Question

throw light on the structure of sanskrit drama and write the salient features of the fourth act of the abhijnanshakuntalam.

Answer 1

Answer:

The dramatic composition and staging techniques of ancient India can

be derived primarily from two sources - the extant plays with their stage

directions and the numerous dramaturgical texts and books of theory and

criticism. The Indian theatre doesn’t have any surviving theatre buildings

which might shed light on its origins and development. From the plays we

learn that Sanskrit theatre is sophisticated and multidimensional. Sanskrit

theatre is meant to be a reflection oflife in ancient India. Rather it is a model

of human behaviour and in this it has served a very definite educational

function. It gives us a perspective ofthe pervading views of Hindu philosophy

and religion and to some degree those ofBuddhism.

FEATURES OF SANSKRIT DRAMA

Drama is an art that must communicate an emotional atmosphere by

its effective representation on the stage. There are many similarities

between human life and drama. Every human being has to enact many

significant roles in life before he ranishes from the stage of the universe he

is to represent. In other words human being has to play many roles like

those of a parent, guardian, husband-wife, brother-sister, lover etc. before

he-she retires the green room of life.

According to ancient Indian tradition, drama was something that

equalled with life. This explains why it was treated with great gravity. The

existence of an extensive work on Sanskrit dramaturgy like N¡¶ya¿¡stra

(NS) points to the fact that there was a live tradition in India. There is

ample evidence from the NS that it gives most significant to the

performance of drama than its near appreciation by reading.