THEA 2011 Lecture Notes - Indian Classical Drama, Dramatic Theory
20 Mar 2014
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Document Summary
The natysastra is a work of dramatic theory, written around the same time as kalidasa"s plays. Our knowledge about sanskrit theatre derives mostly from this text. It contains long detailed instructions on playwriting, costumes, acting and theatre architecture ect. Although they are often mysterious and hard to interpret. The natyasastra describes how to mime many actions. Changes of locations are symbolized by walking in a circle around the stage. The main focus is on how to make the audience immersed in the drama by making them fell the emotions of the characters (rather than the logs of the play) Bhava things in the text or onstage that suggest emotional state. Rasa the emotional response created in the spectator by the bhavas. The natyasasra lists the bhavas that inspire particular rasas. Example love in union" (one aspect of the erotic rasa) Vabavas (objects or ideas that inspire this rasa) Each scene should mix and balance different rasas in a dazzling way.
