The Natyasastra: Cultural
Significance and Historical Context
In the context of Indian culture, the arts of dance, music
and drama are highly interrelated. Dance and music share a common literature and
terminology (sangita). Both are
integral components of natya, which is the art of theater in its fullest sense.
This interrelated nature of Indian performance is a heritage that
continues to the present day.
Natya, or drama, can include both vocal and instrumental
music, spoken dialog in poetry and prose forms, gesture or pantomime (mudras),
abstract dance, storytelling dance, or various combinations of all these
elements.
The earliest surviving treatise on Indian theatre is the Natyasastra,
written by Bharata in the 2nd century AD (or perhaps earlier).
It thoroughly discusses the precepts and essential components of
classical Indian theatre, including:
-
its mythological origin as the divine creation of the gods
-
the ritual components of performance
-
theatre architecture
-
choreography
-
stage production
-
vocal techniques
-
literary composition
-
costume and makeup
-
music
-
aesthetic theory
-
the performers: actors, musicians and dancers
-
the organization of theatre companies
-
the audience it serves
-
its purpose in the society
Classical Indian theatre, now referred to as Sanskrit
theatre, developed during the Vedic
period. This is the period from
about 2000 to 1000 BC during which the Vedas, four books of hymns sacred to the
Hindu people, were written. The
Vedas describe religious rituals and beliefs in a verse form that conveys a
heightened sense of the mystical through its vivid images and illusive style.
The four Vedas each contributed an element to the creation of the Natyasastra: recitation came from the Rig Veda, song from the Sama Veda, acting from the Yajur Veda and aesthetics from the Atharva Veda. The Natyasastra is considered to be the 5th Veda, or sacred text. The Natyasastra, then, reveals the religious context of Indian performance as an expression of the spiritual basis of the Indian culture.
