Indian Popular Theatres foregrounds an aspect of contemporary performance that has for some time warranted but not received serious study. It explores the living traditions of Indian Theatre in terms of its audience and the specific circumstances that surround them, focusing on four key forms:

• Bengali Jatra epics


• The Pandavani and storytellers of Central India


• The progressive New Marathi Theatre of Pune


• Safdar Hashmia (TM)s JANAM street theatre

Each of these styles of performance is discussed in detail, building a core understanding around which a wider picture of Indiaa (TM)s performative self-expression can be assembled.