Natyashastra

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) recently organised an academic programme titled “Natyashastra – Synthesis of Theory and Praxis” at the Red Fort, Delhi, during the 20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The programme highlighted the timeless relevance of the Natyashastra in India’s artistic and cultural traditions.

About Natyashastra

The Natyashastra is an ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. The word is derived from ‘Natya’ (dance and drama) and ‘Shastra’ (science or systematic knowledge). It was composed by the sage Bharata Muni and is dated between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. It is regarded as the earliest known comprehensive text on performative arts in South Asia.

Importance of Natyashastra

The primary significance of the Natyashastra lies in its justification of Indian drama as a means of moral, spiritual, and religious enlightenment. It provides a structured framework for understanding performance as a tool for both entertainment and education.

Content and Structure

The Natyashastra consists of approximately 36,000 verses, covering various aspects of the performing arts, including drama (natya), performance techniques (abhinaya), music (sangita), emotions (bhava), and aesthetic experience (rasa). It serves as a foundational text for Indian classical dance, music, and theatre traditions.

Concept of Rasa – A Key Contribution

One of the most important contributions of the Natyashastra is the theory of Rasa, which represents the emotional essence experienced by the audience. Bharata Muni identified eight primary Rasas:

• Shringara (love)

• Hasya (humour)

• Karuna (compassion)

• Raudra (anger)

• Veera (heroism)

• Bhayanaka (fear)

• Bibhatsa (disgust)

• Adbhuta (wonder)

He explained that through the effective expression of bhava (emotional states), a skilled performer can evoke these rasas in the audience, creating a deep aesthetic experience.

Global Recognition

The UNESCO Memory of the World Register has included the Natyashastra, recognising its outstanding universal cultural and intellectual value.

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA): Key Facts

The IGNCA is an autonomous institution established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Culture.

Mandate of IGNCA

The centre aims to document, preserve, conserve, and disseminate India’s artistic and cultural heritage, and to train professionals in specialised cultural fields.

Functional Units of IGNCA

• Kalanidhi – A multi-form reference library.

• Kalakosa – Dedicated to the study and publication of core texts, mainly in Sanskrit.

• Janapada Sampada – Focuses on lifestyle and folk culture studies.

• Kaladarsana – Converts research into exhibitions and visual presentations.

• Cultural Informatics Lab – Applies digital technology for cultural preservation.

• Sutradhara – Acts as the administrative backbone, coordinating all IGNCA activities