Performing Artistes in Ancient India

Contents Foreword v Preface vii Abbreviations xv List of Illustrations xvii 1 Genesis of Indian Theatre 1 2 Actors and Their Contribution to Theatre in Ancient India 9 Sailusa 17 Sailalin 19 Sobhanika and Granthika 21 Mankha 24 Kusilava 31 Nata 34 Bharata 49 Actors of noble birth 50 Natacarya or Natyacarya 54 3 Actresses and their Contribution to Theatre in Ancient India 63 Professional Actress 67 Professional Actress from Royal Harem (Antahpura) 88 Courtesan Actress 97 Apsarases: The Celestial Dancers 112 Role and Functions of Apsarases and Courtesans 114 Art of female Theatre Artistes as Reflected 119 in the Depiction of the Art of Apsarases Female Performing Artistes in the Form of Devadasis 125 Origin of Devadasi System 125 History and Contributions of Devadasi to Theatrical Art 127 Female Performing Artistes of Noble Birth 133 Stri-preksa 136 4 Dramatic Troupes, Abhinaya, Stage and Auditorium 148 Dramatic Troupes 143 Member of the Troupe 143 Sutradhara 144 Pariparsvika 144 Bharata 145 Vidusaka 145 Tauripa 147 Kusilava 148 Nata 148 Natakiya 149 Play-wright 149 Backstage Workers 152 Mukutakara – Abharanakrta – Malyakrta – Vesakara – Citrakara – Rajaka - Karuka Inter-troupe Rivalry 160 Travelling Troupes 161 History of Troupes 163 ABHINAYA OR HISTRIONIC EXPRESSION 165 Sattvika Abhinaya 167 Angika Abhinaya 169 Mukhaja Abhinaya 170 Sarira Abhinaya 173 Cestakrta 176 Vacika Abhinaya 178 Sanskrit Pathya or Speech in Sanskrit 179 Prakrt Pathya or Speech in Prakrt 179 Samanyabhinaya or General Expression Pertaining 182 to Voice and Speech Citrabhinaya or Particular Expression Pertaining 182 to Voice and Speech Aharyabhinaya or expression through make-up and costume 183 Bharata as a prayokta: A Review of the Acting Style Known from Natyasastra 183 STAGE AND AUDITORIUM 187 Open air Theatre 187 Cave Theatre 189 Pavilion or Mandapa type of Theatre 197 5 Social and Economic Status of Performing Artistes 205 Reasons 211 Glimpses of the Everyday Life of Performing Artistes 219 Regular Exercise 220 Good Diet 220 Physical Charm 220 Bhrukumsa 221 Close Relationship Among Performing Artistes 222 Habit of Drinking 222 Rehearsals of the Plays 223 Economic Status 223 Appendix – I : Spectators 233 Darsaka 236 Preksaka 236 Daiviki Siddhi 237 Manusi Siddhi 237 Prasnika 238 Mass and Class 239 Seating Arrangement 242 Appendix – II : Story of the Origin of Drama Narrated in Natyasastra 247 Plates 251 Bibliography 271 Glossary 285 Index 287