The term contemporary theatre is used in the present context in a broad sense to include not only classical art forms like Kathakali and Kutiyattam, but even modern experimental threatre. Natyasastra, ascribed to the mythical Bharata, is encyclopedic in its scope and range. Its authorship, date, and even textual details may be problematic. But there can be no denying of the fact that it represents an Indian attempt to give shape to its own theatrical philosophy which was never lost sight of until the advent of modernity ushered in by colonialism. Hence, we just cannot imagine a genuine Indian threatre without a reference to the broad theoretical framework outlined in this extra-ordinarily rich store-house of indigenous theatrical knowledge. Regional art forms like Kutiyattam, Kathakali, Krisnanattam, Yaksagana, Bharatanatyam or even folk forms like the Yatra of Bengal are tied to the Natyasastra through an umbilical chord. For that matter, even modern experimental theatre makes use of the stagecraft of Bharata and concepts like that of the Sutradhara.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR C. Rajendran
Dr. C. Rajendran is currently working as Professor & Head of the Department of Sanskrit, University of Calicut. He had an illustrious academic career, securing First Class and First Rank for both his B.A. and M.A. degrees, with University record marks. He was awarded the prestigious University Grants Commission scholarship for his post graduate studies. He joined University of Calicut in 1978 after a brief stint as a Lecturer in Sree Kerala Varma College, Trichur. A man of wide ranging interests, Dr. Rajendran has specialized in Aesthetics, Philosophy, Linguistics, Comparative Literature, Chess History, and Ancient Indian Management. He has authored a dozen books and about two hundred learned articles published in various national/international journals. Dr. Rajendran has traveled extensively in India and abroad and presented several research papers in various conferences/symposia. He has been a resource person for U.G.C. Refresher courses in various Universities of India in subjects like Indology, Environment Science, Comparative Aesthetics and Literary Theory. He was selected for the Sahitya Akademi Award for Literary criticism for his work, Pathavum Porulum in 2001. Address: 28/1097, Rajadhani Chevayur, Calicut, 673017 Ph. 354624, 604957
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