365bet

Gati in Theory and Practice

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

This page relates ‘Gati performed in Lasyangas� 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.

Bharata says ṅg of (dance) can be made use of in ṭa첹. They are performed individually by a dancer (like in ṇa) in a delicate manner. should be familiar, having imaginary ideas like 첹ṇa and different moods.

ṅg, which are the ancillaries of , are ten as enumerated by Bharata. They are:

  1. geyapada,
  2. ٳ󾱳ٲṻⲹ,
  3. īԲ,
  4. ṣpṇḍ󾱰,
  5. pracchedaka,
  6. ٰūḍh첹,
  7. saindavaka,
  8. 屹ūḍh첹,
  9. uttamottamaka and
  10. uktaprayukta.[1]

Bharata describes the performance of ṅg under 岹śū貹첹 and the chapters. These can be brought under the 첹śīṛtپ, which involves graceful movements of the body, song and dance sequences, and based on śṛṅgāra rasa. Abhinava says , a graceful form of dance that involves music also, happens to be a part of the ܰܳ variety of dramas.[2]

These are performed by a single dancer and are like ṇa. They are applied in ṭi첹, as they are music and dance based, along with 첹śī ṛtپ. 岵Ծٰ which is termed as ṭi첹 by scholars like Raghavan, has some references of ṅg.[3]

Abhinavagupta considers as a separate dance form of the graceful style, connected with Parvati, which with its ten forms is part of the ūṅg of the ܰܳ variety of dramas. This is explained at length in his commentary on the ⲹⲹ, where also Bharata describes the in connection with laya.[4]

Bharata says in the chapter, “It is defined as �� because of its lasanas hining nature and it relates to women and men. It could be pertaining to a single idea or based on several ideas.[5]

Here, it is connected with performances in ūṅg and is based on movements and . Bharata enumerates the , ṛtٲ, ṇ�, etc. for all the lāsyṅg and so the gaits should be performed based on these elements.

In geyapada as in plays like ṇa after the ٲ the upohana is done with three parivartanas. ʲԲ첹 is to be performed with the cācapuṭa of two followed by the parivartana. In a parivartana, the passage for men should be used first, and it should be in three sentences to be followed by another for women, which has four sentences. Thus, here the gati is based on the parivartanas on the stage, which are in the form of worshipping the 徱-. As it is connected with ūṅg, the ṅg can be performed. Abhinava adds that both uddhata and ܰܳ will be used in this.

ٳ󾱳ٲṻⲹ should have one or two verses and it should be sung in consonance with the called ٱṭa in pañcaṇ�.

The Բٲī performs the ū ī in standing position after entering.

pañcapāṇinā caccatpuṭena vā gīyamāne abhinayaṛtٲbhyā� vā yojayet |
anantaramavasāna� tadarthanirvahaṇa� ⲹ� |
drutalayena dvikalena pañcapāṇinā gātavya� nartitavyam |
śⲹ sthitayaiva bhūīthayā nartakyā paṭhyate'treti ٳ󾱳ٲṻⲹm |[6]

ĀīԲṻⲹ is recited in tṛyaśra, sitting position.

Abhinava says the ṛtٲ and abhinaya can be employed in this.

tasyāśca ṛtٲbhinayādiprayoga� |

However, we can use the ṛtٲ hastas and abhinaya hastas along with mukhaja abhinaya and Բ ٳԲ and 첹ṇa.

ʳṣpṇḍ should be in samaṛtٲ with four ԲԾٲ and ñٱṭa . For each pada there should be music and dance.

The two ṛtٲs for this are ñᲹ and Բṭa.

pāde pāde tu tasyeṣṭa� ⲹ� ṛtٲ� tathaiva ca |
ataścānye smṛta� vṛtte ñᲹnarku ṭasaṃjñite |[7]

The actions should be befitting a masculine feel and the conclusion should be with 峦ī with bold steps and expressive ṅg. The śṣa첹 for this must be pañcaṇ�. Abhinava says after each line ṣkṣa should be sung along with varieties of instruments and dance. This is like ṅg屹 and nandi.[8]

Pracchedaka consists of three limbs namely īḍiٲ, ٴṭa첹 and 峦첹.

It represents the dance relating to a heroine and having dressed up with proper ornaments she steps into sportive dance expressing various feelings like etc.

ṛtٲ� prāsādakrīḍārtha� dibhiralaṅkṛtam |[9]

Abhinava feels that this comes under ī variety of ūṅg which is based on ṛṅ rasa.

In ٰūḍh, which is in ٱṭa , the sentences should be delivered with emotions befitting a male with a dramatic manner. Abhinava opines that it should be performed with not so lenghthy uddhata ṅg, which are suitable for men. Saindhavaka is in ṛt language and should have musical accompaniments and songs. Here there should not be any text and thus there is more scope for ṛtٲ gati. In 屹ūḍh첹 the is ñٱṭa. It should represent a variety of meaning and it is of masculine nature. This can be represented by uddhata ī. Uttamottamaka should have embellishments of . Uktapratyukta abounds in anger and pleasure. All these lāsyṅg can be performed with suitable ī, ṇḍ, 첹ṇa and ṅg.

Abhinava gives references for these lāsyṅg under 岹śū貹첹 chapter. Ѳ屹ī singing to the accompaniment of ī in act one of Nāgānanda comes under geyapada. Sāgarika’s words expressing her longing and loverlornness in act two of 鲹ٲ屹ī, is ٳ󾱳ٲṻⲹ. ĀīԲ can be identified in act three where the king is introduced as seated and gesticulating love sickness and expressing the mood of a longing lover wishing to attain his object. These can be enacted with proper ٳԲ and gatis.

Bharata says, that singer or that drummer who does not know the principles of the time-measure does not measure who does not know the principle of time-measure does not deserve the name and hence one should get proficiency in .

Footnotes and references:

[back to top]

[1]:

ṭyśٰ XX.127,128.

[2]:

Ibid.XIX.p.65.

[3]:

Sanskrit Drama–Its Aesthetics and Production. V. Raghavan.p.168

[4]:

ṭyśٰ XXXI. 335 -367

[5]:

Ibid.XXXI. 331.

[6]:

Ibid XXXI. com. p.271.

[7]:

Ibid. XXXI. 347.com.p.272.

[8]:

Ibid. XXXI. com.p.272.

[9]:

Ibid.XXXI. 350.

Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Help to become even better: