Natasastra

Natyashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on performing arts, attributed to the sage Bharata Muni. Composed around 200 BCE to 200 CE, it serves as a comprehensive guide to drama, dance, and music. The text discusses the significance of aesthetics, the roles of various elements in performance, and the emotional expressions (rasas) conveyed through art. It outlines technical aspects like stagecraft, actor training, and the importance of dialogue and movement. Natyashastra is foundational to many classical Indian art forms, influencing how performance is understood and taught in India today.