Natyadarshana

Natyādarśana is the classical Indian treatise on theater and dramatic arts, attributed to the ancient sage Bharata. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding acting, stagecraft, and the aesthetic principles of performance. The text outlines how emotions (rasas) are conveyed through gestures (mudras), dialogue, music, and costumes to evoke specific feelings in the audience. Natyādarśana's insights have influenced Indian performing arts for centuries, emphasizing harmony between content, form, and audience engagement. It serves as both a theoretical guide and a practical manual for creating compelling traditional theater and drama.