Sattaka is a theatre form. Scholars explain its etymology differently. A. N. Upadhye derives it from sa and atta i.e. `drama or `dance`, a word of Dravidian origin` and ka. Thus he understands it as `a dramatic representation accompanied by dance`. On the contrary, N. G. Guru interprets the word from the Sanskrit root sat, meaning to show, display or manifest. Thus it means `a kind of spectacle, a show, a display`, wherein dancing predominated rather than dialogue as in a nataka. Both agree on the nature of sattaka as a minor play abounding in dance and music. Visvanatha`s Sahityadarpana i.e. `Mirror of Literature` in fourteenth century defines it as drama with a Prakrit text and also without pravesaka or vishkambhaka. Adbhuta or marvelous rasa prevails in it. Rajasekhara`s Karpuramanjari i.e. `Camphor Blossoms` in tenth century is the best known example.

This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com