ABHINAYA

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ABHINAYA

Among the basic concepts of dance Abhinaya is indispensable. The function is to educate viewers thus stimlating the possibility of aesthetic experience in them. Technically it is the visible expression of the mental state.

Literally the term Abhinaya has different meaning. The term is derived of two prefixes 'abhi' meaning towards and 'naya' meaning to lead. Another version is that it is the expression of feeling or emotion through physical actions. 'Abhi' means before the eyes,'Naya' the mode of feelings. Abhinaya can be defined as the suggestive imitation of the various psychological states of characters in a play.

According to Bharatha's Natyasastra and Nandikeswara's Abhinayadarpana, abhinaya admits of four varieties such as Angika, Vachika, Aharya and Sattvika.

Angika Abhinaya

The form af abhinaya expressed by the bodily movements are termed as Angika abhinaya. It pertains to the different limbs of the body.

Vachika Abhinaya

This is the abhinaya expressed by the use of speech. It constitutes poems and drama. In vachika abhinaya it is the singer who gives expression to the words of the song through their powerful singing.Along with the beauty of the voice, clarity and proper pronunciation is also very importanat.Further there should be an understanding between the dancer and the musician.

Aharya Abhinaya

Abhinaya or expression of ideas by means of proper costumes and dressing is termed as Aharya abhinaya. This abhinaya helps to make the natya quite meaningful. This abhinaya can also be termed as nepathiya vidhi or make up . Bharatha further enumerates that a person decorates with different solor costume reveals the behavior and character and quality of the costume he wears.

Satvika Abhinaya

Abhinaya expressed through Bhava or expression of sentiments, or facial expression can be termed as Satvikabhinaya. Manifestation of the qualities of a person or character through physical behavior can be termed as satvikhabhinaya.

BHAVA

Bhava is the expression of the mental state which is quite essential in Dance. Bhava is that which leads to the result.Bhava is the emotional and existing condition of the dancer while rasa is the aesthetic experience felt by the spectator while he enjoys or relishes the meaning or idea conveyed to him through the gestures and facial expression.