Gati in Theory and Practice
by Dr. Sujatha Mohan | 2015 | 88,445 words
This page relates ‘Literary and dramatic elements in Natyashastra� of the study on the Theory and Practice of Gati (“gait�) which refers to the “movement of a character on the stage�, commonly employed (as a Sanskrit technical term) in ancient Indian Theatrics and the Dramatic arts, also known as Natya-shastra. This thesis explores the history and evolution of Gati and also investigates how the various Gatis are employed in regional performance traditions.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Literary and dramatic elements in ṭyśٰ
Bharata enlists the essential requirements of ṭy in the form of a ṅg śǰ첹. They are:
rasa—the sentiments,
屹—the states,
abhinaya—the histrionic representations,
ī—the practice,
ṛtپ—the styles,
praṛtپ—the regional styles,
siddhi—the success,
svara—the notes,
ٴǻⲹ—the instrumental music,
Բ—the songs and
ṅg—the stage.屹 hyabhinayā ī ṛtپpravṛttaya� |
� svarāstathٴǻⲹ� Բ� ṅgścasaṃgraha� ||[1]
Abhinava gupta states that, this 첹 is the view of Kohala. Kohala has put in all the essential elements of ṭy into a nutshell and formed a ṅg śǰ첹. The order of the elements are explained and analysed by many scholars, who have worked on the ṭyśٰ. All these components of the ṭy ṅg, in the chain, leads to rasa and in this way ٲⲹ precede from the outer world to the inner self.[2]
1. Rasa
Rasa is that which can be relished (ⲹٱ). The aesthetic experience realized in reading a literary work or witnessing a performance or tasting good food is rasa. Just as people who have a special liking for the food that they enjoy by mixing various ingredients, such as spices and condiments, the intellectuals appreciate the ٳ⾱ 屹s combined with the gestural representation of the moods.
Hence, they are called ṭyrasas, the sentiments relating to dramatic performances.
yathā bahudravyayuktaircyañjanairbahubhiryutam |
岹ⲹԳپ bhuñjānā bhaktaṃbhaktavido Ჹ� ||
屹bhinayasaṃbaddhān sthayi屹ṃstathā ܻ� |
岹ⲹԳپ Բ tasmānṭy� smṛtā� ||[3]
Rasa literally means juice or an extract. rasyate anena � |In the parlance of ṭy, rasa is that enjoyment which is experienced after witnessing a performance or even after reading a story. Here, even sorrow or anger is enjoyed because these emotions are not part of our normal daily life, or because it does not occur in reality. It is enacted by the actor or it is elucidated by the writer. The dialogue or action is supplemented by emotion evoked through the minor limbs of the face such as actions like glances, throbbing of lips, and movement of eyebrows. The beautiful movement of the body, which is technically correct and appealing, pleases the senses. However, on a higher level, there is something which gives a satisfaction and enlightenment, and that is rasa. The purpose of any art is to bring out the aesthetic enjoyment in the spectator. Thus, the 屹 in the mind of the spectator is aroused by the abhinaya of the actor leads to the deleniation of rasa.
Bharata says,
na hi dṛte kaścidartha� pravartate |
There could be nothing without the relishment of sentiments. It is considered as the aesthetic delight. Rasa is analysed in different ways by scholars of post Bharata period and the theories of ٱ貹ٳپ岹 of ṭṭ DZṭa, Գܳٳپ岹 of Śri Śaṅkuka, ܰپ岹 of ṭṭnāyaka and ⲹپ岹 of Abhinavagupta have been theories which are the outcome of these. Abhinava views rasa as that which emerges due to the Բ acquired in previous births. He says the 屹s within are the memories.[4]. He also adds that rasa is ṭy and ṭy is rasa.
The rasa enlisted by Bharata are:
According to the view of some scholars like Abhinavagupta, there is a ninth rasa called śԳٲ born from the ٳ⾱ 屹 called ś. Thus, rasa was popularly known as the navarasas. Later, rasas such as preyas, ٲⲹ, īپ, bhakti, ś, laulya, ṛg, ṣa, vyasana, duhkha, sukha and many more were added by scholars of later periods.
2. 屹
屹 is the emotional fervour, which helps to realize the rasa. This word arises from the root bhu-bhav-to be. It is so called, because the 屹 becomes a .
The 屹, which is already present in a person, transforms into rasa.
“Ty are called 屹s, since they convey the theme of the poem by means of speech, physical action and mental feelings.�
ucyate vāgṅgsattvopetān kāvyārthān 屹yantīti 屹 iti |[5]
The feeling contained in the character is to be expressed in a very understandable way to the onlooker, for they are responsible for evoking rasa, the mood within oneself as it emerges out as an enjoyable experience. 屹, the state of mood or the human emotions will be present in the character and the spectator as well. They can be analysed as ٳ⾱ (dominant) and ⲹ (fleeting)
The ٳ⾱ 屹s are the static emotions or moods present within the person. They are:
These ٳ⾱ 屹s are responsible for creating the rasas. Though, there are many 屹s, Bharata states that only the eight 屹s have the quality of creating rasa. These are dormant states of mind and should be efficiently portrayed by the actors on the stage, in order to achieve the process of rasa realization.
The Vyabhicāri 屹s are the transitory moods. These are also called ñ 屹s or fleeting emotions, because they are not static. They come in and strengthen the ٳ⾱ 屹s and move away in order to create the rasas, related to the ٳ⾱s. For example, rati is the ٳ⾱ 屹 of a situation, in a scene, where the hero and the heroine are in love with each other. The ñ 屹s such as ṣa, śṅk, Գ, supta, and so on, which come in and strenghthen the ٳ⾱ of rati, which results in śṛṅgāra rasa.
The physical involuntary expressions that manifest themselves as a result of the intensity of emotion in the mental plane are known as ٳٱ첹 屹s (temperamental moods).
This is a reflection of the concentration of mind.
manasaḥsamādhau sattvaniṣpattirbhavatīti |[6]
The eight temperamental moods are:
- sthambha—p,
- svedha—p辱پDz,
- dzñ—hǰܱپDz,
- svada—change of voice,
- vepathu�trembling,
- ṇy—change of colour,
- ś�weeping and
- pralaya첹ԳپԲ.
Sattva means real, true, consciousness and many more. The real flow of emotions such as tears, horripilation, etc. cannot be controlled by the actor when he or she is involved or one with the character. When the actor turns emotional due to the concentration of mind these ٳٱ첹 屹s appear.
Vi屹 (determinant) is so called because many things are determined (屹ⲹٱ) by the employment of words, gestures and mental feelings. These are the causes for the production of rasa. Anu屹 (consequent) is so called because they are effected (Գܲ屹ⲹٱ) through words, gestures and mental feelings in performance. Therefore, these are the effects in the production of rasa.
Bharata states that,
“T vi屹s (determinants), anu屹s (consequents) and ⲹ 屹s (transitory moods) cause the production of rasas (sentiments).
tatra vi屹nu屹ⲹsaṃyogādrasaniṣpatti� ||[7]
The ٳ⾱, the static emotion is strengthened by the combination of vi屹, anu屹 and the ⲹ in order to produce the respective rasa of the ٳ⾱ 屹.
屹, the mental feeling, when properly communicated (abhinaya) by the actor, rasa is relished. Thus, rasa is brought out through the combination of ٳ⾱ 屹 (permanent mood) and the other three 屹s.
There is no rasa without the accompaniment of 屹 and no 屹 devoid of rasa.
na 屹hīno'sti raso na bhāvo rasavarjita� |
parasparakṛtā siddhistayoradhinaye bhavet ||[8]
3. Abhinaya
According to Bharata histrionic representation can be done in four ways in a dramatic performance, they are:
- ṅg첹—gestural, which is conveyed by body actions,
- 峦첹—verbal which is conveyed by words,
- ⲹ—extraneous, which is conveyed by dress, ornaments and the like, and
- ٳٱ첹—internal, which is conveyed by the manifestations of the internal feelings such as sveda.
All the plays are based on these four abhinayas. If a play is not communicated properly, it cannot produce the desired rasa. Therefore, this is very essential for all productions.
Bharata also enumerates two more abhinayas as an extension of ٳٱ첹 abhinaya, they are 峾Բⲹ and citra abhinaya, generic and special representations respectively. Sāmānya abhinaya is a combination of ṅg첹, 峦첹 and ٳٱ첹 abhinayas.[9] Citra abhinaya deals with the special features of ṅg첹 abhinaya such as depicting some objects or ideas such as morning, noon, five senses and their sensations, etc. Abhinavagupta says that, in 峾Բⲹ abhinaya, importance is given to the rasa and in citra abhinaya it is given to vi屹.
4. ٳī
ٳī refers to the rules laid down in a dramatic practice, the ways or modes of practice or presentation.
They are of two kinds;
ṭyī (stylistic) and
lokaī (realistic).ī yā 屹 ǰ峾 ū� dvijottamā� |
laukikīṭyī ca tayorvakṣyāmi lṣaṇam ||[10]
When a play represents natural behaviour of characters it is lokaī, which is the factual representation of the happenings around us on the stage. Nāṭyaī is characterized by the actions superseding the natural course of the text.
When the representation of mountains and vehicles are done by humans and if a character moves about the stage with graceful movements of the limbs and dancing steps instead of the usual walk it is ṭyī.
�Dramas should always be performed on the basis of ṭyī. Without the accompaniment of musical instruments and gestures of limbs it is not possible for the audience to enjoy a performance.�
ṭyīpravṛtta� hi ṭy� prayojayet |
na hyaṅgābhinayātkiñcidṛte 岵 pravartate ||[11]
This does not mean that lokaī should not be adopted in a play. Sometimes the ٳٱ첹 屹s such as ś, dzñ and so on, evolves within the character on the stage while acting. This is possible when a person takes a particular character or even when a dancer does a particular role. Thus, the emotive aspects can be performed in a realistic manner. But, the dancer should immediately be able to shift to the mood of another character. That is why lokaī is not preferred in some instances.
In ṭyī, hand gestures are in use to depict a feeling or action, like ṃsⲹ, which can be shown for tears and ūī for wiping the tears, ṃsⲹ for goosebumps (dzñ) or perspiration (sveda), and ūī for swooning (pralaya), etc. This is ṅg첹 abhinaya, but if it is transformed to ٳٱ첹, then it will be in lokaī mode. In lokaī, the actions do not have any extra style in performing, but in ṭyī the posture, gait, speech and acting is performed in a conventional way. Lokaī realistically reflects the behavior of the people whereas, ṭyī theatrically emphasizes on the method of acting.
Kallinatha adds in the commentary of ṅgīٲٲ첹 that lokaī is based on the ٳٱ첹 abhinaya, which has the eight 屹s of sthamba, etc., and ṭyī is based on the hasta abhinaya.
sāttvikābhinaye'pi naṭena 屹yitbāsvarūpato darśitā� stambhādayo lokaī; ta eva sākṣātkṛtā hastābhinayena darśitā ṭyī |[12]
5. ṛtپ
ṛtپ is considered as the mother of all the 屹ⲹ.
sarveṣāmeva kāvyānā� mātṛkāvṛttaya� smṛtā� |[13]
They are the styles connected with the physical, verbal and mental activities of the actors in ṭy. These ṛtپs were born out of the actions of վṣn and their elements are called ṛtٲⲹṅg. Bharata adds that, these ṛtپs are the ways to ūܲٳ.
Bharata mentions that the actions of , ṅg and sattva, which are attained through ṛtپs, that are responsible for the attainment of ūṣārٳ.
Abhinava also quotes on this: He says,
ṛtپs are important aspects in creating ṭy. They are of four kinds:
�ī ṛtپ evolved from ṻ岹, ٳٱī ṛtپ from Yajurveda, 첹śī ṛtپ from 峾岹 and ṭ� ṛtپ from Atharvaveda.�[15]
ī ṛtپ—denotes the verbal style consisting of speeches and dialogues in ṭy.
Sāttvatī ṛtپ—the grand style is considered as the emotional style consisting of 屹 and rasa aspects.
Kaiśikī ṛtپ—the graceful style has elements of grace, beauty, well-dressed characters, with women, songs and dance.[16]
Ārabhaṭ� ṛtپ—the violent style consists of force, vigour and bold heroism. It has a variety of and 첹ṇa used for fighting.[17]
6. Praṛtپ
Praṛtپs are the local usages based on the four regional divisions. The practice of persons living in a particular region is different from another region. This is based on the common style regarding dress, language, customs, and behavior and so on, of the people of a region. Bharata divides the whole of ٲṣa into four geographical divisions based on the directions north, south, east and west. Based on the behavior and likings of the people of that region Bharata suggests the ṛiٳپ pertaining to that region.
Praṛtپs or the regional classifications are of four;
ٳܰ praṛtپstu proktāṭyprayoktṛbhi� |
屹Գī ṣiṇātⲹ ca pāñcalī coḍramāgadhī ||[18]
Dākṣinātyā praṛtپ pertains to the southern provinces and 첹śī ṛtپ is employed in this region. These people are fond of dance, music and instruments and this style is represented by beautiful and graceful movements of the limbs. ĀԳپ praṛtپ is the western region where ٳٱī and 첹śī ṛtپs are employed. ḍh岵ī praṛtپ pertains to the eastern region. ñ praṛtپ is the northern region where ٳٱī and ṭ� ṛtپs are employed. In this, the music is less and the gaits of the actors are slanted to one side.
Based on these instructions given by Bharata, dramas were composed in different regions using their ʰṛt languages, pertaining to the tastes of the local people. Thus, the people belonging to every region had a similar taste in enjoying a particular ṛiٳپ or style of ṭy in which a particular abhinaya was abundant that is, the people in the southern region will be interested in 첹śī vritti, which is based on the ṅg첹 abhinaya.
7. Siddhi
Bharata mentions two kinds of siddhis of a production, namely Գṣi (human) and 岹ī (divine) which are generated by speech, mental involvement and gestures relating to different emotional states.[19]
Smile, laughter, appreciation, horripulation and so on are some of the Գṣi siddhis. The enjoyment of dramatic performances by the spectator with excessive emotional participation and mental involvement is characterized as 岹ī siddhi. Even when the theatre is full with an audience and there is no sound, no agitation nor any calamity caused by elements like meteors, the experience is divine.
8. Svara
The sound which emanates from the vocal chord of a human or instruments such as ī, are classified into seven musical notes named as:
9. Āٴǻⲹ
Āٴǻⲹ refers to the instruments, which are classified into four kinds;
- tata–stringed, consists of instruments like the ī,
- avanaddha—percussion instruments such as mṛdṅg, muraja, and maddala.
- ghana—solid instruments like cymbals.
- ṣi—hollow instruments such as flute.[21]
10. Բ
The term ٳܱ comprehends all that have been used by ḥmԲ, like 岹, as the limbs of songs, ṛk, ṇi첹 and the seven kinds of ṅg with their specifications. A song of a single ū is called ܱ, while the one with two ūs is spoken of as 貹īپ첹. The song with three ūs may be known as madraka while that with four ūs is called ٳṣp岹.
ղṇa, ṅk, yatis, and layas are often related and hence they are called ܱs.
�ٳܱs are of five kinds and their names are related to the occasion of song. They are ś�entrance, ṣe貹—dDz, pdana—pھپDz, antara—transition and Ծṣk峾—e澱�.[22]
ʰ屹śī ܱ is sung during the entrance of the characters having different emotions and meanings suitable to the occasion. The song used at the end of an act, when a character is leaving the stage is called Բṣk峾ī ܱ. The ṣe辱ī ܱ is used in drutalaya and in vilambitalaya by changing the sequence. The pdikī ܱ is to pacify the emotion of the mind that is subjected to a sudden change. The antara ܱ is purported to fill up the gaps in-between various occasions like sorrow, loss of consciousness, giddiness, arranging of dress and ornaments and the like. These are the five ܱs.
11. Rṅg
The play-house is of three types namely ṛṣṭa -rectangular, ٳܰś -square and ṛyś -triangular. These play-houses are of three dimensions each; ṣṭ -large, madhya -medium and avara -small which are for Gods, Kings and ordinary people respectively.[23] Thus totally there are nine types. Their measurements are given as 108, 64 and 32 hastas (cubits i.e. 24 ṅgܱ or 18 inches) or 岹ṇḍ (4 hastas). The play-house for the humans preferred is a medium size rectangular one. The ṣāgṛh (auditorium hall) consists of the ṅgśīrsa, ṅgpīṭha, ٳٲī and Ա貹ٳⲹṛh.
Footnotes and references:
[3]:
ṭyśٰ VI. 37, 38.
[4]:
Ibid.VI.p 612,665
[5]:
Ibid.VII. 1.
[6]:
Ibid.VII. p.362
[7]:
Ibid.VI. 32.
[8]:
Ibid.VI.36
[9]:
Ibid.XXII.1.
[10]:
Ibid.VI.24.
[11]:
ṭyśٰ XIII. 83
[13]:
ṭyśٰ XVIII.4.
[14]:
Ibid.XX.com.
[15]:
Ibid.XX. 25.
[16]:
Ibid.VI. 24.
[17]:
Ibid.XX. 14.
[18]:
Ibid.XII.37
[19]:
Ibid.XXVII. 2.
[20]:
Ibid.VI.27.
[21]:
Ibid.XXVIII.1.
[22]:
Ibid.XXXII.27
[23]:
Ibid.II.11.