On the Origin of the Hindu Drama

Summary

This article investigates the origins of Hindu drama by focusing on the Ankiyā Nāṭ, a form of folk theatre from Assam. Developed by the Vaishnavite saint Śaṅkaradeva (1449–1568), the Ankiyā Nāṭ consists of one‑act plays (Bhaona) based on devotional stories and performed in monasteries and villages. The author contrasts the Ankiyā Nāṭ with classical Sanskrit drama: although both share features like an opening benediction (nāndī) and the role of the sutradhāra (director‑narrator), the Ankiyā Nāṭ uses vernacular language alongside Sanskrit and eliminates complex plot divisions. Instead of multiple acts, each Bhaona tells a single story emphasising bhakti (devotion) and moral instruction. The sutradhāra remains on stage throughout, explaining scenes and translating Sanskrit verses into Assamese. Music, dance and gesture are integral, aligning the form with the Nāṭyaśāstra’s theatrical prescriptions while remaining accessible to lay audiences. The article traces the historical roots of this genre to earlier indigenous performances and suggests that the Ankiyā Nāṭ may preserve elements of pre‑classical drama that influenced later Sanskrit theory. The author also discusses the socio‑religious context of 15th–16th century Assam, highlighting how the Bhakti movement used theatre as a tool for spreading Vaishnava doctrine. Through textual analysis and comparison with Bhāsa’s and Kālidāsa’s plays, the article argues that the origins of Indian drama should be sought not solely in elite court circles but in regional devotional traditions that synthesised ritual, music and storytelling.