A Comparative Analysis of Tamil and Assamese Dramatic Tradition

Abstract

The article is to trace the heritage of Tamil and Assamese drama earliest times to present. The sub-genre of different periods is also discussed herewith. Earliest record of Tamil drama is available during Sangam period. In Assamese it is mentioned in the Sankaradev period. Sankardeva the father of Assamese literature and society maker had a great contribution to Assamese drama. ‘Chihno Jatra’ was the first drama of Assamese literature. To speed up his ‘Ek Saran’ religion he wrote many dramas as an instrument of it and his followers also followed him. In the end of the nineteenth century Tamil and Assamese drama underwent a change after its contact with western literature. Hence the Tamil drama can be divided into four periods. (1) Tolkappiyam to 16^th century, (2) drama in the 17^th,18^th century, (3) 19^th century, and (4) 20^th century. Assamese drama can be classified as (1) Vaisavate period, (2) Ahom period, (3) modern period. Many authors wrote ancient, historical and modern dramas in both languages. All those dramas are taken as the very great wealth of Tamil and Assamese literature.