Portraying the Performing Artistes in Early India in the Context of Ancient Indian Scripters

Abstract

In ancient India theatrical performances were the main attractions for the people. Literary evidences prove that ancient Indian theatre is a comprehensive one and is a very popular for entertainment. Cultural arts like dancing, singing, puppet shows etc. were formulated and enacted from pre-Vedic period onwards. Historically, the origin of dance as a form of entertainment can be traced in the Indus valley period. The findings of archeological excavations from Mohenjo-Daro suggest that dance was very much popular in those days. ‘Some of the earliest representations of scenes of dancing occur in cave paintings found in Mesolithic rock shelters. Subsequently, finds of sculpture and representations on seals from Harappan civilization (c. 2700- 1800 BCE) have been taken to represent dancers.’^[i] The posture of grey slate figure of a male dancer from Harappa reminds of tāṇḍava and supports the affinity between the male deity of Harappan culture and later Śiva. It seems that Indus people were interested in theatrical art very much^.[ii]

Some scholars hold the view that theatrical performances developed from the instinct of primitive peoples to imitate the action of people and nature around them.^[iii]During their leisure they had cultivated various kinds of fine arts, music, dance etc.  Further, it developed as theatrical art and it provides suitable jobs, artistic engagements and also a source of livelihood for men and women. Scholars suggest that performance tradition emerged probably from ritual contexts. A.L. Basham says, ‘as in most other civilizations there is little doubt that the Indian drama developed from ritual miming song and dance.’^[iv]A.B. Keith also shares this opinion. He states, ‘The Vedic ritual contained within themselves the germs of drama, yet there are nothing but elements of representation.’^[v]Most probably dancing and singing were regarded as important features of ritual performances. Practice of various forms of performing arts in the socio-economic life of people has been traced in ancient Indian literature. ‘In Vedic period, music and dance can be divided mainly under two heads; ritual and secular/ social.’^[vi]