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
A Mudra is a symbolic hand gesture used in Hindu and Buddhist iconography, performing arts, and spiritual practice, including yoga, dance, drama and tantra. There are a total of 28 mudras in the Abhinaya Darpan or the The Mirror of Gesture. It mentions that the dancer should sing the song by the throat, express the meaning of the song through hand gestures, … Continue reading Hasta Bheda : Speaking Through Mudras
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 rightTiraschina– neck movement from center to left corner then center to right cornerParibartita– neck movement from left side to right side (like offering namaz)Prakampita– neck … 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
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
While we sit and admire a dancer move, there are so many things that cross our minds. Her stamina, flexibility, strength, agility and of course her beauty. As dancers we can peek below the surface and imagine how many strenuous hours of training has gone into executing a perfect performance. But is just practice enough to build a … Continue reading What’s on your plate?
Makeup and prep for stage is a long and precise process. It takes hours to build on the layers of makeup that will brighten your face and keep it that way throughout a very demanding stage performance. The top layer of stage makeup usually melts away with the focus of harsh lights on the dancer’s … Continue reading Skin, Makeup & Glow
Dance is a blessing to us in more ways than I can list. The one I appreciate the most is that dance gives us a better understanding of ourselves. Every body is different. The one and only way to keep yourself fit is to understand how much of what your body needs. Keeping ourselves fit is about … Continue reading Are you Dancer Fit ?
Odissi is a sensual, lyrical and exceptionally graceful dance. Every aspect of odissi focuses on bringing out the intricacies of movement in dance. The costume, jewellery and makeup for odissi also reflect the same subtle nuances of the dance form. The Saree worn by Odissi dancers are characterised by features of traditional prints of … Continue reading The Glorious Odissi Sari
The greatness of a story lies in how many times it can be retold. How many versions of the story can be made without ruining its essence. Romeo & Juliet, Cinderella, Lion King, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Each of these stories have been the subject of books, plays, movies, animated movies and musicals. It takes … Continue reading Celebrating Artists – Nirupama & Rajendra