GENRE TYPOLOGY OF DRAMA IN EUROPEAN AND SANSKRIT LITERATURE

The article examines the notion of drama as a genre category in European and ancient Indian theatrical theory. The analysis of ancient texts, foremost the treatise of the Natyasastra, which can be considered the most authoritative primary source for the study of classical Indian poetics, forms the basis of the research. This paper identifies Sanskrit analogues of such fundamental concepts of Western literary theory as "drama," "genre," "performance," "scenicism," "literariness," etc. The closest analogical to European definitions of drama and genre Sanskrit notions are investigated in depth. They are primarely natya and prayoga - two terms used to define various performative aspects of the play. Another notion studied in the paper is rupa, which originally stood for "scenario" and, later on, for textual and literary format of the staged play. Due to its universality, the same term functioned as the general definition of ten "exemplary" spectacular forms. Finally, the category of vrtti is discussed, employed in the Natyasastra for the characterization of stylistic features of early mysterial performances and, later on, of classical Sanskrit plays. The scope of the paper does not limit itself to bringing to light and discussing these various notions. The ultimate goal is to highlight the differences between Eastern and Western poetological systems and to point out fundamental issues arising from the non -critical use of European terminology when interpreting and investigating ancient Indian aesthetics.