Abhinaya is common to all Classical Indian dances. Abhinaya is the expressional aspect of dance, or nritya. In contrast to this, Nritta is composed of only pure dance and will feature striking and aesthetic poses, but will have no expressional meaning and symbolism. Several people have studied these arts for several years and have done several resarches on these expressions and the symbols that the dancers potray.
Abhinaya has been very carefully analysed in the Natya Shastra and then after throrough resarch and analysis of the most finest points of dances Abhinaya have been categorised into four types:
- Angika - or physical, using movements of every part of the body to convey meaning, with hastamudras (hand gestures), mandis (postures) and even the walk of the dancer.
- Vachikabhinaya - or vocal/verbal, used formally today by members of the orchestra or supporting, non-dancing cast.
- Aharyabhinaya - or external, expression, mood and background as conveyed by costume, make-up, accessories and sets.
- Satvikabhinaya - or psychological, shown by the eyes in particular and as a whole by the entire being of the performer, who feels the mood, the character and the emotion as emanating from the self, not as an act or practical presentation.
The Navrasas:
In addition, the navarasas, or nine emotions, give all dance a completeness that allows the dancer and the rasikas (audience) to experience the full beauty and meaning of the lyrics and the movements they are portrayed by.
These emotions are expressed in the eyes, the face, subtle muscle shifts and the body as a whole. They are:
1. Hasya (happiness)
2. Krodha (anger)
3. Bhibasta (disgust)
4. Bhayanaka (fear)
5. Shoka (sorrow)
6. Veera (courage)
7. Karuna (compassion)
8. Adbhuta (wonder) and
9. Shanta (serenity).