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Gati in Theory and Practice

by Dr. Sujatha Mohan | 2015 | 88,445 words

This page relates ‘Development and Evolution of Gati� 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.

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Development and Evolution of Gati

The works written by scholars who followed Bharata have given a variety of gaits based on ṭy, ṛtٲ and ṛtⲹ. The movements are based on moods, characterisation, space management, time factor, aesthetics and beauty. 󾱲Բⲹ岹貹ṇa deals mainly with the animal gaits and some ī that are still seen in the regional styles of Bharataṭy. Gati elements dealt with by Devanācārya, author of ṅgīٲܰ屹ī, has many important aspects to be noted. Excellent moves based on the length and breadth of the stage space known as ṛtٲgatis and rasagatis are explained. Jāyana’s is completely based on permutations and combinations of rhythm.

Thus the concept of gati has been dealt with in various centuries by different authors. The meaning of gati has taken various connotations during this period. Thus from the meaning of dramatized style of walking given by Bharata[1] imitating the movement of animals and birds by Ի徱ś,[2] the movement of covering the stage space given by Devanacārya,[3] etc. the term gati has got the meaning of rhythm and tempo based foot-work as given by Jāyana.[4] Thus, it has to be noted that gati has a wide scope of understanding and choreographic value in a performance.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

ṭyśٰ XII.

[2]:

Saṅgitamakaranda V.233-261.

[3]:

Saṅgitamakaranda V.233-261.

[4]:

ṛtٲٲ屹ī;ձ.

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