“Art is a jealous mistress ”

                                 - Emerson 

    Classical dance  can be roughly divided into two types they are Thandava and Lasya. Of these Thandava consist of more virile and vigorous movements and is essentially masculine in character, more suitable for male dancers, suggesting as it does  vitality and strength. The Supreme example of this kind of dance is Siva Thandava which symbolises in itself the cosmic dance of destruction.  In Lasya, on the other hand the movements are softer and more measured  suggesting grace and beauty, and it is more suitable for female dancers. 

   Abhinaya (gesticulatory expression) is the backbone of Indian Classical Dance; in fact Indian Dance is incomplete without Abhinaya. Abhinaya is usually divided into four types : Angika, Vachika, Aharya, and Satvika.

    ANGIKA ABHINAYA:

         It is an expression of Bhava by using Angas, Pratyangas and Upangas , Karanas and Angharas ( body poses) and Mudras ( gestures of the hand). Facial expressions too come under Abhinaya.  Angika Abhinaya is one of three kind: Mukhaja ( facial expressions ), Sarira ( pose of the body such as Karanas and Angaharas) , Chesta ( movements of Angas, Upangas and Pratyangas). Angas are head, hands, waist, chest and legs. These are the main limbs of the body. Upangas are eyes, eye-brows, nose, lower-lip, chin and cheeks . The movements of the Angas and Upangas are described with minute details in the Natya Sastra.  Hand gestures otherwise known as Mudras constitute a distinct language by themselves. There are twenty-four Asamyuta Hastas ( hand gestures or Mudras), thirteen Samyuta Hastas, thirteen poses of the head (Sirobeda), thirty-six kinds of glances ( Drishti Bheda), seven movements of the eye-brows and a number of other movements of the Angas, Upangas and  Pratyangas. By means of these Angas and Upangas, the dancer must express the full meaning of the speech, song or story . ABHINAYA of the face is the index of Rasa ( aesthetic emotion).

  VACHIKA ABHINAYA :

       It is an expression of the Bhava by the song or speech, that is singing or speaking according to the situation or mood.

    AHARYA ABHINAYA :

         It is an expression of the mood with the aid of appropriate costumes  ornaments, make-up etc., befitting the occasion  of the story , song or speech and the status of the character the dancer  portrays.

   SATVIKA ABHINAYA  : 

        It  is an expression of the varying mental state that the characters are supposed to feel such an horripilation , tears etc. Satvika Abhinaya is by far the most difficult part of Abhinaya. 

  So that's all about different abhinayas in Classical Dance.. hope you all enjoy reading. Keep supporting…

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