INDIAN SANSKRIT THEATRE

The beginng of Indian Sanskrit Theatre is heavily argued with many believing that the earliest days began in the last days of the B.C. era and into the early 1st century A.D. Literature of Sanskrit Theatre is broken into two parts: Vedic (1500-200 B.C.) and Sanskrit (200 B.C.-1100A.D.) Everything is traced back to god Brahma, who played a major role in the four Hindu Vedas.

GOD BRAHMA

God Brahma is believed, by the Hindu, to be the creator of the universe. God Brahma is recognized as the Supreme being, god of gods. God Brahma is a four-faced, four-armed, bearded being. He holds a book and a rose with his upper hands, and a water pot in one of the lower hands. One hand is free to bestow grace. The four faces represent the four Vedas. God Brahma combined the four Vedas to create a fifth Veda called "Natya" or theatre.

NATYA/NATYASASTRA

The Natya was available for everyone and contained all kinds of knowledge and art. The "Natyasastra" was later formed from the Natya. The Natyasastra, "authoritive text on the theatre", is a manuscript made up of performance codes believed to be written around 200 B.C. This manuscript outlines how actors should perform, what kinds of costumes and make up to wear, and what kind of theatre space is appropriate for the performance.

THEORY OF RASA

In the Natyasastra writings, the theory of Rasa is introdced. Rasa is tastes or flavors that compliment each other. There are 8 Rasas which are; love, mirth, sadness, wrath, vigor, disgust, the terrible, and the marvellous. Sanskrit plays should include all eight Rasas in the performance.

PERFORMANCE CONVENTIONS

Although Sanskrit performances contained simple stage props, the costumes, make up, and the performance was the important thing. In the Natyasastra, the different stages are mentioned, square, triangular, and rectangular. The Natyasastra recommeneds the rectangular stage because of the better view.

SANSKRIT PLAYS

The main goal of a Sanskrit play is for the hero's struggle to attain an object of desire. The hero is faced with obstacles along the way making it harder for the hero, but in Sanskrit , the hero is successful in the end. The hero achieves one or more of the three ends of Hindu life; "dharma" or duty, "kama" or controlled sensual pleasure, or "artha" the wealth that allows one to provide for others.

Geoff, i am still working on this blog...having trouble arranging pics and videos. Still have to cite my work. I know it was due already, so if you have to dock me, i understand...