DRAM 1300 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Zaju, Genghis Khan, Onnagata

• School: University of Windsor
• Department: Dramatic Art
• Course: DRAM 1300
• Professor: Simon Du Toit

Document Summary

Those who created theatre in asia knew nothing of the theatres of greece and rome. Rely much more on dance than western theatre does. All great asian traditions have created one form or another of what has been described as total theatre - a synthesis or integration of elements - acting, mime, dancing, music, text. Sanskrit drama: remaining from the indian golden age, written in sanskrit (the language of the noble classes); to be performed in various court circles. Each troupe presenting sanskrit theatre had a leader (sudtradhara), who was the chief actor and managed all the others involved in the production. Men were main performers, but women were included too whole. Combined voice, body, emotions, costume and makeup in an integrated. Scenery wasn"t used, but elaborate costumes were; dance and music played an important part. Natyasastra: document that has provided us insight into early indian theatre.