Eternal India Encyclopedia

DANCE

Eternal

India

encyclopedia

Abhinaya

: The art of expressing the mood and

nature of a dance or drama composition or convey

ideas.

Adavu :

Basic unit performed by the body in dance

(step of Bharata Natyam), a sequence of pure dance. These

are

the

combinations

steps

and

features used for dance.

Aharya Abhinaya

: Expression through costume

and make-up or alankaras.

Ananda

: Bliss.

Angika Abhinaya :

Expression through gestures and

movement of the limbs.

Bhadyaka

: Dance performedby a single dancer.

Grivabheda :

The movements of the neck.

Gulma :

A collective dance i.e. a group of dancers

who follow after the main dancer.

Janghas :

The movements of the shanks.

Kathak :

Dance technique of North India.

Kathakali :

Dance drama form of Kerala.

Kati

: The movements of the waist.

Latabandha :

A creeper formation where all the

dancers put their arms around each other.

Mandala

: A mystic circle used in Tantrie meditation.

A circular movement in dance.

Manipuri

: Dance technique of Manipur.

Mudras

: Hasta (hand) mudras, hand gestures. Each

basic hasta mudra is used in several ways depending

on the context.

Asamyuta Hastas

: Single hand gestures are the real

essence of dance language. They are used to

symbolise animals, gods, emotions etc. The same

gesture when used in different directions conveys

altogether different meanings.

Pataka :

This hand gesture is used at the beginning

of a dance to denote clouds, heaven, sword, peace

etc.

Tripataka

: This gesture is used to denote the

holding of a trident, turning round, lamp etc.

Kartarimukha

: (A face of the arrow shaft). This

used

express

opposition,

disagreement,

separation of lovers etc.

Ardhachandra

: It indicates half moon, a young

tree, the thinness and fatness of the waist.

Arala

: This gesture is used to show courage,

beauty, drinking poison, dressing the hair and

decorating the face.

Sukatunda

: This is used to signify "Not I," "Not

you", "Not to be Done" etc.

Musti

: This represents fights, blows, holding a

sword, victory, valour and like emotions.

Sikhara

: This indicates holding of reins, sound by

a bell embrace etc.

Kapitha

: It is used to denote holding weapons like

sword,

flowers,

offering

lights,

rope,

Lakshmi

the goddess of wealth and Saraswati the goddess

of knowledge.

Katakamukha

: This is used to represent sacrifice,

plucking, holding a mirror, breaking a twig etc.

Dance Glossary

Sucimukha

: When holding upward, it represents

discus, lightning, stalk of a lotus etc.

Padmakosa

: It indicates lotus bud, Kapittha and

bilva fruits, mango flowers, cluster of flowers

etc.

Sarpasiras

: It indicates offering water, the gait of

snake, sprinkling of water etc.

Mrgasirsa :

It indicates splendour of power,

showing respect, fear, applying the tilaka on

forehead by men, etc.

Kangula

: This represents raw fruits, angry words

of women, seeds, grapes and chataka etc.

Alapallava

: The gesture indicates full-blown lotus,

anger, round face; ball, praise etc.

Catura

: This hand gesture is used to represent

policy, discipline, afflicted person etc.

Bhramara :

It represents the plucking of flowers

with long stems, birds etc.

Hamsasya

: It represents the swan beak, certainty,

a drop of water etc.

Hamsapaksha

: It represents offering water and

gifts, decoration of cheek, etc.

Samdamsa :

This hand gesture has manifold uses

according to the various sentiments and moods.

The plucking of flowers, worship offerings etc.

Mukula

: It represents offerings to gods and dieties,

bud of lotus or water lily, taking meals and applying

religious mark.

Urnanabha

:This gesture is used- to indicate,

holding hair, stealing etc.

Tamracuda

: To show falling down with a sound,

beating time, to express a cock, leaf etc.

Samyuta Hastas

: Samyuta Hastas are gestures of

both hands.

Anjali :

This gesture is used to offer salutation. In

case of God, it is held on the head, in case of

elders near one's face and near the chest for

friends and spectators.

Kapota :

This gesture is used to express the approach

with modesty, conversation, with elders etc.

Karkata :

This gesture is used to indicate massaging

of the limbs in love condition, bending the branch

of a tree, a crab etc.

Swastika

: It indicates the quarters, when held in

crossed position it expresses praise etc.

Kataka

Vardhamanaka

This

gesture

either

held crossed or placed near wrist indicates love-

making and salutation to express marriage etc.

Utsanga

: It expresses touching the object beyond

sight, act of anger, embracing shyness, showing

the armlets.

Nishadha :

It is used to indicate correct understanding,

speaking truth.

Dola

: According to Natyashastra dola - hands are

used to indicate hurry, panic etc.

Pushpaputa :

The gesture indicates carrying of

com, flower etc.

Makara :

It represents, shark fish, lion, tiger etc.

Gajadanta

: This gesture indicates carrying the

bride and bridgeroom, uprooting a stone.

Avahitha

: It indicates weakness, amorous actions,

eagerness, interest and keeness.

Vardhamana

: It indicates opening of the latticed

window.

Sivalinga

: Lord Siva is represented symbolically

by this gesture.

Kartari Swastika

: It indicates trees, the summit of

a hill, branches etc.

Sakata

: This gesture is used to indicate the

demons.

Sankha :

It represents conch shell.

Cakra

: This gesture is used to show the chakra of

Mahavishnu.

Samputa

: It indicates a casket, concealing things.

Pasa

: It indicates a noose, enmity etc.

Kilaka

: It indicates affection, lover's talk fondness

and love.

Kurma

: This gesture represents to the tortoise.

Varaha

: This gesture is used for representing the

boar.

Garuda

: It is used to represent Garuda, the

vehicle of Vishnu.

Nagabandha

: It indicates pairs of hands, coil of a

snake, creeper etc.

Khatya Hasta

: This gesture is used to show the

cot or bed.

Bherunda :

It indicates a couple of Bherunda

birds.

Nritta

: Rhythmic dance movement which has no

symbolic significance.

Nritya :

Combines nritta and natya, i.e., foot work

and Abhinaya.

Padas

: The movements of feet.

Parsva

: The movements of sides.

Sirobheda

: The movements of head.

Srnkhala

: A chain formation - the partners form

a chain by holding each other's hands and dance.

Tathara

: The movements of belly.

Urus

: The movements of thigh.

Vaksha :

The movements of chest.

( P . B . )

Selected References

Mrinalini Sarabhai, “Creations”.

A. L. Basham, “The Wonder That was India”.

Leela Samson, “Rhythm in Joy”.