Delve into the oldest text on performing arts

BANGALORE: In order to widen the knowledge base of performing artistes, Dr Pappu Venugopala Rao will conduct a workshop on Natyashastra from April 20 to 25. The six-day workshop will delve into the details of Bharata’s Natyasastra — the oldest treatise on performing arts with special reference to dance, drama and music. “The objective behind this workshop is to facilitate the younger generation of dancers to access the knowledge and tradition that is enshrined in 36 chapters of Natyashasthra. Dance academics do not take the student through all these chapters. Most deal with aangikam and touch upon a few other sections (maximum three) of the Natyashasthra. This treatise is the base upon which any dance tradition across the country evolved. It has no parallel in world literature, barring perhaps the Greek drama tradition,” said the veteran scholar who is an adept in both Sanskrit and Telugu literature.Since it is impossible to delve into the entire text, Pappu Venugopala Rao will present a power point presentation for two hours every session. These sessions will present the major components of each chapter to the one score dancers attending the workshop for six days at a stretch. It is indeed remarkable to find genuine scholars come forward to elucidate such ancient, mandatory texts of arts and widen the vistas of the present generation of artistes to perform with deep sense of respect and carry the tradition forward.