Bharata Natya Shastra refers to an ancient Indian text that is considered to be one of the most important treatises on the performing arts. The term "Bharata" refers to the sage Bharata Muni, who is credited with compiling and codifying this text, while "Natya Shastra" translates to "the scripture of drama."
Composed in Sanskrit, the Bharata Natya Shastra is said to date back to approximately 200 BCE, making it one of the oldest surviving texts on the theory and practice of Indian performing arts. It covers a wide range of topics including music, dance, theatre, and the aesthetics of performance. The text provides detailed and comprehensive guidelines regarding various aspects of dramatic arts, including gestures (mudras), facial expressions (abhinaya), vocal techniques (sabda), and emotional expression (rasa).
The Bharata Natya Shastra serves as a foundational text for various Indian classical forms of performing arts, including dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and Manipuri, among others. It provides a systematic framework for understanding and practicing these traditional art forms, outlining the principles, techniques, and aesthetics that are integral to their performances.
This ancient text continues to be widely studied and referenced by scholars, academics, and practitioners of Indian performing arts. It serves as a significant source of knowledge and inspiration, nurturing the preservation and development of the diverse traditional art forms of India.
