Indian English & Postcolonial Drama: Ultimate UGC NET Guide
Master the evolution of Indian theater in English and postcolonial dramatic traditions for your UGC NET English Literature preparation
Introduction to Indian English & Postcolonial Drama
Indian English drama and postcolonial theater represent a vibrant intersection of indigenous traditions and colonial legacies, offering unique perspectives on identity, power, and cultural hybridity. This comprehensive guide covers all essential playwrights, movements, and concepts for UGC NET aspirants.
Why This Unit Matters for UGC NET
Indian English & Postcolonial Drama typically carries 4-7 questions in UGC NET English. Key areas include:
- Major Indian English playwrights and their works
- Postcolonial theory and its application to drama
- Themes of identity, hybridity, and decolonization
- Comparative analysis with Western drama traditions
- Regional theater movements and their English adaptations
- Contemporary trends in postcolonial performance
Pioneers of Indian English Drama
The foundation of modern Indian theater in English was laid by these visionary playwrights:
The most celebrated Indian English playwright who bridged myth and modernity.
- Hayavadana (1971) - Based on Thomas Mann's retelling of Indian folklore
- Tughlaq (1964) - Political allegory about the 14th-century Sultan
- Naga-Mandala (1988) - Folk tale about a woman and a cobra
- The Fire and the Rain (1998) - Adaptation from Mahabharata
Marathi playwright whose works were widely translated into English.
- Ghashiram Kotwal (1972) - Political satire set in Peshwa era
- Sakharam Binder (1972) - Controversial exploration of sexuality
- Kamala (1981) - Critique of media ethics and women's exploitation
Contemporary playwright exploring urban Indian issues and marginalized voices.
- Final Solutions (1993) - Hindu-Muslim communal tensions
- Tara (1990) - Gender discrimination and conjoined twins
- Dance Like a Man (1989) - Conflict between tradition and modernity
- Thirty Days in September (2001) - Child sexual abuse
Key Characteristics of Indian English Drama
Cultural Hybridity
Blending of Indian themes with Western dramatic forms
Mythic Imagination
Reinterpretation of epics and folk traditions
Social Critique
Examination of caste, gender, and communal issues
Linguistic Innovation
Use of Indian English dialects and code-switching
Postcolonial Theory in Drama
Key concepts from postcolonial studies relevant to dramatic literature:
Othering
Colonial representation of non-European cultures as inferior
Hybridity
Homi Bhabha's concept of cultural mixing and ambivalence
Subaltern
Gayatri Spivak's term for marginalized voices
Mimicry
Colonial subjects imitating but distorting colonial culture
Decolonization
Process of undoing colonial mentalities and structures
Neocolonialism
Continued economic/cultural domination post-independence
Application to Dramatic Texts
- Karnad's Tughlaq: Allegory of postcolonial disillusionment
- Dattani's Final Solutions: Examination of communal identities
- Badal Sircar's Evam Indrajit: Urban alienation in postcolonial India
- Utpal Dutt's The Great Rebellion: Reinterpretation of 1857 revolt
Contemporary Indian Playwrights
The new generation of Indian English dramatists exploring contemporary issues:
Feminist playwright and graphic novelist.
- Harvest (1997) - Dystopian view of organ trade
- Hidden Fires (2003) - Response to Gujarat riots
Marathi playwright exploring queer identities.
- Ek Madhav Baug - Gay relationships in urban India
Contemporary voice addressing globalization.
- Free Outgoing (2007) - About a sex scandal in call center
Emerging Themes in Contemporary Drama
- Globalization and its impact on Indian society
- Queer identities and LGBTQ+ rights
- Urban alienation and technological disruption
- Environmental concerns and ecological crises
- Dalit and tribal perspectives
Comparative Study: Regional Theater Traditions
Indian English drama draws heavily from regional theater forms:
Bengali Theater
Rabindranath Tagore, Badal Sircar (Third Theater)
Marathi Theater
Vijay Tendulkar, Satish Alekar, Pu La Deshpande
Kannada Theater
Girish Karnad, Chandrashekhar Kambar
Hindi Theater
Mohan Rakesh, Habib Tanvir (Naya Theater)
Traditional Theater Forms Influencing English Drama
- Sanskrit Drama: Natyashastra traditions, Kutiyattam
- Folk Theater: Jatra (Bengal), Tamasha (Maharashtra), Nautanki (North India)
- Yakshagana: Karnataka's dance-drama form
- Theyyam: Ritual theater of Kerala
- Bhand Pather: Satirical Kashmiri theater
Historical Timeline of Indian English Drama
First Indian English play: Krishna Mohan Banerji's The Persecuted
Tagore's The Post Office performed in English translation
Girish Karnad's Tughlaq marks beginning of modern Indian English drama
Vijay Tendulkar's Ghashiram Kotwal - Political satire
Mahesh Dattani's emergence with Dance Like a Man
Manjula Padmanabhan's Harvest wins Onassis Award
New generation explores globalization, queer identities
UGC NET Preparation Tips
Important Questions to Focus On
- Analyze Girish Karnad's use of myth in his plays
- Discuss postcolonial themes in Mahesh Dattani's works
- Compare Indian English drama with British drama traditions
- Examine the representation of gender in Vijay Tendulkar's plays
- Discuss the influence of regional theater forms on Indian English drama
- Analyze contemporary Indian drama's treatment of urban issues
- Compare the dramatic techniques of Karnad and Dattani
- Discuss postcolonial theory in relation to Indian theater
Recommended Study Approach
- Read at least 2 plays each by Karnad, Dattani, and Tendulkar
- Make comparative charts of themes and techniques
- Practice applying postcolonial concepts to dramatic texts
- Study the historical development of Indian English drama
- Solve previous years' UGC NET questions on this unit
Memory Aid: Indian English Drama at a Glance
Pioneers: Karnad (Tughlaq), Tendulkar (Ghashiram), Dattani (Final Solutions)
Themes: Postcolonial identity, Gender, Communalism, Urban alienation
Forms: Mythic theater, Political satire, Domestic drama, Experimental
Theory: Hybridity, Othering, Subaltern, Mimicry, Decolonization
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