The Study Of The Natyasastra

Natyasastra, the earliest extant work of Sanskrit dramaturgy, discusses the fundamental theories, construction techniques and performance practices of the Sanskrit drama comprehensively and thoroughly. The paper is based on my translation works. First, it presents the outline of Natyasastra by brief introduction of its background, substance and aesthetic tendency. Then systematic interpretation is made on Natyasastra’s aesthetic core—Rasa&Bhava as well as the theory of shaping characters, such as the Itivrtta and classification of roles, by analyzing selected points in line with the general topics. Under the support of above, the paper focuses on the elaboration of the principles of the performance practice, together with a comparative study of the similarities and differences of the dramatic theory and practice as well as aesthetic tendency among Sanskrit drama, western drama or Chinese traditional opera. Through three-dimensional expatiation of the Sanskrit dramaturgical theory and practice, as well as the comparison of the western drama and the Chinese traditional opera, we would see clearly that Natyasastra accords with the aesthetics of the eastern culture system, while remaining distinctive in its theory and performance model. From this, the unique dramatic concept of Natyasastra can be grasped integrally. addition, the paper also briefly introduces the traditional performing arts of modern India. It is not difficult to see the far-reaching influence of Natyasastra on the Indian performing arts for its development over the past thousand years.