Rangasirsa

Rangasirsa or the back stage plays a pivotal role in Indian theatre. The back stage has a different measurement for different types of theatre. In the Vikrista type of theatre, the back stage is 8×32 cubits and in the Caturasra type it measures 8×8 cubits. The Rangasirsa is made of six pieces of wood and furnished with two doors leading into the green room. It is smooth and even like a mirror and bedecked with jewels. The transitional space is filled with very fine black earth, having the lustre of a pure mirror and studded with emeralds, sapphires, corals and other precious stones, arranged in a variety of designs on the four sides.

The Rangasirsa is built with six planks. According to Abhinavagupta, a portion of the back stage is reserved as a place of rest for actors, for maintaining the privacy of the entrance and exit and for purpose like promoting, securing some stage result and storing stage equipments. The Rangapitha and the Rangasirsa are two distinct part of the theatre. The Rangasirsa was of a higher level than the Rangapitha in the Vikrista type of theatre and of the equal level in the Caturasra type of theatre. The Rangapitha and the Rangasirsa were positioned in two different parts of the theatre as they were used for diverse purposes. The Rangapitha is meant for the actual depiction of the plot whereas the Rangasirsa is left as a place of retirement for actors. The Rangasirsa was also used for accommodating the orchestra. In the Natyashastra it has been stated that the musicians should sit in the Rangasirsa.