Hastalaksanadipika a critical edition and study

by E. K. Sudha | 2001 | 44,509 words

Summary: This is an English study on the Hastalaksanadipika—a manual depicting the Mudras (gestures) of the Kerala theatre. It is a very popular text in Kerala supposedly dating to the 10th century A.D. This study also touches the subject of Krsnanattam, Kathakali and Kutiyattam—some of India's oldest theatrical traditions in Kerala.

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Hastalaksanadipika a critical edition and study in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Warning! This document has not been proofread. However, for each page you can (and should) verify the text with the original source PDF file.

Preface

+ Chapter 1 - Introduction

. 1. Introduction (Sanskrit dramaturgy)

. 2. Indian traditional theatre: A study of its aesthetics and dynamics

. 3. Concept of Abhinaya in general

. 4. Nandikesvara and Balarama-varma—their views in relation to the Hastalaksanadipika

+ Chapter 2 - Bharata’s Dramaturgy

. 1. Introduction (Bharata’s Dramaturgy)

. 2. Antiquity of the Natyashastra

. 3. Rasas and Rasa theory

. 4. Plays and Play writing (in Sanskrit)