THEATRE SPACE IN INDIA

PREPARED BY CHRISTIAN GABRIEL TOLENTINO

THEATRE 162: ASIAN THEATRE

THE THEATRE OR PLAYHOUSES

It was said that Indian plays
were performed in specially
constructed theatres
Only Kings and very wealthy
people owned playhouses

NT-MANDIR (NTYA-MANDIRA)
Open Halls where common
people watch spectacles.
Playhouses can hold up to 400
spectators, compared to
Athenian theatre (15,000 pax)
The smallness of Indian theatre
was a necessary consequence of
their peculiar technique

Natyasastras playhouse devised by Vivakarman(The

Heavenly Architect)

3 types
Oblong (Vikrista)
Square (Caturasa)
Triangular (tryasra)
-In total there are 9 types of
playhouses

3 sizes

Large (Jyestha)(FOR THE GODS)

Medium (Madhya)(FOR KINGS)

Small (Avara) (COMMON PEOPLE)

PARTS OF THE THEATRE

32yrds x 16yrds
= 96ft x 48ft is
the largest. This
will be divided
into three parts

The Tiring Room

(Nepathya)
The Stage (Ragapitha)
The Auditorium
(Ragamandala)

The Tiring Room (Nepathya)

Placed on one end of the
theatre (16yrdsx4yrds)
The place where actors
put on the costumes.
Tumults, divine voices
happen here.
Separated from the stage
with two screens over its
two doors, between
doors are the orchestra
(Kutapa)

The Stage (Ragapitha)

On two side of the stage there should be
two Mattavaranis. Each occupying 4yrds X
4yrds and having 4 pillars each.
MATTAVARANIS- intoxicated Elephants
No painted scenery. Bare walls, like
Shakespearean walls.
Numerous description of Time and place

The Auditorium (Ragamandala)

24 yards x
16 yards for
the
spectators

The plays are full of such descriptive passages as can nullify the
achievements of decorators

 The Construction of the playhouse is sacred

work as the construction of a temple.
The playhouse should have the form of a
mountain cave and two stories
The cave for acoustical purposes and had four
pillars, intended to symbolize not only the four
caste but also the geographical region and
compass points:
The Master (of dramatic art) After he has
fasted for three days and nights, is to raise
the pillars in an auspicious moment at dawn

White (Brahmin Pillar) Articles

purified with ghee and mustard
seed. Kheer/Payasa should be given
to Brahmins during the ceremony
Symbol of purity and learning
associated with Brahmins

Red (Ksatriya Pillar)- Performed with

cloth, garland and unguent. Molasses
should be given to twice-borne caste
Symbol of energy and strength
associated with Ksatriyas

Yellow(Vaiya Pillar) Raised in the northwestern direction of the playhouse.

Brahmins should be given rice and ghee.
Symbol of Wealth (GOLD) Associated
with Vaiya

Blue (dra Pillar) Raised in the northeastern direction of the playhouse. Twice
born caste should be fed by Kesari

 Pillars should be fixed. If it moves or

turns around evil consequences will
follow. (e.g. Pillar shakes, enemy
state appears. Moves, drought comes,
turns around, fear of death occurs)

THE ZONES
Zonal Division(kaks-vibhga)
Having defined what is this
space for the actor. This should
be fixed whether it is a city, a
forest, a room. etc
Being no scenery the spectators
should use their imagination
utmost.
A zone might change with the
actor walking a few steps over
the stage

 Indicating Relative Location

Division should relate to location
inside, outside or middle. Far or
near.
The first one entering the stage
is inside the house. The next will
be outside
He who enters the stage with the
intension of seeing the people on
stage should favor to the right.

The Rule of Exit

EXIT where you enter.
If you are going to re-enter. EXIT
where the last person entered

 Indication of rank in group walking

EQUALS, walk side by side
One inferior. Other people must
surround him
Maids walking before the master.

Indicating distance great, small, and

medium.
Traveling depends on how long you let
the actor travel, but represented
through walking.

Movement of gods and demi-gods

Moves from towns, cities, forests, seas
etc, through an aerial car. But when they
disguise themselves as humans they
travel by land.
They have the power to move to any of
the divisions.

THEMES AND SUBJECT MATTERS

2 Rules in Sanskrit Drama
Set in India
Set in the Golden Age (120 AD -500
AD)

The show begins at the first

appearance of the sun
The time of performance may be
performed anytime of the day or the
night
The performance was to be
regulated according of the nature of
the play

Heroic play- Full of energy

(Better presented afternoon)
after completing morning
activities, one becomes
psychologically more competent
to appreciate stories of strength
and energy
Love play- (Erotic Sentiment)
Better presented evening after
a days work, one is inclined to
enjoy the company of a woman.

REFERENCES AND WEBSITES

https://jambudveep.files.wordpress
.com/2012/03/natyashastra.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatr
e_of_India#Forms_of_Indian_theatre
http://www.caluniv.ac.in/global-md
ia-journal/ARTICLE-DEC2013/Article
_12_Malyaban_Chattopadhyay.pdf

Living a Theatre History by Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb

Youtube.com

THANK YOU!!
HAVE A HAPPY BREAK!