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This lesson tells you that the plays can be classified
into different types. You can also learn about the two great divisions
of world drama, various kinds of 20th century drama, literary drama
and the differences between adult theatre and children's theatre.
Let us now see the various kinds of Tamil drama.
Researchers of world drama have
classified drama into two broad divisions viz., comedies and tragedies.
In India, plays generally ended happily, and so belonged to the
category of comedy. It was only under foreign influence that tragedies
were produced in India. Tamil drama has been divided by scholars, into
two kinds.
1) Plays meant
to be viewed only by kings and the aristocracy.These were
called 'Vetthiyal'. (வேத்தியல்)
2) Plays meant for the common man; these were called 'Podhuviyal'.
Avvai Shanmugam, who dedicated
his entire life to theatre, classified stage plays into several
categories:
They are Mythological plays,
Devotional plays, historical plays, imaginative plays, social plays,
reformist plays, nationalist plays and humorous plays. He said,
"We could also add 'Propagandist' plays to this list". Another renowned
name in the history of Tamil drama, is that of Nawab Rajamanickam.
Plays that were written only
to be read and studied (not acted) were called 'closet drama'. Plays
could also be categorised according to the sentiments they were
based on. These are, melodrama, detective plays, the wedding masque,
psychological plays, satirical plays, farce and burlesque. There
are also One-Act plays and playlets, in addition to full-length
plays.
Although the advent of cinema
and television has caused a decline in the popularity of drama,
it has not disappeared altogether. This lesson should induce you
to think how theatre and drama can be revived.
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