Why Theatre of India?
When the assignment was first announced in class about creating a scrapbook based on World Theatre, I knew I wanted to explore a topic (and region) that I knew relatively nothing about, but was rich in information. Last year in my Text Analysis class, the concept of rasa was briefly introduced as an analytical tool that could be used in further investigating plays, but specifically, the audience and what they are meant to experience in response to what they are seeing and hearing. I found myself drawn to this idea of a focused/sought-after audience reaction to a given text by use of "flavors." Subsequently, I started thinking about ways that a director, specifically, could apply rasa in analyzing contemporary texts. Could an Eastern practice from the other side of the world be used to engage American theatre-going audiences? If so, how? Creatively speaking, what doors would be opened to me as a director if I were to practice the concept of rasa on shows I direct?
At the end of the term, I decided to experiment with the idea of using rasa to analyze David Henry Hwang's play, M. Butterfly. I paired my rasa/bhava analysis with a spatial analysis and then, I created a chart that would go scene by scene in the three-act play. Below are the charts I created for M. Butterfly.
At the end of the term, I decided to experiment with the idea of using rasa to analyze David Henry Hwang's play, M. Butterfly. I paired my rasa/bhava analysis with a spatial analysis and then, I created a chart that would go scene by scene in the three-act play. Below are the charts I created for M. Butterfly.
Researching Theatre in India was a logical choice for me given my interest in rasa and open mind towards other aspects of theatre in this region. Further research of India’s traditional form of dance-drama has been fascinating, albeit, overwhelming in content. Creating this website has offered me a chance to share some of India's theatre with other theatre practitioners. While this scrapbook is meant to serve as only an introduction to some of the basic principles and rituals that are part of Indian Theatre, it is my hope that others will be equally intrigued by this visually stunning form of theatre. Certainly, I hope to continue to use rasa as I further my own directing career and find ways to incorporate "flavors" into all of my future projects.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!