Brecht in India: The Poetics and Politics of Transcultural Theatre

Brecht in India explores Bertolt Brecht's dramaturgy and theatrical practices in post-independence India, demonstrating how his work provided aesthetic and ideological paradigms to modern Hindi playwrights and helped them develop a national identity. It also traces how the reception of Brecht was mediated in India and how it helped post-independence Indian playwrights formulate a political theatre.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Brecht in India delves into the theatrical practices and dramaturgy of German playwright Bertolt Brecht in the post-independence era of India. The book explores the unique nature of post-independence Indian drama as a cultural palimpsest, a site that celebrates a vibrant dialogue between Western and Indian theatrical traditions. Rather than presenting a monolithic and isolated canon, the book emphasizes the richness and diversity of Indian theatrical heritage. By examining the dissemination of a selection of Brecht's plays in the Hindi belt between the 1960s and the 1990s, the study demonstrates how Brecht's work provided aesthetic and ideological paradigms to modern Hindi playwrights. It sheds light on how Brecht's ideas influenced their development and staging of a national identity. Furthermore, the book traces the reception of Brecht in India, exploring how it shaped the political theatre of post-independence playwrights. It also examines how the dissemination of Brechtian aesthetics in India addressed the concerns related to the stagnation of Brechtian theatre in Europe.

Tracking the ongoing dialogue between Brechtian aesthetics in India and Europe, Brecht in India offers a comprehensive exploration of the historical context and cultural resistance that shaped the reception of Brecht's work. The book serves as an invaluable resource for academics and students of theatre studies, theatre historiography, post-colonial history, and literature. It provides deep insights into the complex interplay between artistic expression, cultural identity, and political discourse, offering a rich tapestry of knowledge and understanding.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367619107