Kutiyattam is the only surviving specimen of the ancient Sanskrit theatre, thought to have originated around the beginning of the Common Era, and is officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. In addition, many forms of Indian folk theatre abound. They are listed below.
Theatre State/Region Originated Features Exponents Akhyana Gujarat Enactment of religious episodes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata by Mana-bhatas Premanand Bhatt, Narsinh Mehta, Acharya Hemachandra Ankia Naat Assam Written in an artificial old medieval period poetic Assamese and Maithili mixed language called Brajavali and are primarily centered on Krishna, which usually combine live instruments and singers, dance and elaborate costumes in production Bayalata Karnataka Bhand pather Kashmir it consists of unique combinations of dance, drama and acting Bhaona Assam Bhavai Gujarat Burrakatha Andhra Pradesh Chhau Jharkhand, West Bengal & Orissa Dashavatar Maharashtra and Goa Harikatha Southern India Hela Khayal DangalRajasthan Jatra West Bengal Kalaripayattu Kerala Kathakali Kerala Marathi Keertan Maharashtra Kathakatha West Bengal Kudiyattam Kerala Maach Madhya Pradesh Naqal Punjab Manipuri Sankirtana Manipur Nautanki Uttar Pradesh Odissi Orissa Ojapali Assam Padayani Kerala Pala Orissa Pandavani Madhya Pradesh Powada Maharashtra Raas Leela (Raas Mahotsav) Assam Ramlila Northern India Raslila North East India Rabana ChhayaOrissaShadow puppetry Swang Rajasthan Swang Uttar Pradesh Tamasha Maharashtra Tang-ta Manipur Terukkuttu Tamil Nadu Theyyam Kerala TholpavakoothuKerala Tiatr Goa Wari-leeba Manipur Yakshagana Karnataka
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