Indian Knowledge Systems and Indian English Drama

Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) represent the traditional knowledge developed in India over thousands of years. This knowledge includes philosophy, art, literature, ethics, spirituality, and cultural practices. Theatre has always been an important part of Indian knowledge traditions. From ancient Sanskrit drama to folk performances, drama has been used not only for entertainment but also for teaching values and social awareness. Indian English drama, though written in the English language, is deeply connected with Indian culture and traditions. Many Indian playwrights have used myths, epics, folk forms, and philosophical ideas taken from Indian Knowledge Systems. This chapter studies how Indian English drama reflects IKS through themes, characters, dramatic techniques, and performance styles. It also explains the relevance of this relationship in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages the inclusion of Indian Knowledge Systems in higher education. The chapter shows that Indian English drama acts as a bridge between ancient Indian wisdom and modern literary expression