Natyasastram - 2 Volumes Set - Sanskrit - English | by Bharata Muni, Manomohan Ghosh/ Dance Book

"Step into the everlasting world of Indian performing arts with this amazing two-volume collection, Natyasastram. This special work connects dance, drama, and spiritual expression."

• Introduction to the book: 

Natyasastram is one of the most important writings in Indian culture and is often called the natyaveda, which means the knowledge of performing arts. This two-volume edition comes in Sanskrit and has an English translation. It looks at every part of performance, including acting, dance, music, stage techniques, and theories about drama. 

As a crucial dance book, it offers a deep understanding of the cultural and spiritual origins of Indian theatre and is respected as a complete guide to artistic practices. By mixing traditional advice with hands-on methods, the Natyasastra is the top resource for understanding natya sastra and dramatic theory, helping both students and artists in the fine arts. 

• Story about the book Natyasastram: 

The Natyasastram, often called the fifth Veda or Natyaveda, is one of the most powerful and detailed texts about performing arts in Indian culture. Written by the sage Bharata Muni, this significant work is not just a guide to theatre, but a deep book that combines philosophy, spirituality, beauty, and the technical aspects of performance. It provides the base for Indian classical dance, drama, and music, influencing artistic traditions for more than two thousand years. 

This dramatic theory, written in Sanskrit, has thirty-six chapters and explores all parts of performance. It talks about designing stages, building theatres, creating characters, acting rules, makeup, costumes, and using props. It does more than teach techniques; it offers a deep look at human feelings, gestures, and expressions through the famous rasa theory, which involves the different flavors of art. The idea of rasas—such as love, laughter, kindness, anger, bravery, fear, disgust, and awe—captures the heart of Indian artistic expression. This makes the Natyasastra not just a dance book, but also a source of psychology and philosophy. 

Bharata sees art as a spiritual activity, given to people by Brahma to educate, entertain, and enlighten. Therefore, performance is not just a show; it is a way to elevate the mind and spirit, connecting the divine and the human. The Natyasastram teaches mudras (hand signs), abhinaya (expressions), gati (movement), and rhythm patterns that remain central to Indian classical dance styles like Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and others. It also gives advice on musical notes, rhythms, and instruments, linking theatre and music. 

Besides its artistic aspects, the Natyasastram acts like a cultural encyclopedia. It shows ancient Indian life—including its ceremonies, festivals, morals, and values—through the art of performance. This makes it not only a useful dramatic theory for artists but also a historical record that keeps the spirit of Indian civilization alive. 

The English translation of this classic text by Manomohan Ghosh has made its wisdom available to modern readers. His work ensures that scholars, artists, and fans around the world can enjoy Bharata’s deep thoughts in a way that speaks to today’s audiences while preserving the original feel of the text. 

The Natyasastram is still explored not only by dancers and actors but also by thinkers, psychologists, historians, and people studying culture. It combines detailed techniques with deep philosophical ideas, which helps it stay important through the ages, crossing different cultures and places. 

In short, the Natyasastram is more than just a dance book—it is a living tradition and a classic guide for storytelling, acting, and self-expression. Its core teaching is that art reflects life, showing our feelings, and is a special gift meant to motivate, inform, and uplift people. 

• Story about the authors: 

Bharata Muni – The Wise One of the Natyasastra 

Bharata Muni is honored as the legendary wise man who wrote the Natyasastra, often called the Natyaveda or the fifth Veda of India. Old traditions say Bharata was a divine seer chosen by the gods to share the art of drama, dance, and music with people as a sacred type of knowledge. 

According to ancient stories, when people started to lose their good ways, the gods asked Brahma, the creator, for a way to both teach and entertain everyone. Brahma created the Natyaveda, using knowledge from the Rig Veda for recitation, the Sama Veda for music, the Yajur Veda for gestures, and the Atharva Veda for feelings. This holy knowledge was given to Bharata, who expanded it into the Natyasastra so it could be understood by people. 

Bharata is seen as not only a sage but also a teacher, guiding his hundred sons in the performing arts, who then shared his lessons through plays. His understanding included how people feel, the details of performing, and the strength of storytelling, making him the first big thinker in drama and aesthetics. The Natyasastra shows his complete vision—where art acts as both a reflection of human existence and a spiritual tool for gaining higher understanding. 

Over many years, Bharata Muni's work became the foundation of Indian performing arts, inspiring classical dance styles, traditional theater, and musical pieces. His teachings about rasa (artistic essence) and abhinaya (expression) are still practiced and respected today, keeping his legacy alive as the father of Indian drama. 

Manomohan Ghosh – The New Translator and Scholar 

Manomohan Ghosh (1897–1983) was a notable Indian expert in Sanskrit and Indology, known for his commitment to making classic texts understandable for modern readers. He studied in India and abroad, focusing on Sanskrit literature, drama, and aesthetics. His translation of the Natyasastra into English is seen as one of the best versions, connecting the old Sanskrit with today's scholars. 

Ghosh's translation, in two volumes, maintains the technical accuracy of Bharata's original work while making it clear and easy to read for researchers, students, and artists everywhere. His careful scholarship makes sure that the detailed ideas of drama, dance, music, and aesthetics are not lost in translation, making the Natyasastra easier for those who do not know Sanskrit. 
Beyond his work in translations, Ghosh earned a lot of respect in academic circles for studying Indian art and for sharing traditional Indian knowledge with people all over the world. His efforts show how contemporary scholars have played a key role in keeping old texts alive and relevant today. 

Legacy of Both Authors 

Bharata Muni and Manomohan Ghosh symbolize two points on an unbroken string: the ancient sage who received sacred knowledge and organized the performing arts, and the modern scholar who made this wisdom clear to today's audiences. Bharata provided the deep ideas and principles of performance, while Ghosh made sure that these insights could be learned, practiced, and celebrated worldwide. 

• Why should you use or read the book? 

This two-book set is a must-have for dancers, actors, musicians, and anyone researching the beginnings of Indian performing arts. It's not just about dance; it also serves as an important guide on performance theory, cultural history, and the philosophy of beauty. 

Whether you are studying Natya Sastra, researching Natyaveda, or an artist looking to enhance your skills, this text contains timeless wisdom that continues to influence many generations. 

"Order now and get the classic Natyasastram, a two-volume book about dance that reveals the secrets of natya sastra and performance theory—an everlasting guide from Bharata Muni’s sacred natyaveda!"