Indian dancing

GLOSSARY

For convenient reference, and to supplement the explanations given in the text, meanings of Indian terms used in this book are given below. It should be appreciated that the meaning sometimes depends on context and that, while a term may have more than one meaning, more than one word may also be used to express the same thing. Terms vary, too, with dialects and schools of dancing. It would require a treatise in itself to deal comprehensively with all these variations. The glossary has therefore been kept within the

scope of this book.

Abhinaya, expression gesture play mime Adavus,a dance movement of arms and legs and head moving in co-ordinated rhythm Addiyams, movements of the hands or other parts of the body Adbhuta, mood of wonderment Abaryya, of deportment and décor Abaryya abbinaya, decorative effect such as décor and lighting Aga, majot parts [of the body], including hands, flanks, legs, head, hips, and chest Angika, of the body Angik abhinaya, bodily movements such as action and mime Annugraha, Sadashiva releasing the human soul from its cycle of re-births, through aynugraha Abpsaras, celestial dancing girls Arangetral, dance initiation Ardhbanariswara, aspect of half woman, half man Artha, intellect Asamyukta, single-hand gestures

Ascharya, amazement

. Atharva Veda, Book of Spiritual Craft

Book of Charms Avard, a single ta/a in Kathak Avatar, incarnation

Bhakti, devotional rasa (sentiment)

Bharya, wife

Bhava, intellectualism, mood, idea

Bhaya, fright

Bhayanaka, fear

Bhramacharis, {and saints] i.e. men who refrain from sexual indulgence Bols, rhythmic sequences used in

Kathak dancing Brahmins, priests Brahmari, spiral movements

Chari, gait movements

Chela, pupil

Chenda, a cylindrical drum hung from the neck

Choli, bodice

Chutti, rice-flour paste make-up used by Kathakali male dancers only

Dainic nrtya, daily dance Damaru, drum

Dakshya Jagna, Sacred Fire Ceremony

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