Module 4: Sanskrit Theatre Flashcards
Who wrote the Natya Sastra?
Bharata Muni
What was the Natya Sastra?
Basically an all-purpose guide to theatre structured as a 6,000 verse poem.
Who could be actors in Sanskrit theatre?
Anyone- male, female, or mixed
What is a rasa?
A rasa is a mood (or “flavor”) a sanskrit actor is supposed to invoke
What are bhavas?
Universal human emotions
Who wrote The Little Clay Cart?
King Sudraka
How did the sanskrit language and prakrit languages compare?
Prakrit was seen as secondary and less prestigious than sanskrit
Who was Bharata Muni?
Sanskrit theatre’s Plato; he wrote a guide on ‘how to do great theatre’ (Natya Sastra). He was semi-divine and may have been a literary concept rather than a person.
Naty Sastra’s theory of the origins of drama
Brahma (guys who “creates stuff”) and some other gods are worried that the scriptures are too ‘literary,’
Shringara
Indian rasa: “erotic” (love, romantic or platonic)
Hasya
Indian rasa: “comic” (joy/humor)
Karuna
Indian rasa: “pathetic” (sad or pity)
Raudra
Indian rasa: “furious” (anger/stress)
Vira
Indian rasa: “heroic” (courage, pride, confidence)
Bhayanaka
Indian rasa: “terrible” (fear, worry)
