Character: 1 definition

Introduction:

Character means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)

Characters play an important role in any type of literary composition. Specially, in a dramatic performance the characters play the lead role. Actually the dramatist projects his ideas through the behaviors of different characters.

Characters may be of two types viz.,

  1. individual and
  2. typical.

The Characters of Sanskrit dramas are mostly like king, queen, deity, demon, sage and sometimes Brahmins and merchants, because of being based on the epics for theme. In the Nāṭyaśāstra, it is stated that the first Drama was enacted with the characters of gods and demons. The qualities of characters used in a Drama are explained elaborately in the third part of Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa.

Natyashastra book cover
context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

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