Folk theatre in India has a rich legacy. In the ancient Vedic culture and even in Buddhist literature folk theatre first made its presence felt as an art form to illustrate the unedited realities of life. However, it is only in the medieval period folk theatre gradually became an integral part of Indian drama.
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Author's Bio: 

Historically Folk theatre in India did emerge in the 15th or 16th century as illustrations from puranas and eposes.