A so-called Convention of the Hindu Drama
By Mano Mohan Ghosh
Summary
The article challenges the common misconception that the *Bharata-Natyasastra (NS)* prohibited death-scenes on stage, tracing the error to early Sanskrit scholars like M. Ganapati Sastri and Prof. A. C. Keith, who incorrectly attributed such a rule to the *NS* based on the *Sahitya-darpana (SD)*. The *NS* explicitly describes death as one of the *vyabhicari-bhavas* (incidental emotions) and provides detailed instructions for depicting it, including death from wounds, poisoning, or accidents (Chapters VI.85, VII.35-80, and XXVI.96-107). Chapter XX of the *NS* further clarifies that while death-scenes are permissible in certain *Rupakas* (like *Ihampga*), they should not occur in *Nataka* or *Prakarana* where the hero is present. The *Dasarupa* largely aligns with the *NS*, permitting death-scenes in specific contexts. The confusion arose from misinterpreting the *SD* and misapplying rules from *Nataka* to all Indian dramas. The article emphasizes that neither the *NS* nor the *Dasarupa* enforces a blanket ban on death-scenes, correcting historical inaccuracies in Sanskrit scholarship.
Conclusion
This study challenges the long-held belief that the *Bharata-Natyasastra* prohibited death-scenes and tragedy in Hindu drama, demonstrating that the text explicitly permits and even elaborates on the depiction of death through detailed stage directions and thematic enumerations. By tracing the misconception to early Sanskrit scholarship—particularly the *Sahitya-darpana*'s narrow focus on *Nataka* and its misinterpretation by scholars like Wilson—the analysis corrects a historical inaccuracy that has skewed understanding of Indian dramatic traditions. The findings underscore the importance of re-examining foundational texts and contextualizing scholarly interpretations, revealing the *NS*'s nuanced approach to dramatic representation and its allowance for death-scenes within specific frameworks, thereby reshaping modern perceptions of classical Indian theatre.