Consider the following statements:
1. The first formal mention of dance is found in Bharata Muni’s NatyaShastra.
2. Bharat Muni enunciated Rasa or nine moods in his Natyashastra.
3. Abhinavbharati is a supreme commentary on NatyaShastra.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The first formal mention of dance is found in Bharata Muni&rsquo;s NatyaShastra.
2. Bharat Muni enunciated Rasa or nine moods in his Natyashastra.
3. Abhinavbharati is a supreme commentary on NatyaShastra.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is correct:The first formal mention of dance is found in Bharata Muni&rsquo;s Natya Shastra, which is regarded as the earliest and most comprehensive treatise on Indian performing arts.It was composed between 200 BCE and the 2nd century CE.

Statement 2 is not correct: Bharata Muni originally enunciated only eight rasas (emotional states) in the Natya Shastra:
Śṛṅgāra (Love/Beauty)
Hāsya (Laughter/Comedy)
Karuna (Compassion/Pathos)
Raudra (Anger/Fury)
Vīra (Heroism/Valour)
Bhayānaka (Fear/Horror)
Bībhatsa (Disgust)
Adbhuta (Wonder/Astonishment)
The ninth rasa, Śānta (Peace/Tranquility), was later added by Abhinavagupta in the 11th century CE in his commentary Abhinavabhārati.

Statement 3 is correct: Abhinavabhārati is written by Abhinavagupta, a philosopher and scholar of the 11th century CE. It is a supreme commentary on Natyashastra.It provides interpretations of Bharata&rsquo;s work and elaborates on the theory of rasa (aesthetic emotion), making significant contributions to Indian aesthetics.

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M Question 1	⏱ 0
Consider the following statements: 1. The first formal mention of dance is found in Bharata Muni’s NatyaShastra. 2. Bharat Muni enunciated Rasa or nine moods in his Natyashastra. 3. Abhinavbharati is a supreme commentary on NatyaShastra. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Classical Dance Forms

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