Asian/African Art Movements

Sanskrit Drama

300

Sanskrit dramas were Indian plays that were often very long and poetic. The most popular form of Sanskrit drama is Mahabharata, the category of drama that takes mythological characters and has them perform spectacular feats. An example of a Sanskrit Mahabharata play is called Shakuntala. The language in these plays is made by mixing Sanskrit with a local form of Prakit. Sanskrit dramas were the most advanced form of theatre in the world for its time period.

Pear Garden

740

The Pear Garden was a Chinese opera troupe founded by Emperor Li Longji in the 740's. This troupe was made up of mostly females that were trained under people that Longji hired. Their whole purpose was to entertain important guests that were there to see Emperor Li Longji. They were influential because they were the foundation for Chinese opera. To this day, modern Chinese opera singers are still called 'children of the pear garden.'

Noh Theatre

1100

Noh Theatre is a form of theatre founded in Japan in the early 12th century. The actors used costume and body language to give the essence of the show instead of acting it out. Most Noh play's theme is implied within a metaphor or simile, instead of being explicitly said like some plays. It began in the 12th century, but started to actually refine and become a major movement in the Tokugawa period. (brittanica.com). Noh theatre is the oldest form of theatre still regularly performed.

Chikamatsu Monzaemon

1653

Chikamatsu Monzaemon has been credited for around 100 plays. He wrote specifically in the Kabuki and Bunraku categories. Many of his plays were performed with puppets. His works were the first of the joruri category to include great puppetry and actual literary mastery. His plays incorporated double suicides between lovers, similar to Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

Sessue Hayakawa

1886

Sessue Hayakawa was an influential Asian actor who is most known for starring in "The Cheat" and "The Bridge on the River Kwai." His movies were influential because they play upon Americans' fear of Japanese nationalism. Kayakawa tried to make movies to satisfy both American and Japanese viewers. His performances hinted at the development of the film and theatre industry. It provided a stronger idea that casting is often based upon race, ethnicity, age, and the ability to take any role given.

Efua Sutherland

1924

Efua Sutherland was a very successful female playwright based in Ghana. Her plays were based on the ideas of African independence. Sutherland directed many plays and also created the Ghana Drama Studio. Her play "The Marriage of Anansewa" is still relevant today. She invented the theatre form called ananseesem. She was considered by many to be the first influential and successful African female playwright.

Yoruba Opera

1940

Yoruba Opera was a musical form of theatre and performance in Nigeria. It normally opened with a large musical number, and included lots of humorous and satirical dialogue. Yoruba Opera focused mainly on entertainment, but there was still an apparent moral to the musicals. It is very similar to the concept of Concert Parties done in Ghana, (Brockett 319). Some places used this art form to try and persuade Nigerians to become Christians if they weren't already.

Butoh and Sankai Juku

1960

Butoh is a form of theatre and performance that reached popularity in Japan in the 1960's. Butoh challenged societal norms with explicit sexual material and disturbing content. In 1975, another form of Butoh formed called Sankai Juku. The male actors would cover their bald heads with rice powder and do odd movements in robes while wearing a pained expression. The reason for Butoh was to allow artists to express themselves after the bombing of Hiroshima.

Chikwakwa Theatre

1971

The Chikwakwa theatre was a theatre built in Zimbabwe in 1971. The theatre was home to touring shows as well as original shows debuting in the theatre for the first time. The new theatre was important because it showed the newfound independence of Zimbabwe and showcased African culture, (brittanica.com). The funding and support of this theatre furthered the development of African theatre. It was also used by the government in order to promote lessons about agriculture and education.

"The Chattering and the Song"

1976

"The Chattering and the Song" is an important play in African history because it points out the corrupt political leadership in Africa. It was written in 1976 by Femi Osofisan. This play changed the standard and brought many more political plays in Africa. "The Chattering and the Song" exposed the "dictatorship, despotism, tyranny, and corruption," (ajol.info). Osofisan's play changed theatre in Africa.