Concept:
The Natyashastra is the foundational encyclopedic treatise on the performing arts in India. It covers every aspect of the stage, from the architecture of the theatre to the minute movements of the eyes and limbs.
Step 1: Identifying the author and historical significance.
The Natyashastra is traditionally attributed to the sage Bharatmuni. While mythological accounts suggest that Lord Brahma created the "Natya Veda" (the fifth Veda), it was Bharatmuni who systematized this knowledge into the written text. The work is essential for understanding the theory of Rasa (aesthetic flavor) and Bhava (emotion), which remain the heart of Indian classical performance.