Neck movements are called Grivabeda. Neck movements are an integral part of most Indian classical dance form. There are four types of grivabeda Sundari– continuous neck movement from left to right Tiraschina– neck movement from center to left corner then center to right corner Paribartita– neck movement from left side to right side (like offering … Continue reading Griva Bheda: Movement of the neck

Drishti in sanskrit means “vision”. Drishti Bedha’s help us classify different eye movements depending on how we move our eyeballs. We use each of these different movements in our daily life, but they also have their own identification. In classical dance, there are a total of nine types of eye movements. Some are obvious and … Continue reading Drishti Bheda: Connecting through the eyes

Head movements are called shiro Bheda. The head movements refer to the head positions, while expressing a particular bhava. There are nine types of head movements. Application: Pride, paralysis, inaction, affection, anger (narasimha Avatara) Application: Shyness or modesty, sorrow, bowing, evil thought, fainting,looking at objects on the earth, a plunge into the water (kalia) Application: … Continue reading Shiro Bheda : Classification of Head movements in odissi

How many roles do dancers play? Not on stage but offstage. Away from the limelight and away from what you see from the outside. Being a classical dancer I have come to realize that staying relevant and staying connected are my biggest challenges. When I say ‘connected’ I mean putting yourself out there. Make yourself accessible … Continue reading Stay connected, stay relevant