Natya Shastra is an ancient Indian treatise on performing arts, attributed to the sage Bharata Muni. It is considered one of the foundational texts for classical Indian dance, drama, and music, detailing various aspects such as performance techniques, stagecraft, and the emotional expressions known as Rasa. The text is divided into several chapters, covering topics like the types of theatrical performances, the roles of actors, and the significance of music and dance in storytelling. Natya Shastra has greatly influenced the development of various classical dance forms in India, including Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and Odissi.