History of Indian Theatre--Loka Ranga : Panorama of Indian Folk Theatre/M.L. Varadpande. 1992, 330 p., 103 b & w plates, 26 colour plates, bibliography, $86. ISBN 81-7017-278-0.
Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Theatre of rituals. 3. Theatre of narration. 4. Theatre of entertainment. 5. Theatre of Krishna. 6. Theatre of Rama. 7. Theatre of the south. Bibliography. List of illustration. Acknowledgement. Index.
"This volume of the History of Indian theatre presents most enchanting and colourful panorama of folk and traditional theatre flourishing in India since time immemorial.
"Utilising various sources the author meticulously and systematically builds up the theatre history which spans over several centuries.
"It is for the first time an elaborate account of dramatic rituals associated with the Bhuta or the cult of spirits is given here. This will enable the students of theatre understand the relationship of ritual and dramatic performance in its correct perspective. Various ritualistic theatre forms such as Teyyam are described and discussed.
"The book also tells us how the technique of ballad singing was dramatised and finally evolved into full-fledged drama in the course of time. The history of narrative forms is traced from the Vedic times to the present.
"With the emergence of Bhakti cult the epics were dramatised. This gave rise to the Leela Theatre which dedicated itself to portraying the divine acts of incarnations such as Krishna and Rama. Various forms of Leela Theatre are described in the book." (jacket)
[M.L. Varadpande also wrote Traditions of Indian Theatre, Ancient Indian and the Indo-Greek Theatre and Theatre and Krishna Theatre in India.]