History of Indian drama and theatre

The word “drama” has its origin in Greek. It is originated from word “dra” meaning “do”. In this way, ‘’ or ‘action’ is column beam of the whole dramatic premise. Aristotle has also acknowledged action as the predominating component of drama. Narrative holds much importance in fiction, but action and dialogue hold paramount significance in drama. Drama is a representational art, a visible and audible narrative presenting virtual, fictional characters within a virtual, fictional universe. It is appropriate to say that the composition of drama is more difficult task than other forms of literature. The playwright has to coordinate various elements like dialogue, music, plot, metaphoric construction, psyches of the characters and audience, paraphernalia and stage craft along with the unity of time. Drama serves varied functions- providing for the instruction, entertainment, enlightenment, happiness, peace and moral upliftment. It teaches one one's duty and reveals one's sorrow. “As against every play performed or published, three novels or six collections of poetry (including anthologies) were published” (Kumar 1). Women's theatre in India has also seen some degree of activity, although one could hardly refer to it as ‘feminist’ theatre in the given ‘Western’ sense of the term. "Modern Indian dramatic writing in English is neither rich in quantity or, on the whole, of high quality, Enterprising Indian have for nearly a century attempted drama in English-but seldom for stage production” (226).