Pre and Post-Independence Indian English Drama

Q. Write short notes.

 1. Pre-Independence Indian English Drama

Indian English Drama refers to plays written originally in English by Indian writers. Before 1947, this branch of literature was still in its early stage because drama requires theatre, stage, trained actors, and an audience—all of which were limited under British rule. Still, several important developments took place.

Historical Background:

The British introduced Western theatre in India in the 18th and 19th centuries. English education system encouraged Indians to read Shakespeare and other dramatists. Under that influence, Indian writers began experimenting with English drama.

Features of Pre-Independence Drama:

Basically, this play was meant for reading and not to be performed on the stage (closet drama). It had strong influence of Shakespearean style. Its themes were of social reform, nationalism, history, myth, and colonialism. The language was very ornamental and unreal.

Major Playwrights:

(i) Krishna Mohan Banerjee: He is one of the earliest Indian English dramatists.

(ii) Sri Aurobindo: He is the most important figure in the field of Indian English poetry and drama. His plays represent the golden phase of pre-independence Indian English drama.

(iii) Rabindranath Tagore: He wrote many plays in Bengali. Some were translated by him into English. ‘The Post Office’, ‘Chitra’ are some of his important plays. His plays deal with symbolism, humanism, mysticism, and freedom.

Michael Madhusudan Dutta, Harindranath Chattopadhyaya are some other significant Indian English dramatists of this period.

Themes in Pre-Independence Drama:

1. Nationalism – freedom struggle, patriotism
2. Mythology and history – retelling epics in modern way
3. Social reform – caste, child marriage, education, women’s rights
4. Impact of Westernization – conflict between tradition and modernity

2. Post-Independence Indian English Drama

After India became independent in 1947, Indian English drama entered a new, dynamic, and mature phase. Real theatre groups grew, playwrights experimented with modern themes, and English became an important medium of performance. Post-independence drama is richer, more realistic, and more stage-oriented than pre-independence drama.

Features of Post-Independence Drama

1. Realism and social criticism: Plays deal with middle-class life, social injustice, corruption, gender issues.
2. Exploration of identity: Questions of tradition vs. modernity, East vs. West.
3. Use of myths and history: Ancient stories reinterpreted for modern society
4. Rise of regional theatre in English translation: Plays from Marathi, Kannada, Hindi, etc., became famous worldwide.
5. Stage-oriented writing: Drama becomes truly performable, not just literary.

Major Playwrights

(i) Girish Karnad: The most influential dramatist of modern India. He wrote mainly in Kannada, but his plays are translated into and performed in English. ‘Tughalaq’, ‘Hayavadana’, ‘Nagmandala’ are his important plays.

(ii) Vijay Tendulkar: He is Marathi playwright whose works became landmarks in Indian theatre. His plays too are translated into English.  ‘Silence! The Court is in Session’, ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’ are his important plays.

Badal Sirkar, Mahesh Dattani, Manjula Padmanabhan are some other important playwrights in India.

Themes of Post-Independence Drama:

1. Political disillusionment: failure of idealism, corruption (e.g. ‘Tughlaq’ by Girish Karnad)
2. Gender issues and feminism: discrimination, patriarchy, female identity (e.g. ‘Tara’ by Mahesh Dattani).
3. Communal tension and social conflicts: Hindu–Muslim relations (e.g. ‘Final Solutions’ by Mahesh Dattani).
4. Urban alienation: loneliness of modern life (‘Evam Indrajit’ by Badal Sirkar).
5. Myth and modernity: retelling old myths to comment on present society (‘Hayavadana’ by Girish Karnad)