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Here will be notes on Indian dance and theatre.

Nāṭyaśāstra

Updates will be published in the channel.

The translation of some chapters is based on the NŚ website with minor corrections, the original source being Wisdomlib, English translation by Manomohan Ghosh.

Chapter 1, the genesis of drama;
Chapter 2, characteristics of the building for performances;
Chapter 3, worship of the gods of the stage (raṅgapūjā);
Chapter 4, on dance;
Chapter 5 describes the ritual of pūrvaraṅga – the preparation of the stage;
Chapter 6 is devoted to the theory of Rasa [effects of performing arts];
Chapter 7 reveals the concept of bhāva [emotion];
Chapter 8 speaks of facial expressions and glances;
Chapter 9 describes gestures [hastas] (single, combined, dance);
Chapter 10 describes movements of the limbs and positions of the feet;
Chapter 11 explains the basic Cārī (movements), standing positions (Sthānas) and positions with weapons;
Chapter 12 describes combined movements (Maṇḍala);
Chapter 13 speaks of various gaits;
Chapter 14 explains how local theatrical customs should be taken into account;
Chapter 15 – verbal representation (vācika) and prosody;
Chapter 16 – metrical patterns (chandas);
Chapter 17 – the language of the play (lakṣaṇa);
Chapter 18 – rules for the use of languages (bhāṣā);
Chapter 19 – forms of address and intonation;
Chapter 20 – ten kinds of drama (daśarūpa);
Chapter 21 – members of parts (sandhi);
Chapter 22 – styles (vṛtti);
Chapter 23 – costumes and makeup (nepathya);
Chapter 24 – harmonious representation (sāmānyābhinaya);
Chapter 25 – dealing with courtesans (vaiśika);
Chapter 26 – pictorial representation (citrābhinaya);
Chapter 27 – success in a dramatic production (siddhi);
Chapter 28 – on instrumental music (ātodya);
Chapter 29 – on stringed instruments (tata);
Chapter 30 – on hollow instruments (suṣira);
Chapter 31 – on the measure of time (tāla);
Chapter 32 – on dhruvā songs;
Chapter 33 – on covered instruments (avanaddha);
Chapter 34 – types of characters (prakṛti);
Chapter 35 – on the distribution of roles (bhūmikā);
Chapter 36 – on the descent of drama to the earth.

Most lists contain 36 chapters; however, there are sources where chapters 37 and 38 are present.

Chapter 37 tells the story of a king who sent his sons to Earth to impart Nāṭya to people.

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Nāṭyaśāstra

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