Art & Culture: Natyashastra – The Science of Drama

📅 Date: 19 December 2025 (Friday)

Art & Culture: Natyashastra and The 8 Rasas

In a significant cultural event, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) recently organized an academic program titled ‘Natyashastra – Synthesis of Theory and Praxis’. This took place during the historic 20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee at the Red Fort, Delhi.

Let's break down this ancient text for your exam preparation.

1. What is the Natyashastra?

The Natyashastra is the primary ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. It serves as the foundation for Indian classical dance, music, and theatre.

        📚 Word Origin:

        The title is a combination of two Sanskrit words:
        Natya: Technique of dance and drama.
Shastra: Science or Rules.

        Essentially, it is the "Science of Drama".
    

Key Facts for Prelims:

Author: Composed by the sage Bharata Muni.
Timeline: Dated between 200 BCE and 200 CE.
Content: It contains approximately 36,000 verses.
Scope: It covers Drama (Natya), Performance (Abhinaya), Music (Sangita), Emotions (Bhava), and Aesthetics (Rasa).

Global Recognition: UNESCO has added the Natyashastra to its Memory of the World Register, acknowledging its immense cultural value.

2. The Theory of Rasas (Aesthetics)

The most famous contribution of the Natyashastra is the Rasa theory. Bharata Muni identified Eight Primary Rasas that evoke specific emotions in the audience.

🎭 The 8 Primary Rasas:

Shringara: Love / Beauty
Hasya: Humor / Laughter
Karuna: Compassion / Sorrow
Raudra: Anger
Veera: Heroism / Courage
Bhayanaka: Fear
Bibhatsa: Disgust
Adbhuta: Wonder / Surprise

(Note: The 9th Rasa, Shanta or Peace, was added by later scholars, but Bharata Muni listed these 8).

3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who composed the Natyashastra?
Ans: Sage Bharata Muni.

Q2: What does "Natyashastra" mean?
Ans: It combines 'Natya' (dance/drama) and 'Shastra' (science), meaning the Science of Drama.

Q3: How many Rasas are mentioned in it?
Ans: Bharata Muni identified 8 primary Rasas.

Q4: Why was it in the news recently?
Ans: IGNCA organized a program on it during the UNESCO session at Red Fort, Delhi.

Study Tip: For Art & Culture questions, always remember the timeline (2nd Century BCE - CE) and the fact that it covers not just dance, but music and stagecraft as well.