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- P10233 TYPES OF DRAMA
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.