Synopsis The term contemporary theatre is used in the present context in a broad sense to include not only classical art forms like Kathakali and Kutiyattam, but even modern experimental threatre. Natyasastra, ascribed to the mythical Bharata, is encyclopedic in its scope and range. Its authorship, date, and even textual details may be problematic. But there can be no denying of the fact that it represents an Indian attempt to give shape to its own theatrical philosophy which was never lost sight of until the advent of modernity ushered in by colonialism. Hence, we just cannot imagine a genuine Indian threatre without a reference to the broad theoretical framework outlined in this extra-ordinarily rich store-house of indigenous theatrical knowledge. Regional art forms like Kutiyattam, Kathakali, Krisnanattam, Yaksagana, Bharatanatyam or even folk forms like the Yatra of Bengal are tied to the Natyasastra through an umbilical chord. For that matter, even modern experimental theatre makes use of the stagecraft of Bharata and concepts like that of the Sutradhara.