Spring 2007

ANS 372 • Theatre & Drama in South Asia

Course Description

This course will approach South Asian culture through its rich history of dramatic literature and theatrical performance. Various forms such as modern urban drama, political and street theatre, ritual and secular folk theatre, and classical Sanskrit drama will be examined together with their social meanings and cultural contexts. The course works in reverse chronology, starting with a futuristic play published in 1999, and ending with The Little Clay Cart, an ancient classic. A number of films and videos of performances will be shown.

Grading Policy

Mid-Term 20% Final exam 30% Term paper 40% Class participation 10%

Texts

Reading Selections will include: Farley Richmond, et al., Indian Theatre; Manjula Padmanabhan, Harvest; Girish Karnad, Naga-Mandala; Badal Sircar, Changing Language of Theatre; Eugene van Erven, The Playful Revolution; Balwant Gargi, Folk Theater of India; Kathryn Hansen, Grounds for Play; Mahesh Dattani, Dance Like a Man; Phillip Zarrilli, Kathakali Dance-Drama; J. A. B. van Buitenen, trans., Two Plays of Ancient India, 47-180.

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