This article assesses the topic of theatrical performances and sculpture in medieval India throug... more This article assesses the topic of theatrical performances and sculpture in medieval India through an analysis of the relationship between narrative sculptures, literary works of poetry (kāvya), and theatrical performances, as these are described in the manuals on dance/theatre (nāṭya), such as the Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharata, with the commentary Abhinavabhāratī by Abhinavagupta, Saṅgītaratnākara, and Nṛttaratnāvalī. The sculptures included in this study are found in four temples built by the Hoysaḷa dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries and represent the story of "Arjuna and the Hunter (kirāta)", told in the Mahābhārata and in later literary works that were well-known in the courts of South India, including the Hoysaḷa court. After providing a detailed description of the sculptures based on the śilpa and nāṭya śāstras (treatises on sculpture and theatre), the study suggests that the sculptors carving these images adopted the technical language of nāṭya according to its theatrical usage (viniyoga), as an instrument to convey specific meanings and to express the emotions (bhāvas and rasas) evoked in the story, in both dancing and nondancing figures.
This seminar is a journey into the body disciplines of ancient India-yoga, dance, theatre-and the... more This seminar is a journey into the body disciplines of ancient India-yoga, dance, theatre-and their relationship with the Hindu temple. During the course, we will make use of textual, epigraphical and visual materials to investigate the role of the ancient Hindu temple as the space where these practices were performed and also represented in the temple sculptures. We will explore the theoretical foundations behind the "moving body" of yoga, dance and theatre with a special focus on the concepts of āsana, mudrā, nāṭya, abhinaya and rasa and we will discuss the form and the function of their representations in the temple sculptures. The seminar will feature a wide range of visual material. A series of guest speakers will contribute to the teaching.
This article assesses the topic of theatrical performances and sculpture in medieval India throug... more This article assesses the topic of theatrical performances and sculpture in medieval India through an analysis of the relationship between narrative sculptures, literary works of poetry (kāvya), and theatrical performances, as these are described in the manuals on dance/theatre (nāṭya), such as the Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharata, with the commentary Abhinavabhāratī by Abhinavagupta, Saṅgītaratnākara, and Nṛttaratnāvalī. The sculptures included in this study are found in four temples built by the Hoysaḷa dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries and represent the story of "Arjuna and the Hunter (kirāta)", told in the Mahābhārata and in later literary works that were well-known in the courts of South India, including the Hoysaḷa court. After providing a detailed description of the sculptures based on the śilpa and nāṭya śāstras (treatises on sculpture and theatre), the study suggests that the sculptors carving these images adopted the technical language of nāṭya according to its theatrical usage (viniyoga), as an instrument to convey specific meanings and to express the emotions (bhāvas and rasas) evoked in the story, in both dancing and nondancing figures.
This seminar is a journey into the body disciplines of ancient India-yoga, dance, theatre-and the... more This seminar is a journey into the body disciplines of ancient India-yoga, dance, theatre-and their relationship with the Hindu temple. During the course, we will make use of textual, epigraphical and visual materials to investigate the role of the ancient Hindu temple as the space where these practices were performed and also represented in the temple sculptures. We will explore the theoretical foundations behind the "moving body" of yoga, dance and theatre with a special focus on the concepts of āsana, mudrā, nāṭya, abhinaya and rasa and we will discuss the form and the function of their representations in the temple sculptures. The seminar will feature a wide range of visual material. A series of guest speakers will contribute to the teaching.
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