Celebrating Natyashastra: A Cultural Dialogue at UNESCO Session
On December 13th, in New Delhi, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) hosted an academic program titled ‘Natyashastra – Synthesis of Theory and Praxis’ during the 20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at the historic Red Fort. The session was chaired by the esteemed Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Sonal Mansingh, a renowned scholar and former member of the Rajya Sabha.
This engaging program united prominent scholars and leaders from various institutions, including Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary at IGNCA; Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi; Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director of the National School of Drama; Prof. Sudhir Kumar Lall, Head of Kalakosa at IGNCA; and Dr. Yogesh Sharma, Associate Professor at Kalakosa, IGNCA. The discussions revolved around the ‘Natyashastra’, emphasizing its role as a dynamic knowledge system that fuses theory and practice within India’s rich performing arts heritage.
Enduring Relevance of Natyashastra
During her address, Dr. Sonal Mansingh articulated the timeless universality of the Natyashastra, stressing its relevance throughout various cultures and eras. She highlighted how the text continues to influence contemporary artistic practices and cultural dialogues.
Insights from Distinguished Scholars
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi described the Natyashastra as an ongoing intellectual continuum. He stressed its dialogic nature, encouraging continual reinterpretation and innovation, and showcased its significance as a living knowledge system blending theory and performance.
Dr. Sandhya Purecha offered an insightful overview of the Natyashastra, pointing out its structured framework, philosophical depth, and its vast impact across India’s artistic traditions. Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy discussed the interplay between contemporary theatre and the Natyashastra, explaining how classical principles continue to shape modern performances and educational practices.
Further enriching the dialogue, Prof. Sudhir Kumar Lall noted that the Natyashastra provides a holistic vision of the arts, connecting drama, dance, and music within a metaphysical context that reflects human experiences. He observed that its vitality lies in harmonizing thought with action, where abstract concepts manifest through performance.
Dr. Yogesh Sharma expanded on the Natyangas, detailing the key elements that drive artistic expression in Indian arts. He illustrated how these elements create a profound emotional impact and coherence in performances, underscoring the Natyashastra’s relevance as both an analytical framework and a creative guide.
A Call for Continued Engagement
The event concluded with thought-provoking reflections from the speakers about the importance of engaging with classical knowledge systems. The program reaffirmed the Natyashastra as a pivotal resource bridging traditional and modern artistic expressions. The gathering attracted cultural enthusiasts, scholars, and practitioners, all eager to deepen their understanding of the enduring significance of India’s classical performing arts.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn
