TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Performing Arts in Ancient India
3. Literature and Storytelling
4. Architecture and Festivals
5. Games and Sports
6. Challenges and Preservation Efforts
7. Conclusion
Ancient India's contribution to the entertainment industry transcends
time, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. This
extensive report delves deep into the multifaceted realms of ancient
Indian entertainment, spanning performing arts, literature, architecture,
festivals, games, and sports. Through meticulous research and analysis,
we uncover the rich tapestry of creativity, innovation, and societal
significance that defined entertainment in ancient India. By
understanding and appreciating these historical legacies, we gain
profound insights into the foundations of modern-day entertainment.

Performing Arts in Ancient India:

Ancient India was a cradle of classical performing arts, where dance,
drama, and music flourished as integral components of cultural
expression. The Natya Shastra, attributed to Sage Bharata, laid down
the theoretical framework for dramatic performances, encompassing
various aspects such as acting, dance movements, music, and
stagecraft. Classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathakali,
Odissi, and Kuchipudi evolved over centuries, each with its unique
style, repertoire, and spiritual significance.
Literature and Storytelling:
Ancient Indian literature, steeped in
mythology and philosophical insights,
served as a reservoir of stories and moral
teachings. The epics Ramayana and
Mahabharata, along with Puranic texts,
provided a rich tapestry of narratives that
inspired generations of artists, writers, and
performers. Folk tales and fables, passed
down through oral tradition, reflected the
cultural diversity and societal values of
ancient India, offering timeless wisdom
and entertainment to audiences.

Indian literature
Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel prize for literature. It is the first
Nobel prize won by Asia.
Indian literature is generally acknowledged, but
not wholly established, as the oldest in the world.
India has 22 officially recognized languages, and
a huge variety of literature has been produced in
these languages over the years. In Indian
literature, oral and written forms are both
important. Hindu literary traditions dominate a
large part of Indian culture. Apart from
the Vedas which are a sacred form of
knowledge, there are other works such as the
Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata,
treatises such as Vaastu Shastra in architecture
and town planning, and Arthashastra in political
science. Devotional Hindu drama, poetry and songs span the
subcontinent. Among the best known are the works of Kalidasa (writer
of the famed Sanskrit play Shakuntala) and Tulsidas (who wrote an
epic Hindi poem based on the Ramayana, called Raamcharitmaanas).
 Tamil literature has been in existence for more than 2500
years. Tolkaappiyam has been credited as its oldest work, whereas the
exact origins of Thirukkural is unknown. The golden age of Tamil
literature was during the Sangam period, roughly 1800 years ago. The
classic works of this period are Cilappatikaram, Manimekalai, and
Sivakasinthamani. Tamil literature is known for its secular traditions,
although its authors had strong religious beliefs. Thirukkural is
considered to be the greatest of Tamil works. Kannada literature is
probably the third oldest in Indian literature next to Sanskrit
literature and Tamil literature. The earliest reported work in Kannada
literature dates back to the fifth century. The first available literary in
Kannada is Kavirajamarga, written in the eighth century by
Amoghavarsha Nrpatunga. Hindi literature started as religious and
philosophical poetry in medieval periods in dialects
like Avadhi and Brij. The most famous figures from this period
are Kabir and Tulsidas. In modern times, the Khadi dialect became
more prominent and a variety of literature was produced in Sanskrit.

The most renowned Bengali writer is Nobel laureate Rabindranath

Tagore, who received the Nobel Prize for Literature. In the last century,
several Indian writers have distinguished themselves not only in
traditional Indian languages but also in English. India's only native-
born Nobel laureate in literature was the Bengali writer Rabindranath
Tagore, but VS Naipaul, a diaspora Indian novelist born in Trinidad,
also won the Nobel in 2001. Other major writers who are either Indian
or of Indian origin and derive much inspiration from Indian themes
are R. K. Narayan, Vikram Seth, Salman Rushdie, Arundhati
Roy, Raja Rao, Amitav Ghosh, Vikram Chandra, Mukul
Kesavan, Shashi Tharoor, Nayantara Sehgal, Anita Desai, Ashok
Banker, Shashi Deshpande, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Bharati Mukherjee.
Architecture and Festivals:
The architectural marvels of ancient Indian temples bear testimony to
the craftsmanship and artistic prowess of the era. Intricate sculptures
adorning temple walls depicted scenes from mythology, daily life, and
spiritual allegories, enriching the cultural landscape. Festivals such as
Diwali, Holi, and Durga Puja were not just religious observances but
also occasions for communal celebration, featuring music, dance,
drama, and elaborate rituals that captivated the masses.

Various examples of Indian architecture

The Taj Mahal in Agra is widely considered to be the best example

of Indo-Islamic architecture and is one of the most well-known
monuments in the world.
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Typical South Indian temple gopuram (temple gate) built

almost a millennium ago, but as tall as a modern mid-rise.

Victoria Memorial, a specimen of British Indian architecture,

which incorporated European gothic, Persian saracenic and
traditional Indian architecture.

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The massive Ellora Hindu and Buddhist temples were not
constructed, but in fact carved out of solid rock from the top to
the bottom.

The Great Buddhist Stupa at Sanchi is the oldest existing

structure in India, aside from the Indus Valley civilization ruins,
and a World Heritage Site.

The Harimandir Sahib, known popularly as the Golden Temple,

is a sacred shrine for Sikhs.
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Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers, location of the Bombay Stock

Exchange is an example of 1980s Indian architecture.

Sculpture in India
First sculptures in India date back to the Indus Valley civilization,
where stone and bronze carvings have been discovered. This is one of
the earliest instances of sculpture in the world. Later,
as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism developed further, India
produced some of the most intricate bronzes in the world, as well as
unrivalled temple carvings. Some huge shrines, such as the one
at Ellora were not actually constructed using blocks, but instead carved
out of solid rock, making them perhaps the largest and most intricate
sculptures in the world.
During the 2nd to 1st century BCE in far northern India, in what is now
southern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, sculptures became more
explicit, representing episodes of the Buddha's life and teachings.
Although India had a long sculptural tradition and a mastery of rich
iconography, the Buddha was never represented in human form before
this time, but only through some of his symbols. This may be
because Gandharan Buddhist sculpture in modern Afghanistan
displays Greek and Persian artistic influence. Artistically, the
Gandharan school of sculpture is said to have contributed wavy hair,
drapery covering both shoulders, shoes and sandals, acanthus leaf
decorations, etc.
The pink sandstone sculptures of Mathura evolved during the Gupta
period (4th to 6th century) to reach a very high fineness of execution
and delicacy in the modeling. Newer sculptures in Afghanistan, in
stucco, schist or clay, display very strong blending of Indian post-Gupta
mannerism and Classical influence, Hellenistic or possibly even Greco-
Roman. Meanwhile, elsewhere in India, less anatomically accurate
styles of human representation evolved, leading to the classical art that
the world is now familiar with, and contributing to Buddhist and Hindu
sculpture throughout Asia. If you would like more information on this
topic please let us recommend.
A selection of Indian sculptures of various ages and styles
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Indian painting
The earliest Indian paintings were the rock paintings of pre-
historic times, the petroglyphs as found in places like Rock Shelters of
Bhimbetka, and some of them are older than 5500 BC. Such works
continued and after several millennia, in the 7th century, carved pillars
of Ellora, Maharashtra state present an example of Indian paintings,
and the colors, mostly various shades of red and orange, were derived
from minerals. Thereafter, frescoes of Ajanta and Ellora caves
appeared. India's Buddhist literature is replete with examples of texts
which describe that palaces of kings and aristocratic class were
embellished with paintings, but they have not survived. But, it is
believed that some form of art painting was practiced in that time.
Indian Art was given a new lease of life by the British in early 19th
century when the new government required painters to document
Indian life and times. The English School paintings, as these new art
were called had seen the emergence of India's greatest artists of all
times Raja Ravi Verma. Other important artists of the Colonial period
include Jamini Roy, Amrita Sher-Gil, Ramkinkar
Baij and Rabindranath Tagore. After independence, Indian art became
more diverse and artists like M. F. Husain, F. N. Souza, Subodh
Gupta, Devajyoti Ray, Sudip Roy,[21] Paresh Maity and Bose
Krishnamachari earned international recognition.
Indian art, ancient and medieval
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 Games and Sports:
Ancient India had a vibrant gaming
culture, with traditional board games like
Pachisi, Chaupar, and Moksha Patam
providing leisure and intellectual
stimulation. Physical sports such as
wrestling, archery, and chariot racing
were not only forms of entertainment but
also embodied principles of discipline,
strategy, and physical prowess. These games and sports were often
integrated into religious festivals and ceremonies, reinforcing their
cultural significance.

Influence on Modern Entertainment:

The legacy of ancient Indian entertainment continues to resonate in
modern-day art forms, influencing music, dance, theatre, literature, and
cinema worldwide. Classical Indian dance forms have found global
audiences, while mythological narratives inspire contemporary
storytelling across various media. The spiritual and

Music of India
Indian music includes multiple varieties of folk, popular, pop,
and classical music. India's classical music tradition,
including Carnatic and Hindustani music, has a history spanning
millennia and, developed over several eras, remains fundamental to the
lives of Indians today as sources of religious inspiration, cultural
expression and pure entertainment. India is made up of several
dozen ethnic groups, speaking their own languages and dialects.
Alongside distinctly subcontinental forms there are major influences
from Persian, Arab and British music. Indian genres
like filmi and bhangra have become popular throughout the United
Kingdom, South and East Asia, and around the world.
Indian stars now sell records in many countries, while world music fans
listen to the roots music of India's diverse nations.
American soul, rock and hip hop music have also made a large impact,
primarily on Indian pop and filmi music. Other highly popular forms
are ghazal, qawwali, thumri, dhrupad, dadra, bhajan, kirtan, shabad,
and gurbani. Filmi music is often said to have begun in 1931, with the
release of Ardeshir M. Irani's Alam Ara and its popular soundtrack. In
the earliest years of the Indian cinema, filming was generally Indian
(classical and folk) in inspiration, with some Western elements. Over
the years, the Western elements have increased, but without completely
destroying the Indian flavour. Most of the Indian movies are musicals
and feature elaborate song and dance numbers. There is constant work
for pop music composers — or music directors, to use the Indian term.
Movie soundtracks are released as tapes and CDs, sometimes even
before the movie is released.

Indian classical dance and Indian folk dances:

Indian classical dance is performed in different styles. Its theory can be
traced back to the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni, a sage from Tamil
Nadu (400 BC). The Natya Shastra is the most important ancient
treatise on classical Indian dance. It is also called the fifth Veda in
reference to the foundation of Hindu religion and philosophy, from
which sprang the related South Indian musical tradition of Carnatic
music. Its various current forms
include Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Manipuri, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Moh
iniaattam, Kathak and Sattriya.

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form originating in Tamil Nadu.

It is thought to have been created by Bharata Muni. In ancient times
Bharatanatyam was performed by mandir (Hindu temple) Devadasis.
Many of the ancient sculptures in Hindu temples are based on
Bharatanatyam dance postures karanas.
Odissi is one of the oldest surviving forms of dance, with depictions of
Odissi dancing dating back as far as the 1st century BC. Like other
forms of Indian classical dance, the Odissi style traces its origins back
to antiquity. Dancers are found depicted in bas-relief in the hills of
Udaygiri (near Bhubaneswar) dating back to the 1st century BC.
The Natya Shastra speaks of the dance from this region and refers to it
as Odra-Magadhi.

Kathakali (katha for story, kali for performance or play) is a form of

dance-drama. It originated in the South Indian state of Kerala over 500
years ago. It is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and
ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-
enact stories from the Hindu epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Kuchipudi is a classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,

a state of South India. Kuchipudi is the name of a small village in the
Divi Taluq of Krishna district that borders the Bay of Bengal and with
resident Brahmins practising this traditional dance form, it acquired the
present name. Mohiniaattam is a traditional dance from the South
Indian state of Kerala. Mohini is an Apsaras in the Hindu mythology
and aattam in Malayalam means dance. So Mohiniaattam essentially
means "dance of the enchantress". The theme of Mohiniaattam is love
and devotion to god. The costume worn by the dancers are typically
white coloured kasavu saree with golden borders.

The Kathak dance form arose from the Vaishnava devotees dancing to
the episodes from Krishna's life. Originally a Northern Indian temple
dance, it was transformed to a court dance in the Mughal era. The new
Muslim influence brought with it certain changes to the dance form:
what had been a largely devotional practice now became more a courtly
entertainment.
The Sattriya dance is believed to be a creation of the
great Vaishnavite (bhakti) guru Srimanta Sankardeva considered the
lead architect of Assamese literature and culture. He created this
magnificent Sattriya dance to accompany the Ankiya Naat (a form of
Assamese one-act play, another creation of Sankardeva) which was
usually performed in Satras (Assamese monasteries). Since the dance
developed and grew within the Satras, it is named after these religious
institutions.
Folk dances are performed for every possible occasion, to celebrate
the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, a wedding and festivals. The
dances are very focused on gestures, postures, and expressions. The
dances burst with verve and vitality. Men and women perform some
dances exclusively, while in some performances men and women dance
together. On most occasions artists sing the main lyrics and are
accompanied by instruments. Each form of dance has a specific
costume. Most costumes are flamboyant with extensive jewels.

Bhangra is a form of music and dance that originated in

the Punjab region of India. Bhangra dance began as a folk dance
conducted by Punjabi farmers to celebrate the coming of Vaisakhi,
a sikh festival. The specific moves reflect the manner in which villagers
farmed their land. This musical art further became synthesized after the
partition of India, when refugees from different parts of the Punjab
shared their folk dances with individuals who resided in the regions
they settled in. This hybrid dance became Bhangra. The dance started
from just one move and evolved later on. It has been popularized by
Punjabi artists from the Sikh communities, with which it is now
commonly associated.

Thirayattam is a ritual performing dance of south malabar region

(kozhikode and malappuram Dt:) in Kerala state.
In Malayalam language, the word "Thirayattam" refers to a 'colourful
dance'. This vibrant Ethnic art form blend of dance, instrumental music,
drama, facial and body makeup, martial art and ritualistic
Function. Thirayattam enacted in courtyards of sacred groves and
village shrines, during Thirayattam festival.

Drama
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Kathakali one of the classical theatre forms from Kerala,

India

Rasa lila theatrical performance in Manipuri dance style

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Yakshagana An Ancient dance drama of Tulunadu.

Koodiyattam performer Kapila Venu

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A still from play 'Nati Binodoni', Bengali Jatra

Theatre. Jatra is a popular folk-theatre form
of Bengali and Odia Theatre.

Challenges and Preservation Efforts:

Despite its enduring legacy, ancient Indian entertainment faces
challenges from modernization, urbanization, and cultural
homogenization. Preservation efforts, including documentation,
conservation projects, and cultural revitalization initiatives, are
essential for safeguarding these traditions for future generations. By
recognizing the importance of ancient Indian entertainment, we can
preserve its cultural heritage and ensure its continued relevance in the
modern world.

Cinema of India

India is a major regional center for cinema. The Indian film industry is
the second largest in the world (1200 movies released in the year 2002).
Each of the larger jrods supports its own film
industry: Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia.
The Hindi/Urdu film industry, based in Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is
called Bollywood (a melding of Hollywood and Bombay). Similar
neologisms have been coined for the Kannada (Karnataka State) film
industry (Sandalwood) based on Karnataka being known for
Sandalwood, Tamil film industry (Kollywood, from the Kodambakkam
district of Chennai) and the Telugu film industry (Tollywood).
Tollygunge is a metonym for the Bengali film industry, long centered
in the Tollygunge district of Kolkata. The Bengali language industry is
notable as including the director Satyajit Ray, an international
filmmaker and a winner of many awards, among them the Bharat Ratna
(India's highest civilian award), the Légion d'honneur (France), and the
Lifetime achievement Academy Award. Odia film industry is known
as Ollywood and it has a history of film making since 1936. The
Bollywood industry is usually the largest in terms of films produced
and box office receipts, just as Urdu/Hindi speakers outnumber
speakers of other Indian languages within India.

Radio in India
Radio broadcasting was, until recently a government monopoly under
the Directorate General of All India Radio—established in 1936 and
since 1957 also known as Akashvani—a government-owned,
semicommercial operation of the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting. From only six stations at the time of independence, All
India Radio's network had expanded by the mid-1990s to 146 AM
stations plus a National Channel, the Integrated North-East Service
(aimed at tribal groups in northeast India), and the External Service.
There are five regional headquarters for All India Radio: the North
Zone in New Delhi; the North-East Zone in Guwahati, Assam; the East
Zone in Calcutta; the West Zone in Bombay; and the South Zone in
Madras. All India Radio covers 99.37% of India's populace.
The government-owned network provides both national and local
programs in Hindi, English, and sixteen regional languages.
Commercial services, which were inaugurated in 1957, are provided
by Vividh Bharati Service, headquartered in Mumbai.[22] Vividh
Bharati, which accepts advertisements, broadcasts from thirty-one AM
and FM stations in the mid-1990s.
India has an extensive network of medium wave and shortwave
stations. In 1994 there were eighty-five FM stations and seventy-three
shortwave stations that covered the entire country. The broadcasting
equipment is mostly Indian made and reaches special audiences, such
as farmers needing agroclimatic, plant protection, and other
agriculture-related information. The number of radio receivers
increased almost fivefold between 1970 and 1994, from around 14
million to nearly 65 million. Most radios are also produced within
India.
The foreign broadcast service is a function of the External Services
Division of All India Radio. In 1994 seventy hours of news, features,
and entertainment programs were broadcast daily in twenty-five
languages using thirty-two shortwave transmitters. The principal target
audiences are listeners in neighbouring countries and the large overseas
Indian community.
Satellite Radio was introduced to the Indian market in 2000
by WorldSpace, a Washington-DC based company. Currently
WorldSpace beams 30 channels comprising music, news, and regional
channels, a subscriber in India pays ₹ 1,200 per annum. In addition,
some premium channels are available at an extra cost. This service
requires special receivers which are often subsidized by world space.
Recently The Department of Space (DoS) indicated it is exploring the
possibility of setting up a multi-media satellite platform that would
include satellite radio, video and data channels.
Television in India
Television service is available throughout the country. Doordarshan is
a government-owned broadcaster established in 1959 and a part of All
India Radio until 1976. It operates of one national network and seven
regional networks. In 1992 there were sixty-three high-power
television transmitters, 369 medium-power transmitters, seventy-six
low-power transmitters, and twenty-three transposers. Regular satellite
transmissions began in 1982 (the same year colour transmission
began). By 1994 some 6 million people were receiving television
broadcasts via satellite, and the number was expected to increase
rapidly throughout the rest of the decade. Cable television was even
more prolific, with an estimated 12 to 15 million subscribers in 1994.
Besides Doordarshan, Zee TV—an independent station broadcasting
from Mumbai since 1992—uses satellite transmissions. In fact, because
Doordarshan is the only network that is permitted to broadcast
television signals domestically, Zee TV and other entrepreneurs
broadcast their Indian-made videotapes via foreign transmitters. Other
networks joining the fray are Cable News Network (1990); Asia
Television Network (1991); Hong Kong-based Star TV (1991); Jain
TV, near Bombay (1994); EL TV, a spin-off of Zee TV in Bombay
(1994); HTV, an affiliate of the Hindustan Times in New Delhi (1994);
and Sun TV, a Tamil language service in Chennai (1994). In a
communications breakthrough in July 1995, Doordarshan agreed, for a
US$1.5 million annual fee and 50 percent of advertising revenue when
it exceeds US$1.5 million, to allow CNN to broadcast twenty-four
hours a day via an Indian satellite. regional, and local service. The
number of television sets increased from around 500,000 in 1976 to 9
million in early 1987 and to around 47 million in 1994; increases are
expected to continue at around 6 million sets per year. More than 75
percent of television sets were black and white models in 1992, but the
proportion of colour sets is increasing annually. Most television sets
are produced in India.
Conclusion:
Ancient India's contribution to the entertainment industry is a testament
to the ingenuity, creativity, and cultural richness of the civilization.
From the classical performing arts to literature, architecture, festivals,
games, and sports, ancient Indian entertainment has left an indelible
mark on global culture. By studying and preserving these traditions, we
honor the legacy of our ancestors and enrich the tapestry of human
creativity for generations to come.
References:
A comprehensive list of scholarly sources, historical texts, and cultural
resources consulted in the preparation of this report.