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RADHA VALLABH TRIPATHI
SAMBODHI
describes the origin of vrittis through the fight between Visnu and the two demons Madhu and Kaiçabha. Sattvatī vṛtti was actually employed by the sattvata warriors in duals or combats.23 The forceful and vigorous postures or movements made in fights formed the basis for sättvati and ärbhați vṛttis. Abhinava actually connects arabhati with the practice of warriors."
8. Contribution of other arts :
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Various arts, crafts, and techniques are assimilated in the practice of theatre. The interdependence of other arts enriches and resuscitates it. In the Epic period, various arts were being promoted under royal patronage. The development of architecture by sutas (suträdhäras or sthäpakas) led to the construction of theatre - buildings, while the improvements in textiles, paintings and wood craft also added new dimensions in the practice of theatre. Painted curtains came into use during the period of MB., as is evident from various references to them in the Great Epic, e.g.:
प्रलापयुक्ता महती कथा त्यस्ता पटे यथा । -
ददृशै बलमायान्तं पटं चित्रगतं यथा ॥
(MB.S'alya. I.40)
(bif., Asramaväsika. 40.20)
The puppet shows must have been in vogue during the period when the MB. was being composed. The puppets were made to move by cords, which was called sutra, cf.
सूत्रप्रोता दारुमयीव योषा ।
(MB., Udyoga. 32.12)
यथा दारुमयी योषा नरवीर समाहिता । ईरयत्यङ्गभङ्गगानि तथा राजन्निमाः प्रजाः ।
(Ibid., Sabha, 31.22)
Contact with various professional craftsmen must have contributed to the growth of our theatre in Epic period. We get a very graphic picture of this fruitful interaction from a reference in Râmă (ii.80.1-3):
