CBSE to introduce theatre studies in Class XI

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced Theatre Studies as an elective subject in Class XI from the current academic session. The subject is being introduced as a pilot course on first-come-first-serve basis.

The subject will have a 70-mark theory paper with 30 marks for case study-based project and viva voce. The course will introduce students to theatre as an art-form (what it is, why it is relevant and concepts of space, time, audience and performance), different dramatic forms and styles, theatre architecture, history of Indian theatre, Indian folk and street theatre, Asian theatre (Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian), western theatre (Greek, Roman, Elizabethan, Italian) and even the links between Indian theatre and films.

As part of the theatre theory, students will study the works of Vijay Tendulkar, Mohan Rakesh, Dharmveer Bharti, Badal Sarkar, Shankar Shesh, Girish Karnad, Chandrashekhar Kambar, Rabindranath Tagore and Bhartendu Harishchandra. They will also "review" Indian theatre organizations such as National School of Drama and Sangeet Natak Academy.