The collection of essays in this volume, grouped in three sections under the headings: General Perspectives, Traditions of Theatre, and Modern Idiom in Theatre, reveal the author's complete mastery on the various aspects of Indian culture, particularly the theatre arts.

The essays in this volume reverberate with an intensity of feeling for the ritual or folk theatre of Kerala, more through Sankara Pillai's eye and pen the vision of Earth as Mother and Mother as Earth in her diverse form is revealed.  equally powerful are the essays devoted to contemporary literature and theatre.  The author incisively analyses the theatre scene in India in its aspects of both national phenomena as also international with European movements.

Prof. Sankara Pillai was Chairman of the Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademi, Founder of the Calicut University Drama School at John Mathai Centre, and recipient of several national and international awards.

N. RADHAKRISHNAN, is an eminent scholar and Gandhian activist.  Through his writings and organizational abilities, he has made an indelible mark in the field of theatre with a message and a mission.  He has authored over twenty books, including Drama for Communication; The Dancing Feet; and Lesser Known Performing Arts of Tamilnadu.

At present, he is Director, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, New Delhi