Natyashastra, the earliest treatise on performing arts in Sanskrit, was written by who among the following?

Option 1 -> Jayadeva was a 12th century Sanskrit poet, famous for Gita Govinda, not Natyashastra.

Option 2 -> Bharata Muni is the sage credited with composing Natyashastra, the foundational text on Indian performing arts.

Option 3 -> Kalidasa was a classical Sanskrit dramatist and poet known for works like Shakuntala, not Natyashastra.

Option 4 -> Harshvardhana was a 7th century emperor and playwright who wrote Nagananda, not Natyashastra.

Hence, Option 2: Bharata Muni -> Natyashastra is an ancient encyclopedic treatise (dating between 200 BCE - 200 CE) covering dramaturgy, dance, music, and all aspects of stagecraft, making it the earliest and most comprehensive text on performing arts in Sanskrit -> correct