Indian Women’s Theatre: A Tale of Representation

Theatre is an ancient aesthetic practice that existed in the Indian subcontinent from the dawn of civilization. Since its inception, theatre remained largely the bastion of male dominance and women had the least accessibility to the sphere of theatre. The patriarchal authority over theatre has created an exclusive space for the male practitioners, and obstructed the presence of women in playwriting, acting and directing. This book attempts to investigate the scarcity of women writing and women's participation in theatre. It traces the challenges faced by women to enter the male-dominated territory of theatre.Feminist theatre emerged as a harbinger of change in 1970’s in India which has subverted the male-dominance and created a space for women in theatre. Feminist theatre has opened up new vistas for women to enter the theatrical space as creators, writers and artists and intends to redo the wrongs done to women. This book summarizes the endeavor of feminist theatre and associated women playwrights who wrote revolutionary plays with a different perspective on women’s issues.