NAVYA C
Music in Indian Stage Dramas
Stage Drama is one of those inherent art forms which
originated in India and has its unique fabric. Though
dramatics is present even in the west, the aspect of
art direction, music, projection of expressions is quite
exquisite and mystical in Indian stage dramas. Not just
the rich colored costumes and jewelry, the music and
instruments used for stage dramas clearly makes it
distinctly beautiful. It wouldn’t be surprising to quote
that the influence of Indian Classical Music
is heavily present in the stage dramas
and used quite in precision to express
emotions, elevate a scene and also
bring about aesthetic beauty.
Interestingly, the stage dramas in
India had traditionally available
musical instrument usage such
as Veena, Mridangam were used
because of most of the dramas
were based on mythological
themes, based on epic stories
like Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Though many of the branching
out fables were taken which had
folk counterparts, the music used in
stage dramas in Indian scenario was
essentially classical based. Ragas like
Bhimpalasi (Abheri in Carnatic Music),
Bilaaval (Shankarabharanam in
Carnatic Music) were widely used in
poems recited by the lead actors
of such mythological themes.
Most of the protagonists
were either Gods namely
Lord Rama, Lord Krishna
and so on. But when
bhakti movement,
foreign invasions, and
advent of different
cultural fabrics, even
the music in stage
dramas of India
underwent a change.
The attempt to bring
folk flavors to stage
drama was quite
evident as well,
with the intention
of bringing fine
arts to larger
audiences who
can appreciate
simpler
forms of it.
Locally available
instruments such as
ektara,jaltarang, single stringed
violin were also used based on the
themes used in stage dramas now. The themes were not
entirely mythological but started becoming more social,
contemporary which even spoke about current issues
of that era. Naturally for such scenarios, completely
traditional music would not work out. Hence, the makers
of such stage dramas introduced new musical instruments,
treated Classical Ragas with a simpler aspects
to make it easier for the audience to
appreciate. Even the lyrics used
for these stage songs struck a
chord with the common folk
rather than highly polished
vocabulary. Folk ragas
like Harikambhoji were
used in simpler and foot
tapping vibe to give a
chant worthy experience
for the audience. In
fact, music shouldn’t
become distant to
the audience.
With the advent of
British rule in India,
western influences of
music and contemporary
themes were also showcased
on Indian stage dramas.
Usage of symphony
for Thyagaraja
Kritis, meeting
of musical
worlds, and
Sanskrit
slokas having
western
harmonies
has
become
the
trend.
The
Indian
stage
drama
music is
now more
global with
increased
number
of woven
layers, which
keeps the root
intact. After
all the unique
feature of any
genre of music is
the inner core.
The
Score Magazine
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