Sanskrit Theatre: The Hindu Experience

Western culture is aware of theatre, in its own conventions. Formal dress for a Broadway show, or casual-wear for an evening at the improv theatre. However, other nations and cultural groups have their own forms of theatre that we may not understand. For example: the Hindu Sanskrit Theatre.

Considered one of the earliest forms of theatre, fragments of the earliest plays have been traced to the 1st Century AD.However, the physical tradition is believed to be much older. Despite its age, Sanskrit theatre is still performed today, with the tradition being passed down from generation-to-generation.

Now here is where the tradition get interesting. Like our own Western forms of theatre, make-up and costumes are relied upon for the performance, as well as dance and music (in the case of our musicals). However, the cosmetics are much more flamboyant and weighty in Sanskrit Theatre, as seen below.

(Image courtesy of http://www.unesco.org/bpi/intangible_heritage/india.htm)

In the above image, a man is portraying the Hindu deity presiding over the performance (in this case Brahma), with the use of fire representing divinity, as well as cleansing the stage for the performance.
The difference is not solely in the physical, though. There is also very very little ordinary speaking, with most of the vocalizations being in song, to the tune of sitars, drums, and other simple instruments. Sanskrit theatre is considered a spiritual, learning experience for its audience members, rather than the simple entertainment we associate with theatre in our own Western culture. Many of the dances performed (majoratively behind the curtain) are religious rituals to appease of the deity presiding over the theatre, and to bring good luck to the performers.

(Image courtesy of http://picasaweb.google.com/102974136723002078176/TheInternationalFestivalOfSacredArts2009?feat=embedwebsite#5443667386875280226)

Sanskrit one of the greater languages used in India, even today, and holds a high position with linguists along with Greek and Latin. One of the earliest forms of the language is known as Vedic Sanskrit, which is the language used in the Hindu Vedas, or collections of hymns with theological and religio-philosophical significance (not unlike the Christian or Catholic Ten Commandments, but much more detailed in a philosophical sense). And thus, Sanskrit Theatre and it's performances derive heavily from the Vedas in order to teach the audience something, rather than simply entertain. The "Rasa," or eight aspects of a performance, are sort of a guideline for each play. Each play must contain themes of Love, Mirth (happiness), Wrath, Sadness, Vigor, The Terrible (tragedy), The Disgust (horror) , and The Marvelous. These eight Rasa are, combined, meant to distill a sense of peace within the audience (Peace becoming essentially the 9th Rasa).

There is a mythical origin to the Sanskrit Theatre Art, involving the god Brahma. Having already given the original Four Vedas, the God Brahma supposedly, in a time of great sin and evil, created the Fifth Veda: Natya (Theatre). Unlike the first four Vedas, "Natya" was available to all classes (rather than solely the upper-class), even to the illiterate, so that everyone could be taught the ways of the Vedas. This is what gives Sanskrit Theatre its spiritual significance. And not only not, but it's refinement as well.

As mentioned above, Sanskrit Theatre is handed down from generation-to-generation, and performers are trained from a very young age to know each and every movement of their body for the stage. Unlike Western theatre, the story and lessons are told through dance and the movement of the body, down to flickers of the eyes and brows.


(Courtesy of Indiavideo.org's Youtube Channel)

The video above is an excellent example clip from a performance. In it, a male character physically describes the beauty of the heroine (or female hero) of the performance. Using specially coded hand/body movements and facial expressions, he conveys the heroine's physical properties as well as her mindset. This is a typical part of the beginning of a performance in which, like a flyer or program for a Western play, the story and characters are summarized so that the audience may see the message and lesson of the performance. The performer in the video above is considered a master of body control, to be able to match each and every movement perfectly with his facial expression. While this may seem somewhat comical to Western audiences, we must keep in mind the different meanings of motions and expressions throughout the world. For example, a smile represents shyness or defensiveness in certain Asian cultures. While in early Native American language, a smile, or showing of the teeth, is a sign of anger or disrespect.

While Western culture is indeed aware of theatre, and may possibly embrace it more than it seems, we must also strive to embrace the traditions of other cultures. And through that, we may possibly come to know one another better, and create a more peaceful world. As well as a more thought-provoked and theatrically-well-versed world.

Sources:
http://www.culturopedia.com/Theatre/sanskrit_theatre.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit#Vedic_Sanskrit
Felner, Mira, and Claudia Orenstein.The World of Theatre: Tradition and Innovation. Boston: Pearson Education Inc., 2006. Print.