On this world theatre day, I'm going to tell y'll about Dhyaana Shlokam (read: dhi-yaa-nuh sh-loh-kum). It is traditional to start a play with a dhyaana shlokam. 'Dhyana' is a Sanskrit word that means meditation and 'Shlokam' means a prayer.

 It’s a practice to recite the following shloka before starting the play. This is a popular shloka in praise of Lord Shiva, who is said to be the King of Dance. The dancing form of Lord Shiva is known as 'Nataraja' (read: Nuh-tuh-raa-jaa) who is the embodiment of the four Abninayas namely Angikabhinaya, Vachikabhinaya, Aharyabhinaya, Satvikabhinaya.

Angikam Bhuvanam Yasya 

Vachikam Sarva Vangmayam 

Aaharyam Chandra Taradi

Tam Numah Saattvikam Shivam 

आंगिकम भुवनम यस्य

वाचिकं सर्व वाङ्ग्मयम

आहार्यं चन्द्र ताराधि

तं नुमः सात्विकं शिवम्  

The prayer means ---

Whose bodily movement is the entire Universe

Whose speech is the language (of the Universe)

Whose ornaments are the moon and the stars

Him, we version the pure (serene) Lord Shiva!

Guru Mantra

Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu

Guru Devo Maheswara

Guru Saaksaat Param Brahma

Tasmai Shri Guruve Namaha

Meaning

Guru Is Brahma, Who plants the qualities of goodness

Guru Is Vishnu ,Who nurtures and fosters the qualities of goodness

Guru Is Maheshwara ,Who weeds out the bad quality

Guru Is Supreme Brahman Itself

Prostration Unto That Guru.

Natya krama

Yato hasta stato drishti

Yato drishti stato manah

Yato manah stato bhava

Yato bhava stato rasaha.

Meaning

Where the hand is, eyes should follow there

Where the eyes is, the mind should be there

Where the mind is, there goes the expression,

And where there is expression, there arises emotion.