Introduction to the Vyāyoga type of Drama

The Western dramatic tradition does not classify drama as Indian dramatic tradition does. However, it has three genres of drama, i.e. tragedy, comedy and satyr dramas (these three types have come from the classical Greek). All these three types of dramas are based on mythological, political, historical or social plots. However, most of the dramas belonging to the three genres are based on mythology. For instance, the ancient Greek dramas such as Aeschylus’s “Orestia trilogy”, Sophocles” “Electra”, Euripides’s and “Medea” are based on mythology.

However, Indian dramas are classified into ten kinds according to the plot (vastu), hero (netā) and the sentiment (rasa). Vyāyoga is a kind of drama or rūpaka, which has only one act. In ancient Indian classical tradition of drama, except Bhāsa, no one has chosen to write such type of drama. After thirteenth century A.D. some writers like Kāñcana Paṇḍit and Viśvanātha wrote Vyāyogas.

However, among these dramas, Bhāsa’s Dūtavākya and Madhyama Vyāyoga; Kāñcanācārya’s Dhanañjaya Vijaya and Viśvanātha’s Saugandhikāharaṇa are the best examples of Vyāyoga. Bhāsa is the first person to have written one-act plays. It was the period, when the drama and dramatic art were in a developed state. The royal support was the main reason for the encouragement of such type of dramas. The dramas were frequently produced on the festivals and religious holidays to entertain the royal people etc. In this period, there was competition to produce the drama. Bharata has given four reasons for the conflicts between actors, i.e. jealousy, because of difference of opinion, instructions of the king of the performance for the sake of financial considerations and the flag as a token of achievement (Nāṭyaśāstra.XXVII.68).