Folk TheatreWhat Is Yakshagana? Costumes, Music, and Stories
Towering headgear, all-night epics, and thunderous drums: a simple guide to Yakshagana, the dance-theatre of coastal Karnataka.
Read MoreStories & Articles
Deep dives, histories, profiles, and essays on the art and soul of Indian theater.
Folk Theatre
Classical TheatreWhat Is the Natya Shastra?
The ancient treatise that gave Indian theatre its grammar: what the Natya Shastra is, who Bharata Muni was, and why…
Read More
Classical TheatreWhat Is Koodiyattam, the UNESCO Sanskrit Theatre?
Perhaps two thousand years old and honoured by UNESCO, Koodiyattam is Kerala's stately Sanskrit theatre of eye-acting and sacred drums.
Read More
Classical TheatreWhat Are the Navarasa, the Nine Rasas?
Love, laughter, wonder, peace and more: a clear guide to the navarasa, the nine emotional flavours that shape Indian performance.
Read More
Classical Theatre
Rasa vs Bhava in the Natya Shastra, Explained
One is what the actor portrays, the other is what the audience tastes. A simple explanation of rasa and bhava,…
Read More
Folk TheatreNautanki vs Tamasha: What Is the Difference?
Two of India's most beloved folk theatres, side by side: where they come from, how they sound, and what sets…
Read More
Modern TheatreHabib Tanvir and Why Naya Theatre Was Revolutionary
Habib Tanvir tore down the wall between folk and modern theatre, building Naya Theatre around Chhattisgarhi performers and their own…
Read More
Stage to ScreenZohra Sehgal: A Century of Theatre, Dance, and Joy
Dancer, stage actor, and screen presence into her nineties, Zohra Sehgal spent nearly a century in performance, from Uday Shankar's…
Read More
Stage to ScreenUtpal Dutt: The Political Theatre Giant Who Could Also Make You Laugh
A titan of Bengali political theatre and a master of comedy, Utpal Dutt moved from revolutionary stage plays to some…
Read More
Stage to ScreenSurekha Sikri: The NSD Veteran Who Won Across Three Decades
An NSD graduate and repertory veteran, Surekha Sikri spent a lifetime in service of the role, collecting three National Awards…
Read More