This course offers a comparative perspective on important trends in modern india. Through highly participatory pedagogic methods, the students are encouraged to share their special interest in examining specific themes, techniques of theatre representation, acting and writing. Definitions : the origin and function of drama. The connection between drama, leterature, theatre, cinema and performing arts. Historical overview of various trends in the West : Naturalism in the plays of Chekhov, lbsen strindberg. Antinaturalistic movements such as expressionalism of Luigi Pirandello, epic theatre of Bertolt Brecht, surrealism in the plays of Samuel Beckett, lonesco. The rise of ritualistic, political theatre of Brook, Schechner, Akalitis. Developments in post independence Indian drama : Classical ritualistic theatre of Ramlila, Mahabharata etc., Intermediatary or political Folk drama, such as Jatra, Nautanki, Tamasha, Street Plays. Modern naturalistic drama of Badal Sircar, Mohan Rakesh, Vijay Tendulkar.