The Natyasastra deals with the rules relating to theatrical
performances, in fact to the science of stage. The science is
intended as a guide alike to the poet and the player. The author
of this work was Bharata, the sage. It is known as Sutra as it
embodies principles set out in a very concise form. The present
work consists of 36 chapters. Bharata divides the work broadly
into four sections based on abhinayas or modes of conveyance of
the theatrical pleasure, called rasa, is pure and differs from
the pleasure we derive from the actual contract with the objects
of the world which is always mingled with pain. These modes of
abhinaya are four: 1) Sattvika conveyed by the effort of mind,
2) Angika or the natural movement of the organs when any thought
is expressed of conveyed, 3) Vacika, the delivery through
expression and 4) Aharya, the dress, deportment, and mise-en-
scene. The sage attached great importance to the first of these
modes and deals with it in chapters 6 and 7. Expressions of
feeling is conveyed t