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Theatre Forms
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State
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Theme
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Nautanki
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Uttar Pradesh
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Often draws on romantic Persian literature for its themes.
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Tamasha
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Maharashtra
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Evolved from the folk forms such as gondhal, jagran and kirtan.
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Bhavai
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Gujarat
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Subtle social criticism laced with humour.
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Jatra
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West Bengal/Orissa and eastern Bihar
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Originated in Bengal as a result of the Bhakti movement. Initially known as Krishna jatra due to Chaitanya’s (spiritual founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism) influence.
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Koodiyattam
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Kerala
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Oldest traditional theatre forms of India, it follows the performative principles of the ancient tradition of Sanskrit theatre. In 2001, Koodiyattam was officially recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
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Mudiyettu
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Kerala
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Traditional ritual theatre and folk dance drama from Kerala that enacts the mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika. The ritual is a part of the bhagavathi or bhadrakali cult.
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Bhaona
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Assam
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A creation of Srimanta Sankardeva (an Assamese saint-scholar), these plays were written in Brajavali, a unique Assamese-Maithili mixed language, and are primarily centered on Hindu deity, Krishna.
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Maach
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Madhya Pradesh
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It is a sung folk theatre that has a semi sacred character, blending religious and secular themes.
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Bhand Pather
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Kashmir
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Satire, wit and parody are commonly used in this folk drama that incorporates local mythological legends and contemporary social commentary.
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