Essay name: Hastalaksanadipika a critical edition and study
Author:
E. K. Sudha
Affiliation: Government Sanskrit College (Tripunithura) / Department of Sanskrit
This is an English study on the Hastalaksanadipika—a manual depicting the Mudras (gestures) of the Kerala theatre. It is a very popular text supposedly dating to the 10th century A.D. This study also touches the subject of Krsnanattam, Kathakali and Kutiyattam—some of India's oldest theatrical traditions in Kerala.
Chapter 7 - Vacikabhinaya according to Bharata’s Natyasastra
28 (of 29)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
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236 7
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The ślōka 'qu…� cited in the NKD as example for
raudra is not correct. As in the line 'रावण� सरोष� सहसोत्था�... [rāvaṇa� saroṣa� sahasotthāya... ] the emphasis
is on krōdha. Asōkavanikänka āṭṭaprakāra prescribes that this slōka is
to be recited in Kaisiki; the bhava as one could gather from the meaning
also corroborates the same.
8. The Kapali named Satyasoma smeared sacred ash all over his body
and wearing only a loin cloth (kaupina) dances, plays on the drum called
damaru, takes liquor from his kapāla, gives it to his wife, drinks it himself,
shouts loudly and approaches with Devasōma, with faltering, slipping
steps. This verse is hasyarasa-oriented, the play is in the dramatic
category of Prahasana; the entry is of Kapāli, the main character; the
embodiment of humour. In some texts of Mattavilasa aṭṭaprakāra there
is a clear record that this āḷāmaślõka is recited by humming and singing
it twice in Kaiśiki. Any way it is clear that the humming and singing of
this ślōka is done only in Kaisiki.
9.
In the NKD, the observation that the sloka. '-
which is an example of Indaḷa is also not correct .The first part is recited
in Indala and the second part in Ārta. There is a reason for this. When the
curtain is removed, Arjuna examines his bow and arrow, thinks, leaves a
sigh, describes the beauty of Subhadrā - the sister of Kṛṣna - and is overcome
by the arrows of Kāma. Then sṛngāra is relevant here. In the second part,
�कृष्णायाश्र्� कटाक्षवीक्षणसुखं.. [kṛṣṇāyāśrca kaṭākṣavīkṣaṇasukha�..] ' is recited in Ārta, while the first part is in
Indala.
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