Drama (Indian) and Hinduism

Hinduism is known as the oldest religion of the world, which is widely followed by the inhabitants of the Indian sub-continent. It has as many as one billion followers - the third largest of the world after Christianity and Islam.

Now, let me explain you how Hindu religious scriptures assisted in the origin and development of performing arts, dance and music.


Hindu scriptures can be classified into two parts - Shruti (revealed) and Smriti The Vedas are compilation of hymns, which are intended as manuals for presiding priests, officiating priests and the priests who chant. There are four Vedas i.e. Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samveda and Atharvaveda. Samveda teaches us about the formula of singing all other Vedas. Gandharva Veda, an appendix to Samveda, was considered as the fifth Veda which had 36000 hymns. Its existence had been lost over the course of time. Lord Brahma was known as the composer of the fifth Veda - 'Gandharva Veda'.

It is believed that the sage Bharata had composed Natya Shastra on the basis of Gandharva Veda during the period 1st century BCE-3rd century CE. It is an ancient treatise on the performing arts, theatre, dance and music which has approx 6000 hymns. It is principally divided into four parts i.e. art of recitation, art of music, art of acting and Rasas (aesthetics).

The name of sage Bharata is derived from the three words i.e. Bhaav (mood) Raag (melodic framework) and Taal (rhythm). Bharata has mentioned in Natya Shastra that he gained knowledge about Natya Shastra from Lord Brahma.

Abhinavbharati is a sole commentary available on Natyashastra which was composed by Abhinavgupta during the period C.A 950-1020. Abhinavgupta was a yogi and a great Kashmiri Savite spiritual leader.

Abhinavbharati is divided into 36 chapters. It contains science of dynamic performance, the concept of imitation, three kinds of theatre buildings, causes of eight aesthetic sentiments - basic sentiments, erotic love, heroism, laughter, fear & wrath, wonder, gestures and transitory emotions. Moreover, it contains four kinds of expressions - bodily expressions, linguistic expressions, costumes/stage decorations and emotional expressions such as tears, change of facial expressions, trembling of lips and enhancing of tears. It has details about actor and actress of a play. Abhinavbharati not only influenced theatres and plays but it had also helped to develop various forms of dances, music, musical notes, musical scales, musical instruments and songs sung in the praise of God.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Vishal_Dogra