place was created, a sanctified theatre

According to Natyasastra • Each troupe had a leader – sudtradhara – Chief actor

According to Natyasastra • Each troupe had a leader – sudtradhara – Chief actor and managed others – Acting involved a combination of skills • Voice, body, emotions, costume and makeup

According to Natyasastra • Theatre was rectangular – Equal division between audience and performance

According to Natyasastra • Theatre was rectangular – Equal division between audience and performance space – Audience space was only 214 sq. m. – According to LT – theatre was 96 ft long by 48 ft wide. – Seating 200 – 500 – Four pillars in auditorium: yellow, blue, red, white – symbolized castes • Curtain divided space into two, one for

 • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ilow. Tu. S s 4 QI • http:

• http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ilow. Tu. S s 4 QI • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=xaj 1 WO Ls. H 9 I

Shakuntala by Kalidasa (373 414 CE) • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Rm. Nyx Ku.

Shakuntala by Kalidasa (373 414 CE) • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Rm. Nyx Ku. Elt 0 • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=gc. YUu. B x 1 Am. Y • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=r. Qof 2 C qwe 9 M • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Jm. HMF d. QX-OE

Sanskrit Drama • • • Declined by end of 9 th century 12 th

Sanskrit Drama • • • Declined by end of 9 th century 12 th century Arabs invaded Under Islamic rule, theatre not encouraged Old ways not maintained by the educated Folk drama continued, used same epic stories. • Dance Dramas – Kathakali –(Kerala) – http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Tl 3 UKV 1 z 9 l