Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Sanskrit and Prākrit! In Indian classical theatre, every word spoken on stage carries purpose, rhythm, and character. Bharata Muni’s Natyashastra doesn’t leave even speech to chance. It prescribes how language itself becomes an element of performance.
One of its most fascinating aspects is the concept of two kinds of recitation. Saṃskṛta (refined) and Prākṛta (vulgar or popular).
If you want to bring authenticity to classical productions, understanding and performing these 2 kinds of recitation. This applies to dancers, actors, and directors.
Let’s explore what each means, when they are used, and how to perform them effectively in today’s context.
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The Two Kinds of Recitation
According to the Natyashastra, recitation (pāṭhya) is of two kinds:
- Samskruta Pāṭhya is the refined, classical Sanskrit speech.
- Prākṛta Pāṭhya is the popular, everyday form of speech.
These two show social class, emotional tone, and dramatic context. Bharata defines when each should be used based on the character’s nature, state of mind, and situation.
Performing Sanskrit Recitation
Who speaks Sanskrit on stage?
Sanskrit is assigned to:
- Heroes of noble temperament (dhīra types)
- Kings and sages
- Queens, courtesans, and female artistes (in certain contexts)
- Apsarasas and celestial beings
- Educated Brahmins, Buddhists, and Śrotriyas
When to use it
Use Sanskrit when the mood is vehement, calm, exalted, or noble. It suits scenes involving courage, wisdom, devotion, or cosmic order. Sanskrit elevates speech and refines emotion into elegance.
How to do it
- Voice quality: Clear, resonant, and measured. Sanskrit recitation should feel steady, like a temple bell’s echo.
- Articulation: Each syllable must land cleanly. Sanskrit depends on varna (sound quality) and mātrā (duration). Over-enunciation kills grace and under-enunciation loses clarity.
- Tempo: Keep it moderate to slow. Allow the weight of each word to carry meaning. Sanskrit thrives in pauses.
- Expression: Show restraint here. Eyes, hands, and breath should support the grandeur of thought.
- Contextual cues: Use Sanskrit in invocations, philosophical discussions, war declarations, or moral dialogues.
Example
When a king receives a prophecy:
“Rājā dharmasya rakṣitā!” – The king is the protector of righteousness!
Do it with dignity. Your shoulders must be upright. Eyes steady. The tone must carry conviction, not pride.
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Performing Prākrit Recitation
Who speaks Prākrit on stage?
Prākrit is given to:
- Common people, children, and women (in domestic roles)
- Ascetics, monks, jugglers, and travelers
- Persons in disguise or distress
- Characters intoxicated by wealth or poverty
- Spirits, lunatics, and phallic worshippers.
When to use it
Use Prākrit when the tone shifts toward humor, affection, confusion, or worldly emotion. It mirrors the earthiness of life and shows the everyday voice of humanity.
How to perform it
- Voice quality: Keep it natural, conversational, with warmth.
- Articulation: Softer consonants, flexible vowels. Prākrit flows more than it strikes.
- Tempo: Quicker and lighter than Sanskrit. The rhythm of a street conversation or friendly banter.
- Expression: It is more body-driven. Let your gestures, eyebrow lifts, and smiles carry the rhythm.
- Contextual cues: Use Prākrit for intimate exchanges, comic relief, daily routines, or emotional vulnerability.
Example
A maid teasing her mistress:
“Sāmi, naṭṭhā esa tava kuṭṭimaṇa!” – Mistress, your bangle’s gone!
Say it with a playful tone, light laughter, and brisk energy. The focus here is spontaneity, not structure.
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Exceptions and special cases
Bharata gives interesting exceptions to these general rules:
- Queens and courtesans can use Sanskrit during discussions of politics, astronomy, or arts. Their education and royal setting justify this.
- Female artistes performing in front of kings can recite in Sanskrit for artistic refinement.
- Apsarasas use Sanskrit in heavenly scenes, but Prākrit when portraying earthly roles or human relationships.
- Regional dialects (like those of Śūrasena or Andhra) can be adapted for local productions to preserve authenticity.
The genius of Bharata lies in flexibility. He sees language as alive, always adapting to the play’s world.
Bringing it alive on stage today
For dancers
When performing abhinaya, align your language with bhava. Use Sanskrit for spiritual or divine moods (rasas) like shanta or veera. Shift to Prākrit when expressing hāsya (humor) or śṛṅgāra (love in play).
In padams or varṇams, internalize this shift even if lyrics are not in Sanskrit or Prākrit. The essence must stay with the contrast between the refined and the real.
For actors and directors
When staging a classical play (nāṭaka or prakaraṇa), script the language flow intentionally. Let speech itself become visual.
- Use Sanskrit for gravity.
- Use Prākrit for color and rhythm.
Modern theatre can adapt tone and accent rather than literal language. A character’s dialect or speech pattern can represent the same contrast Bharata envisioned.
Insight from scholars
The two kinds of recitation show the dual nature of human expression. It is the sacred and the mundane. Sanskrit symbolizes idealized consciousness, while Prākrit mirrors lived experience.
This division was dramaturgical precision. Bharata used language as a mirror. He refined it for gods, fluid for humans. Each word carried the weight of identity.
In later works like Daśarūpaka and Abhinayadarpaṇa, this distinction continued. But by then, Prākrits had diversified into specific forms, Śaurasenī, Māgadhī, Māhārāṣṭrī, each with nuanced usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Natyashastra mentions two kinds of recitation, Samskṛta Pāṭhya (refined Sanskrit) and Prākṛta Pāṭhya (vulgar or popular speech). Each reflects a character’s social status, mood, and context within a play or performance.
Sanskrit recitation is used when portraying noble characters, kings, sages, or divine beings. And in situations demanding dignity, philosophy, or calm heroism. It emphasizes refinement, clarity, and emotional restraint.
Prākrit recitation is used for common people, women, servants, travelers, or characters showing humor, affection, or distress. It adds warmth and realism to performance, expressing human emotions naturally.
Performers should train in pronunciation, rhythm, and breath control. Sanskrit requires poise and measured articulation, while Prākrit demands flow, softness, and expressive movement. Understanding context is key before reciting either.
Bharata Muni separates Sanskrit and Prākrit to match language with character. Sanskrit uplifts the ideal, Prākrit grounds the real. This duality allows drama to portray both divine and human worlds authentically.
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Final thoughts
Language in performance is the ātmā, the soul of character.
When we recite Sanskrit, we speak from the seat of awareness. When we recite Prākrit, we speak from the pulse of life. Both are needed. They both complete the rasa of theatre.
As Bharata remind us, the art lies in knowing when to ascend into refinement, and when to return to earth.
About Natya-Shastra.in
At Natya-Shastra.in, our mission is to serve as a gateway to the illustrious world of the NāṭyaŚāstra. We offer insights, resources, and a platform to delve deeper into the nuances of Indian performing arts.
Also, we aim to bring forth the richness of this ancient text. We try to shed light on the profound wisdom it holds and its everlasting influence on various artistic traditions.
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