The Natyashastra is a treatise on dance and drama attributed to the sage Bharata Muni. It is believed to have been composed in In the Second century BC from earlier knowledge. Bharata established artistic principles and a system of training. These rigid rules of the language of gesture and music were laid out in his treatise the Natya Shastra.
Sanskrit has a single word for dance and drama, the two being considered inseparable: Natya. Bharata speaks of Nritya the expressive dance that tells a story through pantomime; and Nritta, the pure dance performed for its own sake, in which the dancer surrenders to intoxicating rhythm.
The Natyashastra is important as it is a treatise on the various human emotions and longings that exist in us and how they can be awakened, brought out and expressed
According to the Natyashastra creating plays and paintings, writing poetry, making sculptures, chanting, meditating, even religious discourse and listening to myths and legends and communal singing, and music are some of the acts and behaviors, that can help to beckon, engage and awaken the Ras. Dance, Of course, is the greatest device for the Ras to be awakened
The gestures and movements we see in Indian classical dance originate from the Natyashastra and these take time to learn, appreciate and understand. Accomplished classical dancers, through the rigorous practice of their art and craft were, on more than a few occasions, able to awaken this essence, this sap, this Ras, the Ras”a within.
To reach such accomplishment rigorous training was required and such dancing became the preserve of very few Such accomplishment was not, and is still not within the reach of the majority of people; those onlooking and
We see an exhibition of many of the Rasas covered in the Natyashastra whenever we watch a film, or a play or indeed when interact with other humans. The Natyashastra is a fascinating and complex work and we hope to explore the work further in future articles and flip books
Grosse