Writers on Aesthetics (with focus on Poetics) of Ancient India:

Bharata Nâtya Sâstra  5th century B.C. – 3rd century A. D.

Discussion on all art forms present in theatre and on the purpose and essence of art 

Commentators on Bharata

Lollata A. D. 9th century

Sankuka  9th century

Bhattanayaka  9th – 10th century

Abhinavagupta Abhinvabhratai Locana 10th – 11^th CAD Commentaries on Nâtya Sâstra and Dhvanyâloka. Most influential commentary on almost all art forms with special focus on rasa and dhvani

Texts on The Alamkâras Theory

Bhâmaha Kâvyalankâra 7th – 8th century

First comprehensive work on poetics, on alamkâras ,

also the concept of vakrokti

Dândin Kâvyâdarsa 8th century Highlights guna-riti. Alamkâras theory articulated more cogently; shows some influence of

Nâtya Shâstra.

Udbhata Kâvyâlankârasarasangrahah 8th – 9th centuryAlong with focus on alamkâras s, he also discusses rasa and doesn’t seem convinced about dhvani

Rudrata Kâyvâlankâra 9th century Again focus on alamkâras as well as brief discussion of rasa 

The Riti Theory |

Vâmana 8th – 9th century

The first to ask questions about the soul of poetry – and focuses on riti or style

The Dhvani Theory
Anandavardhana Dhvanyâloka:9th
CAD:Focuses on the role of suggestion – dhvani – in poetic language. Also links rasa to dhvani.
Abhinavagputa Locana:11thCAD:Comments on Dhvanyâloka. Establishes rasa-dhvani as a very powerful concept.

Miscellaneous Writers on Poetics

Râjasekhara Kâvyamimamsâ 10th CAD Different aspects of poetics discussed

Dhanamjaya  10th CAD Different aspects of poetics discussed

Kuntaka Vakroktijivita  10th – 11th CAD Elaborates the theory of vakrokti or poetic language of indirection

Kshemendra Aucityavichâracharcâ  11th CAD Elaborates the concept of appropriateness or aucitya

Sringâra Prakâsa Samarangana-sutradhara 11th CAD Rasa theory, different types of plays, performanceMusic, art and architecture

Mahimâbhatta 11th CAD Important commentator on earlier theories

Hemacandra Kâvyanusâsanam 1088-1172 Handbook of poetics discussing earlier theories

RuyyakaAlankârasarvasva  12th CAD Important commentator on earlier theories

Visvanâtha Sâhityapardna 14th CAD Handbook of poetics discussing earlier theories. In addition, it deals with performance as well

Appayyâ Diksita Kuvalyanandah 16th – 17th CAD   Important commentator on earlier theories

Jagannâtha Rasagangâdharah 17th CAD  This too deals with the entire field of poetics

Other Major Works/Critics on Aesthetics

Bruhatsâmhita Varâhamihira Chapters on iconography and silpaNâtya Sâstra  - Significant contribution to dance

Vâstusutra Upanisad Part of Paiplada samhita, a very important treatise that deals with the philosophy of architecture and discusses rasa in this context

Abhinaya Darpana Nandikeswara3rd century (?) ADMost significant treatise on dance after Nâtya Sâstra

Vishnudharmottara Purâna 7th cent. A purâna with chapters on architecture, painting, music, dance, poets, etc. attributed to the late Gupta period.

Nâradasilpa - On architecture and art

Prajâpati Silpa  - On architecture and art

Abhinavabhârati SamaranganasutradharaBhoja11th century Discussion on music, painting, sculpture and architecture 

Sangitaratnâkara Sârangadeva Simha Bhopala and Kâlinath13th century14th & 15th   centuryEncyclopedic treatise on music Commentators

Râgatarangini Locanakavi Râmamatya15th century Treatise on musicCommentator

Silpasâstra Mandana15th century 

Saraswati Silpa - On architecture and art

Silparatna    16th centuryOn architecture and art: Very popular in Kerala