Theatre of Nepal and the People Who Make It

Examines Nepali theatre history, artists' personal lives, and political and social conditions that shape theatrical expression in Nepal.

Carol C. Davis (Author)

9781108497619, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 May 2019

200 pages
23.6 x 16 x 1.5 cm, 0.4 kg

Theatre of Nepal and the People Who Make It is the first comprehensive look at Nepali theatre for readers outside of Nepal. Charting Nepali theatre from ancient times to the present and from the metropolis of Kathmandu to far-flung regions, this book highlights the history of formal theatre and connects it to shifting political and social conditions in the country. Sourcing extensive fieldwork, it takes us backstage to meet individual theatre makers and learn their unique attributes and stories. From these intimate glimpses and the intertwining of political history with theatrical expression, a portrait emerges that conveys the character of Nepalis who, in spite of adversities, continue to dramatize their hopes, fears, principles, and priorities through theatrical means.

List of figures
Acknowledgements
Prologue
1. From darkness to light: antiquity through the Malla Golden Age
2. Ruthless rulers: the rise of the Shah and the Rana takeover
3. The drama of nationalism: Sama engaged
4. Modernism's advance: post-Sama dramatists
5. The pro-democracy movement: Ashesh Malla takes to the streets
6. Cultivating theatre aesthetics: Sunil Pokharel's vision
7. Diaspora: urban theatre outside the capital
8. Legacy: contemporary theatre in the Kathmandu Valley
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Anthropology [JHM], Sociology & anthropology [JH], Cultural studies [JFC], Theatre studies [AN]