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
32 (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)
VAISIKA Vaiśika or expert in dealing with courtesans and his thirty characteristics, types of female emissaries and their qualifications are described. CITRĀBHINAYA Abhinaya of the seasons, General rules of abhinaya etc are described in chapters 28 to 33 deal with the siddhivyañjakas. Types of success of production, qualities of success, properties of music, use of melodies according to the rasa, dhruvāsongs, different types of string instruments etc. are described. PRAKṚTIVICARA The nature of heroes and heroines is described. BHUMIKAVIKALPA Distribution of notes to actors and actresses their physical feature etc are dealt with in this chapter. NATYAVATÁRA It describes the story of Nahuṣa inviting the sons of Bharata to the earth, descent of drama to the earth, origin of families of actors, the greatness of Natyaveda and final benediction. 64
