History of India and Hindu Literature

History of India

• The Aryans, a Caucasian group, invaded the Indus Valley around 2000 B.C.
• The Aryans drove the Dravidians, the aboriginal people of India, south.
• The Aryans established small kingdoms in North India.
• The Aryans introduced Vedic literature, Hinduism, the caste system and the Sanskrit language.
• The Aryans initially practiced nature worship.
• Hinduism is the dominant religion of India today, practiced by 85% of the population.
• Hinduism is the official language, while English is used in legal transactions, government, businesses, and education.

Hindu Literature

• Hindu literature focuses on spirituality and the Hindu mind.
• Key works include the Vedas, the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Natyashastra, and Shakuntala.
• The Vedas are sacred ancient Sanskrit hymns with commentary believed to have been revealed by Brahma.
• The Vedas are comprised of Mantras, Brahmanas, & Upanishads.
• The Rig Veda, with 1,000 hymns, focuses on the individual's journey to union with the World Soul.
• The Upnishads encompass the roots of spiritual and intellectual life in India.

Hindu Philosophy

• Brahman is the ultimate reality, surpassing comprehension.
• The individual soul is identical to the universal soul.
• The trinity of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer) maintain the rhythm of the universe.
• The soul undergoes continuous development through death and rebirth.
• The soul is reborn with a higher or lower status based on its actions.
• The goal of life is to achieve Nirvana, perfect happiness and absorption into Brahma.
• Ethical living is a means to achieve divine revelation or realize one's true nature.
• Intuition transcends human reason and enables a deeper understanding of reality.

Indian Drama

• Indian drama originated from the Vedas.
• Drama is believed to have been invented by Brahma.
• Shiva is credited with introducing dance.
• Vishnu invented four types of drama.
• The five Vedas include a sacred textbook of dramatic theory, which is preserved in the Natshayastra.

Types of Indian Drama

• Nataka: highest form of drama, drawing from the epics Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas.
• Prakarans: plays about the domestic lives of mortals, exploring their virtues and flaws.
• Prahsanas: comic farces focused on lower castes, mocking the upper classes.
• Yatra: religious entertainment, featuring dramatizations of Krishna's amorous escapades.

Sanskrit Drama

• Bahsa, Sudraka, and Kalidasa are the three primary Sanskrit dramatists.
• Shakuntala by Kalidasa is a prominent example of mythological Sanskrit drama.
• It is renowned for its poetic language, humor, and playful nature.
• Bhavabuti and Harsha are the other two significant Sanskrit dramatists.

Rasa (Sentiment) in Indian Drama

• Rasa, or sentiment, is a central aesthetic element in Indian drama.
• It evokes specific emotions in the audience through the play's performance.
• Rasa represents a universal, impersonalized form of joy, appreciated by all trained audiences.

Indian Theater

• Performances typically took place on simple platforms in royal palaces.
• Stage design was not meant to create the illusion of reality.
• There were limited sets, relying on props like thrones and chariots.
• Actors and actors' movements were stylized and conventional.
• Female roles were played by women, while boys or young men performed demanding parts.

Modern Indian Drama

• Modern Indian drama struggles to continue the traditions of Sanskrit drama.
• British colonization had notable influence on Indian drama, particularly through the establishment of theaters in Calcutta.
• New plays were written in the style of English theater.
• The Indian People's Theatre Association is working to create a distinct Indian theatrical form based on indigenous folklore.

Storytelling in Modern Indian Drama

• Contemporary images are incorporated into traditional oral storytelling practices.
• The past is brought into the present through storytelling.
• Fantasy and realism are combined to create a unique theatrical experience.
• Storytelling is a dynamic and ever-changing art form.
• It serves to highlight interdependence and the consequences of neglecting obligations.
• The story continually adapts to contemporary realities.

This quiz covers the invasion of the Aryans in the Indus Valley and their contributions to Indian culture, including the establishment of Hinduism and Vedic literature. Explore key texts such as the Vedas, Mahabharata, and Ramayana, which are integral to Hindu spirituality and history.