NatyaShastra(Part 4) -- Bharata Muni

Carving showing Bharata Muni

Statue of Bharata Muni

So much is talked about Natya Shastra, it is but fair to spare few minutes on the author of this text. It is safe to tell that the stem of almost all the South East Asian dance form is heavily influenced by Indian culture and basics of the science of the Dance and Drama. The principles of aesthetical and gesture language in this text have been the main inspiration for all dancers and actors in India. Bharata Muni is said to be the author this ancient text on Dance, Drama and Music. Bharata Muni was an ancient theatrologist who complied the entire knowledge under one single cover around the 3rd century BCE and 1st century CE. While this primarily deals with art of stagecraft, its influence on Music, Drama and Dance is unparallel. This is perhaps the only text that talks in details about the entire science and art along with its practical approach on make up and stage decor. This book is written in such detail that many believe that it could not have been completed in one life time by a single human. Many believe that Bharat Muni started writing this book and many editions were made later on by his disciples and sons. There are quite a few who believe that Bharata Muni is not the name of a single person, its the name of a post like that of the head master or principal. All these assumptions are only because of the extensive detailing in the book.

There is no doubt that all the Indian classical dance forms of India are heavily influenced by Bharata's Natya Shastra. Folk dances are not an exceptions. For Example the Kandiyan dance (Kandy is one of the hilly regions of central Lanka) of SriLanka have some twirls and whirls and spins that are mentioned in Natya Shastra. Despite the influence of different religions and culture, the oceanic wave that have swept the Subcontinent through centuries, the Indian dance forms did succeed in preserving their ancient roots.

Khon Mask of Thailand

Beyond India : It is unknown to many of us that Bharat's mask still finds its place in Cambodian museum. He is known as the "Khru Muni" which means "Guru Muni" , "Phrot Rishi" meaning "Bharata Rishi" and " Lok Tha Eisei " which means "The wise old man". With these names he is worshiped by the Artist on every Thursdays in both Cambodia and Thailand. Both these countries have preserved various ancient statues of Bharata Muni in their museum. It is a common practice to keep the "Mask of Bharata Muni" on stage (just like we keep Nataraja or any other deity) during our performance. Even today "Wai Khru" festival is observed through out Thailand to offer respect to the teachers. Khon masks representing the Gods and teachers of music Bharata Muni, Vishvakarman,Pancasikha, Biraba and Pragondharrba are usually displayed.

Author's Wish : Bharata Muni has always managed to make me very curious. When I was told about Natya Shastra and its contains at a very early age (when I was 5 or 6 years), the little girl in me always wanted to travel back in time and see how Dance was performed back in those days. Number of questions including how can Dance, Drama and Music be mastered by one single person cropped up in my mind.Over the years many of these questions were answered , But the most important question still remains how Bharata Muni actually managed to compile all these under one cover especially in a period where Sruti and Smriti was the norm. It has been my personal wish to start the tradition of keeping Bharat's mask beside the statue of Nataraja during my performances. In future if ever I get an opportunity, it is my dearest wish to built a temple in his name where Artists from across the world can come and pay respect to this amazing mortal whose deeds have made him immortal.

Advice : In case anyone is visiting Combodia, do visit the state museum beside Angkor Temples.

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