A Historical and Cultural Study of the Natyasastra of Bharata/Anupa Pande. 1991, viii, 340 p., $21.
Contents: Preface. 1. The Natyasastra and its date. 2. Ancient Indian theatre as reflected in the Natyasastra. 3. Theory and practice of drama. 4. Geographical horizons and material culture. 5. Aspects of social life: structure, institutions and values. 6. Dance and the language of gestures. 7. Development of the musical system: Gandharva and Gana. 8. Musical system: elements and structure. 9. Theatrical music: Dhruva-gana. 10. Rhythm and time (Tala). 11. Musical instruments. 12. Concept of Rasa and the foundations of Indian aesthetics in Bharata. Bibliography. Index.
"The Natyasastra of Bharata is well-known as an encyclopaedic work on different aspects of the theatrical arts, dance, drama and music. Since the arts, especially the theatre, constitute a mirror of society, the Natyasastra is a rich source for social and cultural history, which has remained largely untapped so far. The present work is the result of painstaking and competent research and seeks to reconstruct the image of society and culture revealed by Bharata." (jacket)