Performing Arts II: Indian Music, Regional Theatre & Puppetry
Classical and Folk Music Traditions
Classical and Folk Music Traditions
| Hindustani Classical Music (North India) | - Synthesized Indian tradition with Persian/Islamic influences in medieval period - Composition & improvisation equal weight; **Gharana** system (Gwalior, Agra, Kirana) - Styles: - *Dhrupad:* oldest, spiritual/austere, accompanied by Pakhawaj drum (Tansen) - *Khayal:* lyrical/romantic, fast ornamentations (*taans*), Tabla - *Thumri:* semi-classical, expressive love poetry, linked to Kathak |
| Carnatic Classical Music (South India) | - Retained indigenous styles free from external influences - Highly structured compositions (*Kritis*) with limited spontaneous improvisation - **Purandara Dasa:** Father (*Pitamaha*) of Carnatic music - **Trinity of Carnatic Music:** Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Shyama Sastri |
| Classification of Musical Instruments (Atodya) | - **Tata Vadya (Chordophones):** vibrating strings (Sitar, Sarod, Veena, Tanpura, Santoor, Sarangi) - **Sushira Vadya (Aerophones):** air columns (Bansuri, Shehnai, Nadaswaram, Shankha) - **Avanaddha Vadya (Membranophones):** stretched membrane (Tabla, Mridangam, Pakhawaj, Dholak) - **Ghana Vadya (Idiophones):** solid resonance (Ghatam pot, Manjira cymbals, Kartal) |
| Major Folk Music Genres | - **Baul (West Bengal):** mystical search for divine within human body ("Man of the Heart"); Bhakti/Sufi influence - **Pandavani (Chhattisgarh):** musical Mahabharata episodes (Tijanbai) - **Lavani (Maharashtra):** rapid Dholki beats, dance, satire, romance - **Maand (Rajasthan):** desert classical-folk hybrid, valor & romance (*Kesariya Balam*) |
Regional Theatre Traditions
Regional Theatre Traditions
| Yakshagana (Karnataka) | - Night-long theatre based on Hindu epics; dance, music, heavy makeup, improvised dialogue |
| Bhavai (Gujarat) | - Fast-paced street theatre on social issues via comedy/music; balance brass pitchers on head |
| Jatra (West Bengal) | - Open-air theatre on Vaishnavite, religious & historical themes; loud music & dramatic gestures |
| Koodiyattam (Kerala) | - Oldest surviving Sanskrit temple theatre; expressive eye movements (UNESCO Intangible Heritage) |
| Bhand Pather (J&K) | - Secular folk theatre of satirical plays with dance, music, clowning |
| Bhaona / Ankia Nat (Assam) | - Created by Srimanta Sankardev; Krishna stories using large masks (*chochos*) |
| Dashavatar (Konkan/Maharashtra) | - 10 incarnations of Vishnu depicted in temple festival plays |
| Ramman (Uttarakhand) | - Ritual theatre in Garhwal Himalayas for deity Bhumiyal Devta (UNESCO Intangible Heritage) |
Puppetry Traditions in India
Puppetry Traditions in India
| String Puppetry (Kathputli) | - *Kathputli (Rajasthan):* wooden heads, no legs, simple strings - *Kundhei (Odisha):* light wood, long skirts, multiple joints - *Gombeyatta (Karnataka):* styled after Yakshagana costumes |
| Shadow Puppetry (Flat Leather) | - *Tholu Bommalata (AP):* large translucent leather puppets, colored shadows - *Ravana Chhaya (Odisha):* single-piece untanned deer skin, **opaque black shadows** (no joints/holes) - *Togalu Gombeyatta (Karnataka):* small jointed leather puppets |
| Rod Puppetry (Controlled from Below) | - *Putul Nach (WB):* large heavy puppets dressed like Jatra actors, waist-rods - *Yampuri (Bihar):* wooden puppets depicting heaven, hell, Yama's court |
| Glove Puppetry (Hand Puppets) | - *Pavakoothu (Kerala):* Kathakali makeup/costumes, Ramayana stories - *Bommalattam (TN):* hybrid string & rod puppetry |
UPSC Recall & Traps
UPSC Recall & Traps
| Dhrupad Instruments Trap | - MCQ trap: Dhrupad is accompanied by **Pakhawaj** (or mridangam), NOT Tabla |
| Tabla and Sitar Origins | - Attributed to 13th-century poet-musician **Amir Khusrau** under Delhi Sultanate |
| Muthuswami Dikshitar Signature | - Signature word (*Mudra*) in Sanskrit compositions: **Guruguha** |
| Ravana Chhaya Shadows Trap | - Casts solid **opaque black** shadows (untanned deer skin without holes), unlike Tholu Bommalata (colored shadows) |
🖼️ Supplemental Asset Directory
Supplemental Asset Directory
- Yakshagana Performance:
- Koodiyattam Theatre:
- Mudiyettu Ritual Theatre:
- Burra Katha Narrative Theatre:
- Naqal Bhand Performance:
- Talamaddale (Seated Yakshagana):
- Pagati Veshaalu Art:
- Bhand Pather (J&K):
- Bhaona (Assam):
- Ankia Nat (Assam):
- Dashavatar (Konkan):
- Daskathia (Odisha):
- Maach (MP):
- Nautanki (UP):
- Tamasha (Maharashtra):
- Villu Pattu (TN):
- Powada (Maharashtra):
- Ramman (Uttarakhand):
- Bayalata (Karnataka):
- Bhuta (Karnataka):
- Garodas (Gujarat):
- Jatra (Bengal):
- Kariyila (Himachal):
- Krishna Attam (Kerala):
- Kuruvanji (Tamil Nadu):
- Naqal Bhand (Punjab):
- Oja Pali (Assam):
- Pagati Veshaalu (Telangana):
- Ramlila (UP):
- Raslila (UP):
- Swang (Punjab):
- Talamaddale (Karnataka):
- Theyyam (Kerala):
- Puppetry Classification Map:
- Kathputli String Puppet:
- Kundhei Puppet:
- Gombeyatta String Puppet:
- Tholu Bommalata Shadow Puppet:
- Ravana Chhaya Shadow Puppet:
- Togalu Gombeyatta Shadow Puppet:
- Putul Nautch (Rod Puppet) 1:
- Putul Nautch (Rod Puppet) 2:
- Pavakoothu Glove Puppet:
- Bommalattam Puppet (Hybrid):
