Mancha: Theatre of Malwa (Central India)

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9788193019085

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8193019085

In this pioneering volume, Niranjan Mahawar provides the first serious English-language study of Mancha, the vibrant folk theatre of the Malwa region. Belonging to the spiritual "Bhagat" genre alongside forms like Nautanki and Swang, Mancha traces its immediate lineage to the Rajasthani Khyal tradition. Mahawar documents the cultural migration of mentors from Rajasthan to Ujjain, where they imbibed native elements to forge a new, distinct theatrical identity—originally known as Khyal Mancha.

The narrative captures a thriving contemporary scene, with dozens of active troupes and over a hundred plays written in the rich Malwa dialect. Mahawar highlights the linguistic virtuosity of the playwrights, whose works often bridge Marwari, Urdu, Gujarati, and Hindi. This book serves as an essential archive for a flourishing dramatic form that remains a cornerstone of Central Indian cultural life.