Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal

India

DANCE

encyclopedia

Dance Glossary

Sucimukha : When holding upward, it represents discus, lightning, stalk of a lotus etc.

Dola : According to Natyashastra dola - hands are

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 of 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.

used to indicate hurry, panic etc.

Padmakosa : It indicates lotus bud, Kapittha and

Pushpaputa : The gesture indicates carrying of

bilva fruits, mango flowers, cluster of flowers

com, flower etc. Makara : It represents, shark fish, lion, tiger etc.

etc.

Sarpasiras : It indicates offering water, the gait of

Gajadanta : This gesture indicates carrying the

snake, sprinkling of water etc.

bride and bridgeroom, uprooting a stone.

Mrgasirsa : It indicates splendour of power,

Avahitha : It indicates weakness, amorous actions,

showing respect, fear, applying the tilaka on

eagerness, interest and keeness.

forehead by men, etc.

Vardhamana : It indicates opening of the latticed

Kangula : This represents raw fruits, angry words

window.

of women, seeds, grapes and chataka etc.

Sivalinga : Lord Siva is represented symbolically

Grivabheda : The movements of the neck.

Alapallava : The gesture indicates full-blown lotus,

by this gesture.

anger, round face; ball, praise etc.

Kartari Swastika : It indicates trees, the summit of

Gulma : A collective dance i.e. a group of dancers who follow after the main dancer.

Catura : This hand gesture is used to represent

a hill, branches etc.

policy, discipline, afflicted person etc.

Sakata : This gesture is used to indicate the

Janghas : The movements of the shanks.

demons. Sankha : It represents conch shell.

Bhramara : It represents the plucking of flowers

Kathak : Dance technique of North India.

with long stems, birds etc.

Kathakali : Dance drama form of Kerala.

Cakra : This gesture is used to show the chakra of

Hamsasya : It represents the swan beak, certainty,

Kati : The movements of the waist.

Mahavishnu. Samputa : It indicates a casket, concealing things.

a drop of water etc.

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 is used to 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.

Hamsapaksha : It represents offering water and

Pasa : It indicates a noose, enmity etc.

gifts, decoration of cheek, etc.

Kilaka : It indicates affection, lover's talk fondness

Samdamsa : This hand gesture has manifold uses

and love. Kurma : This gesture represents to the tortoise.

according to the various sentiments and moods.

The plucking of flowers, worship offerings etc.

Varaha : This gesture is used for representing the

Mukula : It represents offerings to gods and dieties,

boar.

bud of lotus or water lily, taking meals and applying

Garuda : It is used to represent Garuda, the

vehicle of Vishnu.

religious mark.

Nagabandha : It indicates pairs of hands, coil of a

Urnanabha :This gesture is used- to indicate,

snake, creeper etc.

holding hair, stealing etc.

Khatya Hasta : This gesture is used to show the

Tamracuda : To show falling down with a sound,

cot or bed. Bherunda : It indicates a couple of Bherunda birds. Nritta : Rhythmic dance movement which has no symbolic significance.

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

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

friends and spectators.

and Abhinaya.

Kapota : This gesture is used to express the approach

Padas : The movements of feet.

with modesty, conversation, with elders etc.

Parsva : The movements of sides.

Karkata : This gesture is used to indicate massaging

Sirobheda : The movements of head.

of the limbs in love condition, bending the branch

Srnkhala : A chain formation - the partners form a chain by holding each other's hands and dance.

of a tree, a crab etc.

Swastika : It indicates the quarters, when held in

Tathara : The movements of belly.

crossed position it expresses praise etc.

Urus : The movements of thigh.

This

gesture

either

Kataka

Vardhamanaka

held crossed or placed near wrist indicates love-

Vaksha : The movements of chest.

( P . B . )

making and salutation to express marriage etc.

Utsanga : It expresses touching the object beyond

Selected References

sight, act of anger, embracing shyness, showing

the armlets.

Mrinalini Sarabhai, “Creations”.

Nishadha : It is used to indicate correct understanding,

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

speaking truth.

Leela Samson, “Rhythm in Joy”.

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