‘Natyashastra’ the famous treatise on dramatic art was written by _______

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

NTPC CBT-I (Held On: 8 Jan 2021 Shift 1)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Bharata Muni.

Natyashastra is a Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. The text is attributed to the sage Bharata Muni, and its first complete compilation dates to between 200 BCE and 200 CE, but estimates vary between 500 BCE and 500 CE.

Key Points

Natyashastra
- The Natyashastra, in full Bharata Natyashastra, is a detailed treatise and pamphlet on the dramatic arts that deals with all aspects of classical Sanskrit theatre.
- It is believed to have been written by the mythical Brahmin sage and priest Bharata (200 BC–200 AD).
- Its many chapters contain a detailed treatment of all the diverse arts embodied in the classical Indian concept of drama, including dance, music, politics and general aesthetics.
- It is also known as the fifth Veda as it is developed by taking words from Rigveda, music from Samaveda, gestures from Yajurveda and emotions from Atharvaveda.
Bharata Muni
- Bharata Muni was an ancient Indian dramatist and musicologist who wrote the Natya Shastra, a theoretical treatise on ancient Indian dramaturgy and historiography, especially Sanskrit theatre.
- Bharata is considered the father of Indian theatrical art forms.
- He dates to between 200 BCE and 200 CE, but estimates vary between 500 BCE and 500 CE.
- The Natya Shastra by Bharata Muni and "Abhinaya Darpan" by Nandikeshwara are considered to be the original sources of Bharatanatyam.