Qualities of a dancer
It is said that a dancer is required to develop 10 qualities. This has been explained very effectively in the following sloka
Javasthirathva Rekhacha Bhramari Drishtirasamraha Medha Shraddha Vacho Geetham Paathrapraha Dasasmritha
Paathrapraha Dasasmritha – These are the 10 qualities that a dancer develops;
Java – Swiftness
Sthirathva – Composure
Rekha – Symmetry
Bhramari – Turns (Should be graceful)
Drishti – Effective glances
Asrama – Endurance
Medha – Memory power
Shraddha – Concentration or Devotion
Vacho – Clear speech
Geetham – Singing ability
Indian Classical Dance is divided into 3 aspects in accordance to the use of Abhinaya and Adavus
Nritha - It is basically Abstract Movement of body to music or swaras in rhythm devoid of expression.
Nrithya – Lyrical dance. Dancers use conventional hand gestures called mudras along with facial expressions - Abhinaya; and feelings to express the meanings or interpretations of the lyrics or text i.e using Rasas and Bhavas
Natya – Enacting an idea or a story or maybe just an incident in a dance-drama form using the 4 types of Abhinaya. Expressions and poses are used to portraying the characters.
Nritha itself is divided into 3:
Suddha Nritha – Raga and Sahitya (Lyrics) are not applied here. Instead, Cholus or Bols are used. E.g. Poorvarangam of Kathakali and Kudiyattam
Talavadhyaanusari Nritha – As the name indicates; according to Rhythm and Swaras ( S R G M P D N) instead of Cholus. E.g. Jathiswaram
Geethakaadi Abhinayathmaka Nritha – Sahitya is present here and dancer dances along with the lyrics. E.g. Thillana
Dancer in a pose Usage of Angas, Upangas, Prathyangas
ANGAS, UPANGAS, PRATHYANGAS
Dance is basically a combination of body movements and expressions. Every part of our body is used while dancing from head to toe. When Angas move, Upangas and Prathyangas move.
ANGAS – These are the major parts of our body. They are divided into 7 regions:
Head
Hands
Hips
Chest
Sides
Fingers
Legs
UPANGAS – Ancillary Body Parts (Important for facial expressions)
Eyebrows
Eyes
Eye Lids
Pupils
Nose
Jaws
Lower Lips
Tongue
Mouth
Teeth
Chin
Cheeks
PRATHYANGAS – Minor Body Parts
Back
Shoulders
Neck
Stomach
Arms
Calves
Wrist (Manibhandas)
Elbows
Knees
THE USAGE OF UPANGAS
When a person portrays their feelings with their facial expressions, it is called Bhava. However, when one portrays feelings through imagination and brings up similar facial expressions, then it is called Natya. Natya is the foundation of all the Rasas or the emotional flavours which a dancer conveys while performing (will be explained soon). In order to perform the expressions beautifully, every dancer goes through various exercises for every part on their face.
NATYAKRAMAM
“Kramam” means Method. So ideally Natyakramam means “Method to Dance”.
To explain it further; when the musician sings, the meaning of the lyrics should be conveyed accordingly by the dancer along with the help of hand gestures, the Upangas should enact the emotion, and the feet should move with the rhythm of the music. A Sloka in the Abhinayadarpana explains this concept beautifully.
Yato Hasta Stato Drushti Yato Drushti Stato Manaha Yato Manaha Stato Bhavom Yato Bhavom Stato Rasaha
How the Natyakrama is said Where the hand goes, there the eyes should follow Where the eyes are, the mind should follow Where the mind is, Bhava or expression is produced Where there is expression, Rasa or aesthetic delight is experienced This can be interpreted in another way Where your hands cannot reach, your eyes can reach What your eyes cannot see, your mind can see When you experience what your mind sees, there is Bhava Hence when Bhava is produced, there is Rasa or happiness. It is only when the dancer creates the atmosphere successfully will the spectator be able to fully experience the mood created by the dancer. Hence, the former will not only be able to enjoy the dance but also be involved in the performance. E.g. If the dancer is portraying a heroine who is pining for her hero, the dancer has to create a mood of sadness and desolation through Abhinaya. If the audience shares the same anguish of the heroine and feels sorry for her, then the dancer has been successful in producing Rasa. This is the reason why audiences are called 'Rasikas'.