One important element in theatrical representation now-a-days is the
various stage appliances such as, painted scenery, costumes and make-up
However able the actors aud actresses might be in delivering the
speeches assigned to their roles, without being placed against properly
painted scenery and without having proper costumes and make-up, by their
acting and delivery alone they cannot create that kind of stage-illusion
which is necessary for the success of a dramatic production. But in the
ancient Indian stage thero was no painted scenery. Hence the actors had to
depend a great deal upon costumes and make-up. By the term ShSryabhi-
naya the Hindu theorists understood these two items (XXIII)..
Though painted scenery is considered indispensable iu tho modern,
theatre, tho aucient Indians having a considerably different conceptiou of
the drama, did not require its aid for the production of a play. The wall
that separated the tiring room (nepathya) and the stage (raitgapiiha)
together with the screens covering the two doors connecting the stage aud
the tiring room, served as tho back-ground to show off to advantage tho