Essay name: Hastalaksanadipika a critical edition and study
Author:
E. K. Sudha
Affiliation: Government Sanskrit College (Tripunithura) / Department of Sanskrit
This is an English study on the Hastalaksanadipika—a manual depicting the Mudras (gestures) of the Kerala theatre. It is a very popular text supposedly dating to the 10th century A.D. This study also touches the subject of Krsnanattam, Kathakali and Kutiyattam—some of India's oldest theatrical traditions in Kerala.
Chapter 2 - Bharata’s Dramaturgy
22 (of 56)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
"We would like to have a pastime which is at once visible and audible. The conventional Vedas could not be spoken within the earshot of the Sūdras. Hence kindly evolve a fifth Veda which could be of benefit to all castes.� 54 This they called as the Natyaveda. Trace of modern theories of
socialism could be seen here. It is specifically mentioned that the Sūdras
who are not allowed to recite the Vedas should also get the benefit of
the Natyaveda. The universal acceptance of the Natyaveda irrespective
of caste and creed is implied here. It is also suggested that the Natyaveda
may be audio-visual. Audio-visual method is proved now-a-days as the
best media of communication. Modern technology fully depends on this,
for effective communication in different fields. But this is not a novel
idea as far as the Indians are concerned. Bharata realised its importance
centuries back and he applied it in his theatre also.
Approaching the creator himself for the modification of his
creation is quite logical. It was the end of Treta Yuga which faced a set
back in the values. There arose a need to uplift culture and civilization.
Indra and the dikpälakas are the symbolic representation of the people
who yearn for the welfare of the society. Indra means. He is
the leader of the group. Indra is the one who has control over sense or-
gans. Such a man only can lead a group. Here, appointing Indra as the
leader is a typical symbolism. Such a group of people will always be
there whenever they are needed, to lead the society through moral path.
