V2I8P11

Nautanki to Netflix: From Street Plays to Streaming Platforms

Khushi Kannaujia^1*, Dr. Loknath²

Abstract

This article investigates the dynamic interaction between ancient Indian folk performance, nautanki specifically, and new digital narrative spaces such as Netflix. Based on the rich narrative and performative tradition of nautanki, the research discusses how its fundamental components—musical narrative, moralistic themes, hyperbolic characters, and audience participation—have evolved to become the framework and genre of contemporary Indian cinema and web series. By means of example case studies, the article illustrates how digital platforms not only function as entertainment tools but also as mediums for cultural retention and reimagining. In combining folk practices with international streaming forms, artists are creating stories that work locally as well as globally. The article frames the analysis in terms of media convergence theory and cultural hybridity to illuminate the evolution of traditional art forms in an increasingly dynamic media environment. The article concludes that this movement away from nautanki towards Netflix is not a loss of tradition, but rather a deliberate relocation and renaissance in the digital age.

Keywords:

Nautanki, Street plays, Folk Theatre, Digital Media, OTT Platforms, Cultural Transition, Traditional Entertainment, Convergence, Digital Age