Essay name: Arts in the Puranas (study)
Author:
Meena Devadatta Jeste
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute Pune
This essay studies the Arts in the Puranas by reconstructing the theory of six major fine arts鈥擬usic, Dance, Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Literature鈥攆rom the Major and Minor Puranas. This thesis shows how ancient sages studied these arts within the context of cultural traditions of ancient India.
Chapter 2 - Dance in the Puranas
13 (of 43)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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- 85 - At the time of Bharata, Dance was regarded as an integral part of Drama. Bharata says in his Natyasastra "there is no wise maxim, no learning, no art or craft, no device, no action that is not found in the drama. Hence in drama meet all the departments of knowledge, different arts and various actions." 21 FOUR TYPES OF ABHINAYA
22 Drama is the imitation of actions and behaviour patterns
of people. This imitation is rich in various emotions and
depicts different situations. human nature with its joys and
sorrows, is depicted in drama by means of representation through
four types of Abhinaya. Bharata says that Abhinaya in the
dramatic performance explains the meaning of different things
together with the Sakha (Kara-vartana), the Anga and the
upanga i.e. the gestures of major and minor limbs. This
histrionic representation is fourfold: gestures and postures
(angika), words (vacika), dresses and make-up (ah膩rya) and the
Sattva. The Sattva is accomplished by the concentration of mind.
Theatrical practice is characterised by imitating human nature.
Situations of happiness as well as misery should accord with
the Sattva; and because of this Sattva, they appear realistic
(Yath膩svarupa). Horripilation, tears, pallor and the like can
only be represented with the help of the concentration of mind.
The Sattivika Abhinaya relates to states of emotion.
These four types of Abhinaya also govern the technique
of Indian dance. The angika Abhinaya (Gestures and Postures)
