MUSIC Ragas
No scholar has done better justice to the complex subject of Indian culture than the sage Bharata who wrote one of the best and the most important seminal treatise on the nature and form of Indian Arts called Natyashashtra. Considering it was written in the 1st century A.D., Bharata’s accomplishment is all the more astounding.
Classified into 37 simple chapters comprising 6000 Sanskrit couplets, this standard text has become the “Bible” of artistes and performers down the ages, and is highly relevant even today. In fact, so quintessential is the aesthetic theory of the Natyashashtra that no performance in music, dance, drama or any other branch of arts and histrionics can claim to be “classic” without adhering to its basic tenets.
Sanskruti is an attempt to offer a contemporary interpretation of Indian Culture, in the light of the Natyashashtra. “Tis as if a few pearls of wisdom have been rescued from the depths of the ocean for us to marvel at again.”
The English language version presented in the CD-ROM format, is intended at the emerging new global audience. It boasts of a well-written commentary, spoken in the deep, rich baritone of Partap Sharma, one of India’s most celebrated voices. The original Hindustani version is available in the VCD format. Other than individual viewers, these two versions of Sanbskruti are intended for various audience segments within India and abroad, including performing art institutions, schools, colleges, university departments and such.