Ecology on Stage: A Study of Indian Classical Drama

The paper draws on performative ecology based on complex distinction between theatre, environment and ecology (a form of thinking/ mode of value of interconnectedness and interdependence) by revisiting the Indian classical drama, further, exploring landscape, nature and space in Kalidasa’s Abhijnana Shakuntalam. The research is qualitative in nature and is based on textual analysis of the primary data. The research approach uses eco-critical framework which interprets the ecological dimensions found in the primary text. The Indian classical text “Abhijnana Shakuntalam” is taken for study to understand the notion of ecology in the drama. The constructive relation of human and ecology in performative aspect, intermeshing emotions and thought construction of Shakuntala and Dushyanta, apolitical nature, structuring of identities suggests positive ecological lessons and the impact of ecosystem and landscape on human beings. Stage refers to the performance enacted in theatre that gives illustration of green sensibilities. The main research questions are: “what is the impact of environment on human mind?” and “how Indian classical drama engages with the topologies of ecology through performance on theatrical stage?”