The Sanskrit drama : $b in its origin, development, theory and practice

A thorough and readable guide explores the birth and growth of Sanskrit drama, tracing its roots from early Buddhist verses to the flourishing of the great classical playwrights. Drawing on recent discoveries of works by Aśvaghoṣa and Bhāsa, the author weaves together fresh scholarship with the foundational studies of Lévi, Jacobi, and others, offering listeners a clear picture of how Indian theatre emerged and why its theoretical underpinnings have long been overlooked.

The narrative stays focused on the most influential texts and dramatists before the first millennium, while also highlighting a handful of later pieces that illustrate the tradition’s endurance. By presenting key ideas from the Nāṭyaśāstra and related treatises in straightforward prose, the book makes complex concepts of poetics, performance, and stagecraft accessible without sacrificing depth. Listeners will come away with a solid grounding in the artistic principles and historical context that shaped one of the world’s oldest theatrical heritages.