According to Natyasastra, a dancer can express through Angikam (body), Vachikam (words), Aharyam(costume) and Sattvikam(emotions). Hasta Mudras fall under Anagika Abhinayam. Abhinayam means expression. Hand movements in dance are very important to communicate ideas, actions, etc while dancing. Hence these are called Abhinaya Hastas. These are classified into Asamyukta Hasta (Single Hand Gestures) and Samyukta Hasta (Double Hand Gestures). Each Hasta is used to depict more than one action. Samyukta means together. A-Samyukta means separate. Before learning the hand gestures,…
Kuchipudi
Namaskaram! These are the seven Shlokas from Natya Sastra, written by Bharata Muni that a dancer must know/recite before starting the Dance. Hence, these are called Natyarambha Shlokas. Natya means Dance and Arambha Beginning. Pranamya Sirasa DevouPitamaha Maheswarou Natya Sastram PravakshyamiBrahmanaaya Dhutahrutham Bharata Muni sets to explain the Natya Sastra (the science of dance) that was preached to him by Lord Brahma. Before that he bows his head to Pitamaha (Brahma), the creator of Natya Sastra and Maheswara (Shiva), the…
Art is a medicine. Theories have evolved and practice has proven that various art forms like dance and music are used in curing various health issues. Practice of medicine is divine for its obvious and divine ability to cure. When your profession and passion can have the power of healing lives, it surely is the most blessed feeling! Meet the Dancing Doctor, Dr. Yamini Saripalli, a passionate Kuchipudi dancer who is professionally a dermatologist. She lives in the DC area (USA). I…