The Art of Abhinaya: Know the Importance of Emotion and Expression in Indian Classical Dances

Diversity of India

India is a country that boasts of its diversity.

With its tapestry of vivid colours, cultures, and traditions woven together, India presents a mesmerizing picture to the world. From its snow-peaked mountains in the north to the brilliant beaches of the south, every corner of this vast county is filled with vibrant flavours.

India is also home to a mosaic of religions, embracing Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, and Christianity, and that is just a fraction of its rich history and culture. Here, language and dialects change every few kilometres without losing their linguistic symphony.

So, it is not a strange happenstance that India is home to many kinds of classical dances as well.

Classical dances

Classical dances of India have been a mesmerizing form of art since time immemorial. Woven together with grace and rhythm, it is an interpretative form of storytelling. Just like any other element of the country, Classical dances of India come in a variety.

Incorporating several distinct styles, each of them hails from different regions all over the nation. From the fluid movements of Kathak or intricate footwork of Bharatanatyam, these dances have never failed to captivate audiences with their graceful and enchanting movements. 

Each dance form is known for its unique techniques, music, costumes, and regional influence. While Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Bharatanatyam are famous for their elaborate footwork, Katthak and Manipuri are famed for their lyrical movements.

Kathakali, which originated from Kerala, is known for its elaborate getup and highly dramatic dance sequence. Know more about the classical dances of India

Abhinaya – The soul of the Indian classical dance

But no matter where they hail from and what differences we see at the surface level, they all share a common thread of storytelling with intricate body movements and facial expressions.

Coined as the term “Abhinaya”, meaning expression in Sanskrit, it is a foundation of Classical dances of India Abhinaya is the art of presenting emotions and recounting stories to bring lyrics and music to life through facial expression, body movement, and gestures alone.

The Natya Shastra, the ancient encyclopedic texts of the arts, divides Abhinaya into four parts.

1. Angika Abhinaya

Angika Abhinaya refers to the expression of emotions through body movements. With the appropriate and effective use of hands, head, eyes, face, and postures, emotions and stories are conveyed to the audience

2. Vachika Abhinaya

Vachika Abhinaya is the expression of emotions through speech and verbal communication. By reciting poems and dialogues and singing in an appropriate voice with perfect modulations, intonation, and pronunciation, dancers present a vivid story to their audience.

3. Aharya Abhinaya

Aharya Abhinaya is the art of creating a visually appealing and authentic representation of the character being played. With the use of makeup, jewellery, props, and attire, the character being portrayed is enhanced to appeal to the public.

4. Satvika Abhinaya

Considered to be the most profound and intense form of expression, Satvika Abhinaya consists of involuntary physical and emotional responses that arise spontaneously from the performer’s deep involvement with the character being portrayed.

Importance of Abhinaya

 The art of Abhinaya breathes life into the performance. It is an integral part of Indian classical dances which enables a dancer to communicate stories, evoke emotions, and captivate audiences. If you ask a devoted practitioner of this art, they give you a deep meaning and importance of Abhinaya.

1. Storytelling

Classical dances of India often narrate stories from folklore, epics, and mythologies. Emotions and articulation help dancers communicate the storyline to the viewers. Through Abhinaya, artists can depict various characters, their feelings, and the events unfurling in the narrative.

2. Rasa

Rasa, meaning “flavour” or “essence,” is a key concept in Indian aesthetics. It is that emotional flavour or sentiment evoked in the audience through artistic expression. The performer’s ability to convey the specific Rasa of a particular piece is crucial. Masters of Abhinaya can create a profound impact on the audience.

3. Bhava

Bhava is the internal sentiments and emotions a dancer experiences during a performance. Through Abhinaya, the deep internal emotions of the character and lyrics are expressed externally. This invokes an impactful performance where the audience feels connected to the dancer’s feelings.

Mudras and Facial Expressions

The intricate hand gestures you see a performer make are called “Mudras.” Combined with facial expressions, they convey specific meanings and enhance the storytelling aspect of the dance. While dancers use mudras to depict objects and actions, facial expressions enrich the performance by delivering a wide range of emotions.

1. Aesthetic appeal

The visual appeal of Indian classical dances lies in the expressive and graceful movements of the dancer. With captivating body language and facial expressions, artists can add depth and beauty to the performance and create a lasting impression on the audience

2. Connection with the Divine

Classical Dances of India are known to have ancient and spiritual roots. Dancers aim to transcend the physical realm and connect with the divine. Abhinaya embodies the expression of devotion, love, and surrender, which is an important aspect of many classical dance forms.

The art of “Abhinaya” in Classical Dances of India is a transformative and profound practice. It requires a deep understanding of music, lyrics, characters, and lore as well as the ability to portray a diverse range of emotions through gestures, movements, and facial expressions alone.

It allows dancers to convey tales, evoke emotions, and create a mesmerizing experience for the viewers. Only with the mastery of Abhinaya, dancers can infuse life into their performance, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.