All About Folk Theatre of India

(Kashmir) 

• Humour through satire, wit, and parody are used to induce laughter in the play.
• It incorporates musical elements with instruments like surnai, nagaara, and dhol.
• Actors mainly come from the farming community, reflecting their way of life, ideals, and sensitivity.

(Assam)

• It is a presentation of the Ankia Naat of Assam, featuring cultural glimpses of Assam, Bengal, Orissa, Mathura, and Brindavan. 
• The Sutradhaar initiates the folk theatre story in Sanskrit, transitioning into Brajboli or Assamese.

(Gujarat)

• Primarily found in Kutch and Kathiawar regions. It blends devotional and romantic sentiments, creating a distinctive cultural expression.

(Andhra Pradesh)

• It is an oral storytelling technique consisting of a main artist or narrator and two vanthas or co-artists who provide the rhythm and the chorus.
• Burra is the percussion instrument used during the performance. 

(Kerala)

• It is a popular Christian art form in Kerala, originated during 17th century AD.  It is also called stamping drama, as the artist stamps the floor.

(Konkan And Goa)

• Performers personify the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
• They use stylised make-up and wear masks made of wood and papier-mache.

(Odisha)

• There are two narrators – Gayaka (chief singer) and Palia (co-narrator) who mainly narrate the story of Shiva and other Gods.
• The narration is accompanied by music composed using a wooden musical instrument called kathia. 

(Gujarat)

• Popular art form of the ‘Garoda’ community. 
• It uses painted pictures to narrate stories of romance and valour.

(Himachal Pradesh)

• It is an open-air theatre. The performance occurs throughout the night and comprises a series of small plays and skits.

(Kerala)

• It is rooted in Sanskrit theatre traditions.
• It involves distinct characters, including Chakyaar (actor), Naambiyaar (instrumentalists), Naangyaar (women’s roles), Sutradhar (narrator), and Vidushak (jesters).
• It is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

(Kerala)

• It originated in the 17th century under King Manavada of Calicut’s patronage.
• It comprises eight plays performed over eight consecutive days.

(Tamil Nadu)

• The first Kuruvanji was composed by Thirukutarajappa Kaviyar. 
• The basic theme revolves around a love-struck heroine. 
• It is performed in a dance ballet form with Bharatnatyam. 

(Kerala)

• It is celebrated during Vrischikam (November-December) and is primarily performed in Kali temples.
• It serves as an offering to the Goddess and portrays the triumph of goddess Bhadrakali over the asura Darika.
• The performance features seven characters, including Shiva, Narada, Darika, Danavendra, Bhadrakali, Kooli, and Koimbidar, all adorned with elaborate makeup.

(Assam)

• It is associated with the festival of Manasa or the serpent goddess. 
• Oja is the main narrator, and Pali are the members of the chorus.

(Maharashtra)

• Represent the heroic deeds of Shivaji against Afjal Khan. 
• They are sung by the folk musicians known as Gondhalis and Shahirs.

(Uttar Pradesh)

• It is based on Lord Krishna’s legends. It’s believed that Nand Das wrote the initial plays. It combines prose dialogues with songs and scenes.

(Punjab And Haryana)

• Initially, folk theatre was music-based but gradually incorporated prose into its dialogues. Two styles of Swang exist in Rohtak and Haathras, featuring Haryanvi (Bangru) and Brajbhasha languages, respectively.

(Maharashtra)

• Unlike other theatre forms, the female actress (Murki) is the chief exponent of dance movements.
• It incorporates classical music, lightning-speed footwork, and vivid gestures to portray various emotions.

(Tamil Nadu)

• It is performed to ensure a bountiful harvest. At its core, there is a cycle of eight plays based on the life of Draupadi.

(Deccan)

• It is a form of musical theatre in which stories of Ramayana are narrated.

(Karnataka)

• It is an open theatre that presents prominent episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.