The Natyasastra and the Body in Performance - by Sreenath Nair (Paperback)

About the Book

"The Natyasastra is an extensive documentation of terminologies, concepts and methodologies. The aesthetic theory of rasa is central to the Natyasastra, a term widely used in recent debates in aesthetics, philosophy, neuroscience and performance practice. This volume presents 14 scholarly essays exploring the Natyasastra from the multiple perspectives of Indian performance studies"--

Book Synopsis

The Natyasastra is the deep repository of Indian performance studies. It embodies centuries of performance knowledge developed in South Asia on a range of conceptual issues and practical methodologies of the body. The composition of the Natyasastra is attributed to Sage Bharatha, and dates back to between 200 BC and AD 200. Written in Sanskrit, the text contains 6000 verse stanzas integrated in 36 chapters discussing a wide range of issues in theatre arts, including dramatic composition; construction of the playhouse; detailed analysis of the musical scales; body movements; various types of acting; directing; division of stage space; costumes; make-up; properties and musical instruments.

As a discourse on performance, the Natyasastra is an extensive documentation of terminologies, concepts and methodologies. This book presents 14 scholarly essays exploring the Natyasastra from the multiple perspectives of Indian performance studies--epistemological, aesthetic, scientific, religious, ethnological and practical.

Review Quotes

"the volume provides suggestive ways not only of considering the impact of a unique, provocative ancient text on India's rich drama and dance cultures but also of understanding Western drama and dance aesthetics and practices...recommended" -Choice.

About the Author

Sreenath Nair is a senior lecturer at the University of Lincoln's School of Performing Arts in the United Kingdom.