Introduction

Natyashastra is the first text of humanity that details the classic on dramatics and aesthetics. The Sanskrit scholars regard Natyashastra as an additional Ved and is a compendium of performing arts, drama, music, dance, and fine arts. Natyashashastra is written by sage Bharat Muni. According to Bharata Muni, Natyashastra imitates the conduct of the world. Natyashastra is the instrument of instruction for the world in addition to entertainment and pleasure. 

 

Bharata calls the human soul Bhava-Jagat (the world of emotions). Bharata explains how Art of theatre universalizes emotions making them an instrument of appeal to the spectators. Bharata explains in Natyashastra that the actor acts as the bearer, media, and connector of emotions of the character played. By conveying emotions the actor step by step opens the inner world of emotions (Bhava-Jagat). This creates an emotional atmosphere, which can be felt and relished by the spectator and these emotions are called Rasa.

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According to the Natyashastra, the goals of theatre are to empower aesthetic experience and deliver emotional Rasa. Bharata Muni enunciated the eight Rasas in the Natyasastra, an ancient Sanskrit text of dramatic theory and other performance arts. Here are the 8 types of Rasas described in Natyashastra.

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• Sringaar (शृङ्गारः): Romance, Love, attractiveness. Presiding deity: Vishnu. Colour: light green

• Hasyam (हास्यं): Laughter, mirth, comedy. Presiding deity: Shiva. Colour: white

• Raudram (रौद्रं): Fury. Presiding deity: Shiva. Colour: red

• Karunyam (कारुण्यं): Compassion, mercy. Presiding deity: Yama. Colour: grey

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• Bibhatsam (बीभत्सं): Disgust, aversion. Presiding deity: Shiva. Colour: blue

• Bhayanakam (भयानकं): Horror, terror. Presiding deity: Yama. Colour: black

• Veeram (वीरं): Heroism. Presiding deity: Indra. Colour: saffron

• Adbhutam (अद्भुतं): Wonder, amazement. Presiding deity: Brahma. Colour: yellow

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About Natya Shastra

The earliest known treatise on the performing arts is the Sanskrit classic “Natya Shastra,” written by the sage Bharata Muni. It is effectively a handbook for dance and theatre and details the techniques of dramatic expression.

 

The text consists of 36 chapters with a cumulative total of 6000 poetic verses describing performance arts. It is believed that the format used in Natya Shastra is at least 3,000 years old.

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Historical facts

The statue was recovered in an excavation from the 'HR area' of Mohenjo-Daro, Indus Valley civilization (6000 years ago). It is suggestive of two major breaks-through, one, that the Indus artists knew metal blending and casting and perhaps other technical aspects of metallurgy, and two, that a well-developed society Indus people had “Innovated Dance” and other performing arts as modes of entertainment.

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Goals and Objectives

The core objective of the eYogi Drama School (Natya Gurkul) is to impart profound training in theatre. eYogi Natya Gurukul will consist of thousands of years of the Natya or the Dramatic arts heritage of India.

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Acting

Actor's training comprises yoga, dance, movements, music, and concentration. The object is to make the student aware of the functioning of the body and mind, thereby gaining control of it with a sense of tempo and rhythm. Awareness and exercises in music will lead to better voice and breathe control. Acting includes: Monologue, recitation of poems, reading short stories, developing speech skills will be part of this.

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• Classical Indian Drama: It consists of the origin of drama and Natya Shastra.

  • Basic Level:

    • Brief knowledge about the chapters of Natya Shastra.

  • Advance Level:

    • Further study of different types of acting based on Natya Shastra.

    • Importance and analysis of Sutradhaar, Vidushak, Chitrabhinay, and Satwikabhinay in Sanskrit drama.

    • Introduction to Sanskrit plays of Kalidas, Shudrak, Bodhayan, etc. Introduction to various other regional language and cultural plays.

• Modern Indian Drama: This includes the development of Indian drama from Bhartendu to modern times. This consists of the folk drama of various states of India like Nautanki, Ram Leela, Shasthartha, etc.

• Western Drama: It consists of creating a fusion between Indian and Western dramas.

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Direction:

This includes the production process with practices to manage various dramatic events: developing knowledge and practical experience of the production process and practical work.

 

Stage Craft:

• Costume designing for the performances - Style, Medium, and Material.

• Set designing: Set execution, stage lighting, etc.

• The present form of modern Indian set design.

• Study of modern Indian theatre architecture in comparison to a global perspective.

• Video recording with the Videography team and publication.

 

Students

• All interested students of eYogi Gurukul

• All members of the community that are interested in this program

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Target

• At least one activity per quarter published on Youtube/Facebook and Whatsapp and performances in eYogi Events

• Develop in-house courses, lectures, classes about India's 10,000 years plus history of Dramatic arts

• Support eYogi Gurukul Events with required plays and events

• Build a team of 5-10 over the next 1-3 years

 

Support Infrastructure

• Any literature books and courses will be supplied and funded by eYogi Gurukul Charity

• Dramagears, clothes, etc. will be supplied by eYogi Gurukul charity.

• The eYogi Gurukul organization will provide full financial and other support to the team.

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