Silappathikaram Stage Dance & Natyashastra’s Ashtanayaki: A Comparative Study

சிலப்பதிகார வரிக்கூத்து - நாட்டியசாஸ்திரிய அஷ்ட நாயகிஓர் ஒப்பீடு

Abstract

Tamil literature, closely linked to the culture and lifestyle of the Tamil people, has the power to express emotions and unite communities. Silappathikaram, as a timeless artistic work, continues to resonate across generations, connecting with contemporary life and sensibilities. Over time, external linguistic and cultural influences affected the performing arts, often creating a perception that dance was associated only with non-Tamil traditions. This study examines the dance elements depicted in Silappathikaram and compares them with the concept of the Ashtanayaki (Eight Heroines) described in Natyashastra. The comparison highlights how dance in Silappathikaram represents a uniquely Tamil artistic tradition, rooted in Tamil culture and aesthetics, rather than being borrowed from other regions.