draama

Draama is the spelling used in Finnish and Estonian for the art and literature known in English as drama. It denotes dramatic works performed on stage, aired on radio or television, or adapted for film, as well as the craft and study of writing and staging such works. The term encompasses tragedies, comedies, and more experimental forms within a broad category of dramatic arts. Etymology traces to the Greek drama via Latin and French, with the Finnish and Estonian forms reflecting local phonology. In these languages, draama covers both traditional stage plays and modern media dramatizations, including television dramas and radio plays.

The history of draama follows the wider history of drama: rooted in ancient theatre and evolving through medieval, early modern, and modern periods. In Finnish and Estonian contexts, draama has absorbed influences from global theatre and film, giving rise to national playwrights and cinema that explore social, political, and personal themes. Common genres within draama include tragedy, comedy, realism, and contemporary or experimental forms such as absurdist or multimedia drama.

Draama is studied in literature and theatre studies and is produced by writers, directors, actors, and technicians who collaborate to create dramatic experiences. See also: drama, theatre, dramaturgy, screenplay.