Who was the author of Natyashastra?

The Natya Shastra is an ancient Indian treatise on performing arts and dramaturgy, particularly focused on classical Indian dance, music, and theater. It is attributed to the sage Bharata Muni and is believed to have been composed between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. The Natya Shastra is considered one of the earliest and most comprehensive works on the performing arts in India.

Key features of the Natya Shastra:

A) Authorship: The Natya Shastra is traditionally attributed to Bharata Muni, an ancient sage. However, it is important to note that Bharata Muni is a legendary figure, and the work itself may have had contributions from multiple authors over time.

B) Scope: The Natya Shastra covers a wide range of topics related to the performing arts, including the theory of drama, different types of plays, the classification of characters, the use of gestures (mudras), vocal and instrumental music, dance, costumes, makeup, and stage design.

C) Rasa and Bhava: One of the central concepts in the Natya Shastra is the idea of “Rasa” and “Bhava.” Rasa refers to the aesthetic essence or emotional flavor experienced by the audience, while Bhava refers to the emotional states or sentiments expressed by the actors.

D) Natyadharmi and Lokadharmi: The Natya Shastra distinguishes between two types of acting styles: Natyadharmi, which is a stylized and idealized form of acting suitable for the stage, and Lokadharmi, which is a more naturalistic and everyday form of acting.

E) Theatrical Elements: The treatise describes in detail various aspects of theatrical production, including the construction of theaters, the roles of different artists, the use of costumes and makeup, and the technical aspects of stagecraft.

F) Influence: The Natya Shastra has had a profound influence on the development of classical Indian performing arts, including Bharatanatyam (classical dance), classical music, and traditional theater forms like Kathakali and Kutiyattam.

The Natya Shastra remains an important and foundational text in the study of Indian aesthetics, and its principles continue to guide practitioners and scholars in the field of classical performing arts.