Genesis of Theatre in India and Early Gender Representation

ABSTRACT

Dramatic women play gender-normative roles. They were divided into "good" wives, mothers, and "evil" mistresses and sorceresses. Bhass woman characters meet societys expectations. Marriage was crucial. Vikramorvasiya, Malavikagnimitra, and Abhijnanasakuntalam, four-century dramas by Kalidasa, feature powerful women. Kalidasa saw men and women as equals with honour and respect. Shakuntala was quite unique. Visakhduttas historical play Mudra-Rakshasa features no female characters. Bhavabhuti depicted womens deterioration in the seventh century. Women were mostly confined in love and family dramas. At the time, women were barred from the theatre, therefore young boys played feminine parts.

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