The Natya Shastra is an ancient Indian treatise on the performing arts that is believed to have been written between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. It is considered to be one of the oldest and most influential works on the performing arts in India, and it covers a wide range of topics, including music, dance, drama, and stagecraft. The Natya Shastra is believed to have had a significant influence on the development of various classical Indian dance forms, including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and Kuchipudi.