Cultural Resilience Through Theater: An In-Depth Examination of Dramatic Narrative Communication in the Post-Partition Era (original) (raw)
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2021
This study is an attempt to trace the impacts of socio-political conditions in the formation and evolution of drama and theatre traditions in Pakistan. It provides the genesis of theatre and drama in Pakistan intertwining it with the past and present situations of this genre of literature. It also ventures at the inert position of drama and theatre in English in Pakistan. Qualitative textual analysis is conducted to analyze and highlight the major available critical acumen in the genre of Pakistani drama and theatre. The methodology adopted is interpretive of the theatrical performances by major theatre groups, and the contributions of key playwrights in cementing the foundation of drama and theatre traditions. The major findings are related to the socio-political situations prevalent since the inception of Pakistan and their significance in shaping both dramas in writing and drama in performance. It also examines the role of pioneer theatrical groups and their projects that carved ...
International Journal of Communication Development, 2014
Abstract: Theatre has been an integral part of Kashmiri culture since ancient times. Its genesis in Kashmir can be traced back to 12th century when texts like Nilmata Purana and Kalhana’s Rajtarangini were written, which revealed the glory of genre of drama at that time. With the passage of time, this genre of Kashmiri culture saw many ups and downs, but managed to survive and later on thrived. Today, there are many theatre groups flourishing in the valley which make their presence felt significantly with their work in Kashmir. This paper tries to investigate how theatre started and developed in Kashmir and how well it has been successful in communicating to the common people, by taking the case study of two prominent theatre groups of Kashmir – Funtoosh and EKTA. Keywords: Theatre, Funtoosh, EKTA, Nilmata Purana, Kalhana, Rajtarangini
Theatre reflects the social fabric of a society. It is not just a medium of entertainment; rather it’s a vibrant tool for cultural conservation. Cultures that lack arts and its allied forms rapidly stagnate and finally get diminished. If language is the spirit of a particular community or culture, theatre and performing arts is its heart. Theatre has also emerged as an important platform for cultural amalgamation thus reducing the gaps between two different societies or nations. India, as a British colony, once had a large Pashtun population roughly equal to that of Afghanistan, mostly concentrated in the North-West Frontier Province and Baluchistan. In Rohilkhand and Western Uttar Pradesh, Pashtuns made large settlements subsequent to 14th century and prior to the 20th century. The Pashtuns, as the history betrays give neck and neck fighting to the imperialist East India Company in 1857 with never surrendering absolutely. Today the Pashtuns in India can be divided into those who speak Pashto and those who speak Urdu, the latter group being much larger. Now, Pashtuns in India hardly remain in few thousands due to negative population growth. Pashtuns in India are highly educated and had worked on top brass positions in both government as well as non-government sectors. His Excellency, Dr. Late Zakir Hussein, the Third President of Independent India was a Pashtun. He received his doctorate in economics from the University of Berlin in 1926.In India; Pashtuns had hold high positions in various ministries, defense forces, commercial sectors as well as media-entertainment sector. Pashtuns are one of the most cultured societies on this planet. Hospitality, bravery, honesty, compassion forms the bed-rock of Pashtun culture. Since the dawn of civilization, Pashtun society had loved music and dance, though theatre shows its presence in the days of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Frontier Gandhi) who was fighting for the Independence of India and Pashtun renaissance. Pashtun theatre basically focuses on historical themes or Pashtun Nationalism. Pashtun dances which are collectively called Attan not only signify entertainment but also communicate strong social and cultural messages. Thus, this Research Paper attempts to zero in on the theatre and other performing arts and the message conveyed by them to entire world in general and Pashtun Society in particular. As Afghanistan is rapidly moving towards path of national reconstruction, Pashtun theatre and other performing arts are playing an important role in inspiring the Afghans to bring their lost glory back. Key Words: Theatre, Performing Arts, Attan, Pashtun, Music, Dance
THEATRE AND SOCIOLOGICAL ISSUES WITH REFERENCE TO CONTEMPORARY INDIA
Theatre is a form of communication, which does not use technology as the primary channel. The primary role of such a medium is to inform, entertain, persuade, and provide a means for connecting people. Theatre in India, as we see it, has a rich history, heritage and culture. Many people in India believe that "Theatre is Cinema", and that the living theatre of the stage in the village square or in the temple is dead (Farley P. Richmond et al, 1993:3). However, we find Indian theatre very much alive. As time passed, the form of communication turned to a mediated communication which means the communication interaction using technology as the primary channel, around the world for which India is not an exception. However, the theatre form of 2 communication has been a key medium in addressing sociological issues. The objective of this paper is to examine the ace role played by the theatre in addressing the social problems in contemporary India.
Theatre: A medium of development communication: Case Study of two Theatre groups in Jammu
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research
Over the ages, Theatre has played a vital role in spreading development communication among the societies. This paper attempts to introspect the role of Theatre as a mode of Development Communication in Jammu. This paper portrays the historical contribution of the Jammu Theatre. The paper is based on case study of two prominent Theatre groups of Jammu namely Natrang and Natraj Natya Kunj. The paper focuses on the part of theatre messages and its dissemination among the people. Interview method was used to collect the information from two focus groups. Information was further used to frame the conclusion, with reference to the role of theater directors, and their strategies behind the communication to create awareness in society. The theatre groups were chosen based on their track records as well as their popularity. The paper also highlights light the concept that Theatre is an important medium of communication that depicts community development and generating awareness among the pe...
THEATRE FOR DEVELOPMENT IN INDIAN CONTEXT : AN INTROSPECTION
GLOBAL MEDIA JOURNAL INDIAN EDITION
This paper will introspect the role of theatre in development communication. Theatre is a very effective & responsive tool for foster the growth of development procedure. It starts off by the history of theatre in international & Indian context and with the origin & nature of development communication in third world perspective. Then the paper attempt to espouse the liaison between theatre & development by using Paulo Freire & Augusto Boal’s analysis. In India theatre worked as a weapon against political exploitation in British rule. After independence Theatre remains relevant for its participative & flexible nature. This paper also focuses on Leftist ideology in theatre & anti-fascist theatrical movement. In India theatre emphasizes the themes such as agriculture, literacy campaign, social harmony, girl trafficking, child labour, gender discrimination, religious tolerance, women empowerment, prevention of HIV-AIDS, family planning, pulse polio, nutrition, environment pollution etc. Three case studies of Nazariya, Kolkata Creative Art Performer & Ashokenagar Natyamukh give a detailed account on how theatre disseminates developmental idea in different parts of India. This paper concludes that theatre plays an effective & crucial role in conflict resolution, cultural identification, community development, social control, social protest, spreading mass awareness in different social issues to the grass root people.
THEATRE COMMUNICATION IN CONTEMPORARY INDIA: PROMOTING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL VALUES
Education and Society, 2024
Communication is a process through which we share information, ideas, and experiences till we reach sahridayta. Communication is an essential part of any society as it provides an identity and definition of that culture. As society has a complex structure, communication enables the understanding and interpretation of these complexities within the society, as well as outside the given geography of that society. This way, we see that there is an intrinsic connection between humans, society, and communication. Theatre is one of the unique ways of human communication in which society participates and shares its culture and tradition. Theatre is a live form of communication where there is a sharing of multiple cultural aspects through different modes. Theatre does not only disseminate the message through stories but also constitutes other elements which are useful in enhancing the effectiveness of the message. Both verbal and non-verbal modes of communication are experienced and expressed vibrantly in theatre. In the age of ubiquitous digital disruptions, theatre is playing a significant role in connecting humans. It also enables sharing of culture from abstract to concrete. In a very subtle way, theatre gives exposure to connect and understand one’s own culture and it also allows one to get exposure to unknown cultural values and beliefs. The ancient Indian Sanskrit scripture Nāṭyaśāstra is a significant text which provides a detailed blueprint for theatre as well as communication practices. Interestingly, the scholarship looking for the Asian perspective of communication has explored Nāṭyaśāstra extensively. However, empirical research is rarely found in this area. The present paper aims to study the social relevance and contributions of theatre by way of promoting and protecting traditional values in the age of mass media. The qualitative research approach has been used in the present work in order to explore the values of theatre leading to the promotion of culture and traditions. The researchers have employed interviews as a tool for data collection. The data has been gathered from 65 theatre practitioners and theatre audiences during five prominent theatre festivals organized in five major North Indian cities. Keyword: Asian perspective, Nāṭyaśāstra, Theatre communication, Promoting tradition, Cultural values.
2017
INTRODUCTION: 'Marginality' coined from the term 'marginal' is considered to comprehend the different aspects of influence governed by authority, dominance and supremacy in the post-colonial period. Marginality exits in terms of perspectives: thus financially or ethnically cornered people are marginal. Similarly rural folks are marginal to urban people, whereas women are marginal in a male dominated society. In this era of digital globalization, theatre has been reduced to a marginal sphere in the face of electronic media, soaps, serials and films. Again, since Kolkata is considered to be the epitome of Bengali culture and heritage, then Malda would definitely be a marginalized area. Thus discussing about theatre of Malda district would be discussing about a 'marginal art' from a 'marginal boundary'. Jacques Derrida makes an interesting observation with regard to writing: "…writing is dangerous from the moment that representation their claims to be presence and the sign of the thing itself. And there is a fatal necessity, inscribed in the very functioning of the sign, that the substitute make one forget the vicariousness of its own function and make itself pass for the plentitude of a speech whose deficiency and infirmity it nevertheless only supplements. … 'The sign is always the supplement of the thing itself.' (1976, 144-145)" 1 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whenever there is a discussion about the history of Bengali theatre, the discussion always restricts to the theatres happening in and around Kolkata. The theatres, the playwrights and their works happening in the different other districts of Bengal go largely unnoticed. Even though this plays portray the socio-cultural 'revolution' of the local areas but the witness to such revolutions remain largely 'marginalised' as the spectators who are a witness to this movement are also representatives of the same marginal areas. Hence, being residents of the district of Malda, we find it absolutely necessary to portray these suppressed marginal voices from the district and try to find the contributions that the playwrights of this district have made towards the history of theatre in Bengal. Through our research and field study, we have so far come across seventy six plays. In this paper we will restrict our discussion to the contemporary plays and try to focus on the following key areas: A) The dramatic tendency of the playwrights of the district. B) The influence of the contemporary social movement on the playwright. C) The influence of folk-culture on the playwright.
Theatre Research and Publication in India: An Overview of the Post-independence Period
Theatre Research International, 2010
This article offers an overview of theatre research and publication in India. It comes in two parts. The first examines theatre research post-independence (1947) up until the 1990s – a period of new economic thinking and a liberalization of sociocultural values. The second focuses on theatre research and publications from 2000 onwards, identifying ways in which more recent scholarship has been concerned with the concept of modernity in theory and practice; has begun to address questions of form, style, space and performativity; and has explored urgent social issues. What emerges in this overview is a feel for how complex the field of theatre research is in India given its multiculturalism. In concluding it draws attention to current and future challenges for theatre and theatre scholarship posed by issues such as globalization, communalism, terrorism and religious fundamentalism.