Natyasastra in the Modern World (Proceedings of the 15th World Sanskrit Conference)

Natyasastra of Bharatamuni, considered as the fifth Veda, has remained a Sarnhita with a systematic presentation of conceptual frameworks, theories and practices of Indian theatre for a few millennium years. Every performing art of India (dance-drama) has drawn both theoretical and aesthetics values from Bharata and his Natuasasira, giving continuity to a legacy, as it was written to set models and standards for actors, artisans, and the playwrights. Natyasastra's discovery in the nineteenth century was a milestone in the world history of aesthetics and theatre. The subsequent researches made Bharata and his theatre a vibrant topic of global dialogue and researches. This has resulted in the discovery of different versions of the Natyasastra.

This volume discusses in detail the divergent views on Natyasastra - its origin, concepts, philosophy, history, vrtti, impact on traditional stages, relevance in modern age and stage, and its applicability in post-modern stage. It also vividly talks about the interlinks between Natyasastra and the regional theatre forms with specific focus on south India. It therefore reinstates the fact that the regional theatric traditions have considerably contributed to the restructuring of Natyasastra texts.

With deliberations on varied topics, this book proudly announces that Natyasastra is not just a text, but a tradition of theatre that has remained vibrant till today, reminiscent of Indian world- view. And this makes this volume a must-study for "who is who" in the theatric domain.

About the Author

Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi is one of the senior-most professors of Sanskrit in the country. He has served as Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Vice-Chancellor on additional charge at Shri Lal Bahadur Shasri Sanskrit Vidyapeeth and Vice-Chancellor in charge of Dr H.s. Gour University. He was visiting professor at Silpakorn University, Bangkok, for three years.

Widely acclaimed for his original contributions to the study of Natyasastra and Sahityasastra, Prof. Tripathi has published 159 books, 216 research papers and critical essays as well as translations of more than thirty Sanskrit plays and some classics from Sanskrit into Hindi. He has received thirty-three national and international awards and honours for his literary contributions. He has been referred in various research journals on Indology. Research for Ph.D. has been completed as well as is being carried on his creative writings in Sanskrit in a number of universities. Three journals brought out special numbers on his writings. Four books comprising studies on his creative and critical writings are also