NAATYAACHAARYA V.P.DHANANJAYAN's proposed new project for the benefit of the future generations to come:

NAVA BHARATAM: A New Treatise of Naatya (Indian Classical Theatre)
The title of the book will be changed.

Copyright Statement
All ideas and materials described in this document are the property of the author, V.P.Dhananjayan. These materials are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce or retransmit the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of V.P.Dhananjayan.

Background
Naatyasaastra is the most important text of dramaturgy that India has ever produced. Written between 500 BC to 300 AD by Sage Bharatha, it serves as a comprehensive guide, extensively covering all aspects of theatre. Though the title literally means 'Science of Theatre', the Naatyasaastra contains the fundamental facts about all our art forms. In 6,000 Sanskrit 'slokas' under 36 chapters, Natyasastra covers all aspects of theatre and other art forms, beginning with origin of theatre, acting, costuming, make-up, properties, dance, music, poetic composition, play construction, grammar, audiences, rituals, and the architecture of theatre.[1]

Since it was originally written there has been no concerted effort to update this treatise with the advances made in the past 20 centuries. While scholars and artistes have made commentaries and translated the text into other languages, they have so far been reluctant to add to these ancient scriptures and to extend the theories to include insights of later generations. Since the ancient texts, there has been systematic evolutionary changes in practice and theory, which have to be recorded in concrete forms and other long lasting methodology. (Like rock cut sculptures, browns statues, photo album in book form, digital recordings etc.

Vision
V.P.Dhananjayan is producing Nava Bharatam, a new multimedia project to document advances, innovations and additions made to all aspects of Naatya (Classical theatre), with a particular emphasis on contemporary Bharata Natyam. This is intended as the sequel to the Natyasastra which will provide a more complete history of Indian Classical Theater as it has evolved till today, using the following types of media:

Text: New vocabulary in Samskritam (Sanskrit), written by scholars in the poetic meter of the original Natyasastra and translated into modern languages.
Photography: Professional images of all the new hand gestures, postures, poses and movements. This will include the gestural vocabulary developed to represent modern subjects such as cars, airplanes, computers and cell phones.
Visual Artworks: Line drawings and paintings by leading artists.
Videos: Professional quality videos of prominent dancers demonstrating their varieties of styles.
Sculpture: Sculptures of nearly 500 body postures (karanas) that have been developed since the original 108 described in the Natyasastra. These will be carved in granite and installed in selected sites by traditional sculptors.

These media types will be assembled in the following ways:
Reference Book: Includes the text, photos and illustrations. Web site & DVD: Includes text, photos, illustrations and videos in a searchable and interactive format. Site-specific installations of granite sculptures in places such as Kalakshetra, Bhaaskara and Dakshinachitra. Construction of a new museum space for display if proper funding available. .

Next Steps & Ideas FINDING FUNDING RESOURCES AND INDIVIDUALS & CORPORATE HOUSE TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THIS AMBITIOUS MONUMENTAL PROJECT .

Establish a project manager and core research team including scholars, dancers, teachers and grant writers. Establish the scope of the project in terms of areas, styles and time-periods of coverage. Get estimates from writers, photographers, videographers, visual artists, sculptors and architects. Develop a detailed project plan and timeline. Develop a grant proposal and apply for funding. Start execution of the project upon receipt of initial funding. Suggestions and voluntary help welcome.

COMPLETELY DEDICATED TO THE CAUSE OF PRESERVATION, PROTECTION AND POPULARIZATION OF BHAARATA-NAATYAM AND IT'S GREATNESS AND DIVINITY.