📝 CLASSICAL SANSKRIT THEATRE 🔸Theatre in India began as a narrative art form, which encompassed a concoction of music, dance and acting. Recitation, dance and music were integral parts of theatre.🔸 The Sanskrit word ‘nataka’ was derived from the root word ‘nata’ which actually meant a dancer. Rupaka, Drishyakavya and Preksakavya were other words used to describe drama. In ancient India, plays were generally of two types: ◽Lokadharmi: These were realistic depictions of daily life. ◽Natyadharmi: These were conventional plays with a more stylised narration and overt symbolism.📝 Reasons for Decline of Sanskrit Theatre The reasons for decline of Sanskrit theatre include:🔸As Sanskrit dramatists began to diverge towards poetry, the lyrical writings started gaining popularity over the dramatic works. 🔸The rigid orthodoxy of the Sanskrit theatre restricted the creative space of new playwrights who turned to other forms. 🔸As Sanskrit became more and more embellished, it lost popularity among the masses. It was increasingly confined to the religious sphereand among the Brahmins, while other languages such as Pali and Prakrit took its place. 🔸With the advent of Muslim rulers, Sanskrit theatre took a definite backseat, as dance and music gained patronage.

📝 CLASSICAL SANSKRIT THEATRE

 

🔸Theatre in India began as a narrative art form, which encompassed a concoction of music, dance and acting. Recitation, dance and music were integral parts of theatre.

🔸 The Sanskrit word ‘nataka’ was derived from the root word ‘nata’ which actually meant a dancer. Rupaka, Drishyakavya and Preksakavya were other words used to describe drama. In ancient India, plays were generally of two types:

 

◽Lokadharmi: These were realistic depictions of daily life.

 

◽Natyadharmi: These were conventional plays with a more stylised narration and overt symbolism.

📝 Reasons for Decline of Sanskrit Theatre

 

The reasons for decline of Sanskrit theatre include:

🔸As Sanskrit dramatists began to 

diverge towards poetry, the lyrical writings started gaining popularity over the dramatic works.

 

🔸The rigid orthodoxy of the Sanskrit theatre restricted the creative space of new playwrights who turned to other forms.

 

🔸As Sanskrit became more and more embellished, it lost popularity among the masses. It was increasingly confined to the religious sphereand among the Brahmins, while other languages such as Pali and Prakrit took its place.

 

🔸With the advent of Muslim rulers, Sanskrit theatre took a definite backseat, as dance and music gained patronage.