THE collection of these papers results from the Seminar on Indian Drama, held at the Department of Post-Graduate Studies, in December 1971.
Some papers from scholars from abroad distinguished in the field provided basis for rewarding discussion. Those who could not come owing to sudden declaration of emergency sent their papers. As editor I wish to express my gratitude to the responses which have been received for contribution to the collection. The opening address, given by Professor D. Javare Gowda, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore, gave a good start to our deliberations. There was an assembly of scholars whose devotion to cultural affairs was unique and their meeting was an indication of India's record in the presentational arts and testimony to the vast breadth of dramatic accomplishment in India. There was an able production of Edward Albee's "Zoo Story".
An oral word is like a passing cloud; deliberations of a Seminar have the transient character of pleasures that come and go, leaving only impressions of our participants. Hence this volume. The papers by our hosts from abroad show their keen interest in Indian Classical Drama. The name of H. W. Wells is a familiar name in scholarly circles in India; Balwant Gargi's paper, although full of generality, provided basis for an excellent examination of a folk play, one of the oldest genres of drama in India.
Our endeavour is to give some idea of Indian Drama in the regional languages and in English. It is hoped that these papers, generously offered by scholars from a wide range of interests and localities, may serve as an index of the theatre activity in India. The deliberations and the reports indicate that no student of drama can safely afford to be doctrinaire. All the studies deal with the classical or the traditional drama or the drama in English but with little or no repetition of theme. The papers study the drama in Sanskrit, Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam and in English in India, the folk drama, their principles of acting and dancing and their mutual influence. The approaches indicate different ideas and philosophies, with the rough edges smoothed off by frequent discussions. The collection suggests that drama in India has abundant theatrical and literary aspects and the Volume presents only an aid to this end.
I am grateful to my colleagues and to my students for the success of the seminar and to the University Grants Commission for making it possible. We are indebted to the Director, Prasaranga of the University of Mysore for this handsome collection.
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