The city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu recently played host to a three-day festival dedicated to the understanding and celebration of Natyashastra. This ancient treatise, steeped in history and filled with details about the captivating world of dramatic arts, provides invaluable insight into the classical Sanskrit theatre.
The Origins and Significance of Natyashastra
Natyashastra, also referred to in its complete form as Bharata Natyashastra, is an authoritative handbook and treatise on the art of drama. The work is attributed to the legendary sage and priest, Bharata, who is believed to have composed it between 200 BC and 200 AD. Beyond the realm of theatre, the Natyashastra serves as a comprehensive guide enveloping diverse arts integral to the classical Indian concept of drama. This includes dance, music, poetics, and aesthetics.
The Natyashastra holds a place of great reverence and significance within the Indian cultural heritage. So much so, that it has been assigned the status of the “fifth veda”. According to popular belief, the words for the text were sourced from the Rigveda, the music was inspired by the Samaveda, the gestures were derived from the Yajurveda, and the emotional content was drawn from the Atharvaveda.
Unpacking the Components of Natyashastra
Moving beyond the scope of a mere play or performance, the Natyashastra represents a holistic embodiment of various forms of art. By integrating elements like dance, music, and poetics, it offers a detailed portrayal of the traditional Indian drama.
Dance forms a crucial element of expression within the structure of the Natyashastra. It utilizes a rich vocabulary of hand gestures and body movements to convey narratives and express sentiments. Similarly, music provides aural enhancement and rhythmic structure to these performances. The text also delves into the nuances of poetics, which is a pivotal tool of storytelling in the dramatic arts.
Aesthetics, another major component of the Natyashastra, pertains to the sensibilities and tastes governing the creation and appreciation of art. The Natyashastra guides the principles and practices of aesthetics in traditional Indian theatre, setting benchmarks for beauty, harmony, and style.
Bharata and His Contribution
Bharata, the supposed author of the Natyashastra and a mythic Brahman sage, is revered for his contribution to classical Indian drama. While actual historical records about Bharata are scarce, his name is synonymous with the birth and development of the Sanskrit theatre tradition in India.
| Aspect | Source |
|---|---|
| Words | Rigveda |
| Music | Samaveda |
| Gestures | Yajurveda |
| Emotions | Atharvaveda |
The Cultural Impact of Natyashastra
Over the centuries, the Natyashastra has served as a lighthouse guiding the evolution of Indian classical arts. Not constrained to one specific period or region, this timeless treatise influences dramatic arts across different eras and geographies within the Indian subcontinent. The philosophy and principles articulated in the Natyashastra are still utilized today, asserting its relevance and contributing to the preservation of the rich tradition of Indian drama and performance art.