Vikram Samvat The Vikram era started 57 years before the Christian era, i.e. around 57 BCE, and is in force in almost all of India except the region of Bengal. 57 BCE is the zero year. It is said to … Continue reading →

Orthodox School This school believed that Vedas were the supreme revealed scriptures that hold the secrets to salvation.  They did not question the authenticity of the Vedas.  They had six subschools that were called the Shada Darshana: Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, … Continue reading →

Silambam State: Tamil Nadu Features Majorly weapon used “Silambam staff” as a weapon. Silambam art also used animal movements of the snake, tiger, eagle forms. Footwork patterns also play a key role here. Another part of Silambam is Kuttu varisai, … Continue reading →

Origin: Modern circus as described by Philip Astley (considered to be the father of Modern circus) started appearing in India in the 1880s. Evolution of Modern India Circus in India In 1879, the Royal Italian Circus by Giuseppe Chiarini toured … Continue reading →

Pavakoothu State: Kerala Features It came into existence during the 18th century due to the influence of Kathakali. The face of the puppet is decorated with paints, small and thin pieces of gilded tin, the feathers of the peacock, etc. … Continue reading →

Putul Nach State: West Bengal Features They are carved from wood and follow the various artistic styles of a particular region. They are costumed like the actors of Jatra, a traditional theatre form prevalent in the State. Yampuri State: Bihar … Continue reading →

Togalu Gombeyatta State: Karnataka Features These puppets are mostly small in size. The puppets however differ in size according to their social status Tholu Bommalata State: Andhra Pradesh Features The puppets are large in size and have jointed waist, shoulders, … Continue reading →

Kathputli State: Rajasthan. Features: These puppets are carved from single piece of wood, and then covered with colourful long flowing skirt from waist and headgears. Kundhei State: Odisha Feature: Made of light wood, the Odisha puppets have no legs but … Continue reading →

String Puppets Features The puppets are generally eight to nine inch miniature figures chiselled out of wood.  Oil paint is used to paint the wood initially and to add other facial features such as eyes, lips, nose, etc.  Small wooden … Continue reading →

In the nineteenth century, many theatres sprang up in Calcutta, such as Belgachia Natyashala and Shobhabazar Natyashala. Indians evolved their own theatrical style during the British era, integrating elements of both Western and Indian styles. In contrast to the ancient … Continue reading →