Natya Shastra Notes

Natya Shastra
1st shloka, 36 Chapters, Abhinaya Bharathi- Commentary
First chapter:
Natya Udpadi- History of Natya
1. How do Bramha create it?
2. For whom it was created?
3. How many angas, chapters
4. Magnitude of natya shastra, varieties, standard and class
5. What is the prayoga of this Natyashastra?
Origin:
Indra goes to Brahma and says that everyone seems to get rooted in envy, jealousy and such negative
thoughts.
Indira went to bramha, people have issues with connectivity and communication, please give us a form of
entertainment or enjoyment for everyone- a form that is heard and seen and understood by everyone ( all
classes and genders).
Dance is presented in the 4+1 vedas:
1. Rg Veda-Lyrics
2. Sama Veda - Music
3. Yagur Veda- Music Abhinaya
4. Atharvana veda- black magic veda, touches the heart, rasaa
5. Natya Veda- Panchamam vedam, 5th veda created
Story of the first production:
Bharatha 100 sons, Bramha creates Upsaras (muses) graceful dramatizers, sage Swathi instruments and
Sage Narada does the music. First dramatic production, the theme of fight between devas and asuras,
devas and asuras are in the audience and they become elated and angry, respectfully. Virupaksha wreaks
havoc, Virupaksha (Shiva. Virupaksha is an Asura), Indira Jarjara(flag staff). As a result of this,
Vishwakarma (the celestial architect) is called and asked to build a natyagruha that would minimize such
issues during repertoire in the future.
Definition of Natya (natya svarupa, form), characteristics-
Representation of bhava, feelings, the feeling of the beings encompassing the three worlds. Has a little bit
of everything, and whatever that is necessary/needed. Dharma, creda, monetary benefit, reasoning,
vada/destruction of evil, shrama, hasya(humor), fighting, sringara(love) (I think the last one is desire -
Kama). Righteousness, improves age, good for brain/intellect, loka upadesha/ telling the world. Things
are not ignored, ways of the world are not ignored. What can you not see in natya? Representation of the
7 continents, this presentation should be performed in a place that was constructed by vishvakarma.
Recap: Natya as created through the Vedas. The first performance. Anukaranam, retelling of stories.
nature and definietion of natya. Characteristics, dharma aartha, yashas. Gives us the moksha, sadhana. Art
form that gives us- Dharma aartha kama moksha
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Second Chapter:
Preksha GrhaLakshanam- The stage built by vishvakarma
The playhouse can have types based on two broad classifications.
1. Size
a. Big
b. Medium
c. Small
2. Shape
a. Rectangular
b. Square
c. Triangular
In total 3 by 3, there are 9 possible combinations - that gives us 9 types of Natyagruhas
Describing the playhouse- the full auditorium
1. Rectangular
2. Chaturushra/Square
3. Triashra/triangular
4. Large
5. Medium
6. Small
Big playhouse is a disadvantage to the humans
1. Big- Gods
2. Medium+small- humans
Medium - Kings
Small - Humans
Building process prescription:
Precise measurements, how the site should be planned, foundation laid
4 pillars (4 historical classes) equal height
Before building offerings-Copper, jewelry
House, temple, auditorium built through the small building ritual.
Determines ornamental work
STAGE ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAMMING:
1. Rectangular stage requirements, 64x32 Medium Stage, made into half, 32x32 will be for audience
and 32x32 is for stage. Divided again into 2, 32x16 nepatrygrha/greenroom, 32x16 is the actual
performance stage. Divide again 32/16 into 4 8’s, 16x16 is stage, 2 8x16’s for side stage.
Rangasheersha(this is a slightly elevated platform), orchestra seated behind actors. Separation of
spaces and thresholds were denoted by pillars and wooden panels, not curtains.
a. Ornamental woodwork, doors done in exquisite manner (Eg - Pillar designed like an
elephant’s trunk - basically aesthetic appeal)
2. Square stage requirements
3. Triangular stage. Wider part is audience, shorter side is for performance
Recap: Commissioning the stage and prescribing the geometry.
Third Chapter:
Ranga daivatha poojanam- pooja of ranga devata, how to do pooja for the gods
Natya grhapravesha- bhramins, pooja for all major and minor gods
Kalasha and image of god, The imbue the kalsha with the characteristics and life force of that life.
Installation form of deities should be done through pooja first. If we give them offering of their favoritve
types they will bless us.
5 levels of Jarjara-
1. Bramha
2. Hara
3. Janardhana
4. Muruga
5. Naga
Things done by acharya/teacher: Ritualistic cleaning/achamana and self cleaning

Pot should be broken, auspicious
Noise should be made through percussive instruments, there should be cuts and blood, good omens
Nobody should start a play without worshipping the stage
Natya acharya- well trained, initiated into art form, humble, calm, theoretical, worship should be done in
a specific way.
Recap: adoration of the gods
Fourth Chapter:
Thandava Laskhanam- beauty of Nritta, taught through shiva as nataraja
This performance, how it originated and how it should have the 4 vritti, the kaishiki vritti, bharatha
puttras, narada singing, and swati instruments, upsaras as dance, natya is drama

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Natya Shastra

1st shloka, 36 Chapters, Abhinaya Bharathi- Commentary

Recap: Commissioning the stage and prescribing the geometry.

Things done by acharya/teacher: Ritualistic cleaning/achamana and self cleaning

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