Question

How many types of dharmi-s are mentioned in Natyasastra?

• A. 2
• B. 4
• C. 6
• D. 8

Hint:

Think of Lokadharmi and Natyadharmi.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Recall the term:
Dharmi is the mode of presenting a play or a dance. It tells the viewer how close to real life the show is.

Step 2: Name the types:
Lokadharmi follows real life with natural speech and behaviour. Natyadharmi follows stage conventions with stylised gesture and speech.

Step 3: Count them:
There are only these two, so the count is 2.

Step 4: Check the confusing numbers:
Four is the count of Abhinayas, and eight is the count of rasas in the text. They are not the count of dharmis.

Step 5: Option check:
Check each number against what the text counts. Two is the count of dharmis, namely Lokadharmi and Natyadharmi. Four is the count of Abhinayas. Six has no matching list here. Eight matches the rasas in the text. So only the number two is tied to dharmis. A simple memory aid is that dharmi has a real-life side and a stage side, giving a pair.

Final Answer:
The Natyasastra gives two dharmis. \[ \boxed{\text{2, option 1}} \]