Pooja Saxena
Independent Researcher
Delhi, India
Abstract
This study provides an in-depth exploration of how Gandhian ethics—principally the tenets of nonviolence (ahimsa), truth (satya), and self-reliance (swadeshi)—were both conceptualized and enacted within regional theatre practices across India during the twentieth century. Drawing upon extensive archival research that includes scripts, production notes, and critical reviews from five distinct regions—Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat—this work traces the historical evolution of Gandhian themes on stage. Complementing this historical analysis, a contemporaneous survey of 200 theatre practitioners and regular audience members was conducted to assess current perceptions of the social and ethical impact of these performances. The study unfolds in two major parts. The first part undertakes a thematic content analysis of archived textual and visual materials, identifying recurring narrative motifs—such as characters embodying satyagraha in moral dilemmas, communal disputes resolved through nonviolent dialogue, and symbolic staging devices like khadi cloth and earthen lamps that visually reinforce Gandhi’s ascetic aesthetics. This section also delineates regional variations, showing, for instance, how Marathi sangeet natak frequently foregrounded rural cooperative movements, whereas Bengali jatra dramatized Gandhian truth-seeking through journalistic narratives. The second part presents the findings of a structured survey: 120 practitioners (actors, directors, playwrights) and 80 audience members reported high levels of recognition that Gandhian ethics were intentionally woven into scripts, staging, and audience engagement techniques. Notably, 72% of audience respondents affirmed that such performances heightened their awareness of nonviolent conflict resolution, while 65% rated theatrical enactment as more impactful than conventional lectures or films.
Keywords
Gandhian Ethics, Regional Theater, Ahimsa, Satya, Swadeshi, Social Reform
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