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Folk Drama and Entertainments
Folk Drama
Folk-drama has its roots in the distant past and has been handed down
from generation to generation. During Muslim rule when dramatic activities
virtually came to a stand-still, the villages were bursting with folk-drama,
dancing, mimicry, jugglery, Nautanki and various other forms of fun and
frivolity known as Swang, Naqal, Tamasha etc. The artistes who performed
them went from village to village beating their drums or step-sticks and
collecting audiences. All credit goes to these performers for keeping
alive the dramatic tradition of Punjab.
The folk-drama of the Punjab is of two main types like
religious and secular. The former is generally musical in form
in which events of religious importance like the Ram Lila or the Krishna
Lila are presented. The latter comprises mostly Swang, Naqal and Nautanki.
Its performances are meant only for entertainment. |
