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| Most Indian dances are based on the treatise Natyashastra by the sage Bharata Muni, which explains the Indian art of acting. Acting or Natya is a broad concept which encompasses both drama and dance. The Natya Shastra was written by the sage “Bharata Muni” who, it is claimed, was directly inspired by the Lord Brahma. The Natya Shastra is incredibly wide in its scope. It consists of minutely detailed precepts for both playwrights and actors. Bharata describes 15 types of drama ranging from one to ten acts. In addition, he lays down principles for stage design, makeup, costume, dance (various movements and gestures), a theory of aesthetics (rasas and bhavas), acting, directing and music, each in individual chapter.
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