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Comparison Between Natyashastra and Poetics)

I am Sabrina Moktar Arju, Student of Department of English,session-2019-20 Faculty of Arts and Social Science Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).

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5K views3 pages

Comparison Between Natyashastra and Poetics)

I am Sabrina Moktar Arju, Student of Department of English,session-2019-20 Faculty of Arts and Social Science Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).

Uploaded by

choton noton potoner ma
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MST SABRINA MOKTAR ARJU

ID: 2015931049
Department of English,session-2019-20
Faculty of Arts and Social Science
Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP)
Mirpur-1216

Compare and contrast between the contents of Poetics and


Natyashastra.

Natyashastra by Bharata Muni is a detailed treatise on dramatic art that deals with all aspects of
classical Sanskrit theatre. It contains detailed treatments of all the different arts that are organized
in the classical Indian concept of the drama, including dance, music, poetics, and
general aesthetics. Aristotle’s Poetics is one of the greatest piece of literary works on dramatic
theory and first philosophical treatise to focus on literary theory in the western world.Though there
are lots of similarities and dissimilarities between them,they are invaluable resource of
literature.Natyashastra and Poetics can be compared and contrasted on the basis of beginning,plot
,characters, ideas etc . Here is an attempt to compare the Poetics and Natyasastra as critical
texts and assess their similarities and differences: -

 The Greek tradition to which Aristotle belonged is largely based on tragedy . Natyashastra
hardly has any tragedy in the technical sense of the term.According to Aristotle, comedy
is a cheap art.In contrast , Natyashatra is based on Indian theory of karma .Both Aristotle
and Bharata Muni are the pioneers of dramatics in ancient Greece and India.

 In Poetics,the theme of the Greek plays deal with sacrifice of their own children,adultery,
murder particide and so on .On the other hand, Natyashastra abounds in passion, romance
,exploits of god and goddesses, infatuations, sin ,sorrow,separation etc.

 In Poetics ,Aristotle described that plot is the soul of tragedy.But Bharata Muni told that
rasa is the soul of drama .He has also given importance on plot.Aristotle has classified plot
into simple and complex. Bharata mentions eight rasas and the presence of the ninth is
debated. They are :1. sringara, 2. hasya-humorous, 3. karuna-tragic/pathetic, 4. raudra-
furious/cruel /impetuous anger, 5. vira-heroic, 6. bhayanak - terrific or fearsome, 7.
bibhatsa-loathsome, awkward or gruesome, 8. adbhuta-unnatural or peculiar. The ninth
rasa, santa – poise / peace which is mentioned in certain ancient critical texts seems to be
an interpolation.

 According to Aristotle,the beginning of the tragedy should be a chorus (parode,


stasimon,commos).In contrast, there are Sutradhara in sanskrit drama, while in Greek
drama there is no one like Sutradhara.

 According to Aristotle, the common principal of all arts is imitation.Imitation of inner


reality,the essence ,passion and mood of the inner being of human.Bharata Muni has
explaind about how to imitate the action on stage about which Aristotle said nothing.

 The main parts of a tragedy are prologue, episode, exode and choral song.The episode in
Greek play and acts in Sanskrit play are much closer.The exode which is the last scene of
Greek drama is absent in Indian drama.but there is phalayoga which can be compared with
exode.

 The most striking similarity in The Poetics and Natyasastra is when both the authors try to
derive the effect of drama on the audience. Aristotle uses the term catharsis in this
connection which may mean purgation, purification, synthesis or illumination. Bharata
uses the term rasa to describe the effect of drama on the audience which may be of four
types – (i) rasa as utpatti (production), (ii) rasa as anumiti (inference), (iii) rasa as bhoga
(enjoyment), and (iv) rasa as abhivyakti (manifestation). Both the terms, catharsis and rasa
are not explained or defined by the authors which accounts for their multiple
interpretations.Both follow a formulaic mode – the sutra form, providing hints but no
description. Catharsis and rasasutra is a formula to describe the effect of drama on the
audience.

 In poetics, we can see some rules for tragic poet and how should be a tragic hero whereas
Natyashastra gives the direction about heroine and minor charecters also .

 Natyashastra has 36 chapters and 6000 poetic verses.On the other hand,Poetics has not
particular chapters or verses like Natyashastra .

Summing up, drama as a genre occupies an important place both in Western and
Eastern literature. Aristotle’s Poetics and Bharata’s Natyasastra are two monumental works
which analyses the essentials of drama from different perspectives.Poetics explores mainly
the aspects of tragic drama and its effect on the audience. In Natyasastra, the author
describes the Indian tradition of drama and its technicalities and how it influences the
audience. Both The Poetics and Natyashastra are treatises on drama and works mark the
origin of the technique and form of drama.

THE END

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