---
title: "Natya Shastra: Bharata's Treatise on Drama | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Natya Shastra is Bharata Muni's Sanskrit treatise on drama, dance, and music, source of rasa theory. Key UPSC GS1 art-and-culture text explained."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/natya-shastra"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Natya Shastra is an ancient Sanskrit treatise attributed to Bharata Muni that codifies the theory and practice of drama, dance, music, and aesthetics in Indian performing arts.
- Who composed the Natya Shastra and when?
- What is the rasa theory in the Natya Shastra?
- How does the Natya Shastra differ from the Abhinaya Darpana?
- Why is the Natya Shastra relevant to the UPSC examination?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In 1953, the Government of India established the Sangeet Natak Akademi, which invokes the Natya Shastra's authority when conferring classical status on dance forms such as Bharatanatyam and Odissi.

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