India, May 2 -- Debates about freedom of expression and government censorship, have been around for a long time. In early March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited his government for having repealed a colonial-era law called the Dramatic Performances Act, enacted in 1876. Blame games soon followed over obsolete laws.

Given the law was brought into the spotlight, it is interesting to note why it was enacted in the first place, and how it impacted the nation's cultural landscape. A peek into its history shows how ingenious writers lifted their craft to express themselves despite clamp downs. Here's a glimpse of how they did it.

Theatre in India

Theatre, both the classical and folk form, has existed in India for millennia. While Bhasa ...