Srimanta Sankaradeva and Bertolt Brecht: A Comparative Study on their Dramatic Arts

Abstract

The present paper compares the dramatic arts of Srimanta Sankaradeva and Bertolt Brecht, two extraordinary writers from vastly different historical times and cultural traditions who shared a vision of theatre’s social duty. Sankaradeva, the founder of the Neo-Vaishnavite Movement in Assam, used his Ankiya Nats to propagate religious principles, moral discipline, and spiritual awareness among the general public. His plays incorporated music, dance, narration, and devotional themes to produce an approachable and entertaining type of performance. In contrast, Bertolt Brecht, a twentieth-century German dramatist, created the notion of Epic Theatre to promote critical thinking and social consciousness. Rejecting emotional absorption, he employed strategies like episodic storytelling, the alienation effect and commentary through songs to stimulate rational reflection among audiences. The study investigates their dramatic goals, structural elements, performance styles, and intended influence on spectators. It demonstrates how Sankaradeva strove to steer society by spiritual enlightenment, whereas Brecht sought to stimulate social inquiry and intellectual awareness. Despite their differing ideologies and methods, both dramatists saw theatre as an effective medium for teaching and reform. The research concludes that their dramatic contributions show theatre’s ongoing ability to communicate ideas, form social consciousness, and affect human cognition across cultural and chronological borders.