Head movements - Part-2

Dance and Music are part of everyone’s life. Festivals become festive and complete only with music and dance. They are also considered as forms of worship. While doing Pooja for Gods and Goddesses, there will be verses, ‘Geetham sravayaami’, meaning, ‘offer music’. ‘Nrttam Darsayaami’, meaning, ‘offer or perform dance’. As I said, music and dance are part of worship. Most songs performed in classical music and dance are related to God and religion. There are some which are patriotic, which have the same sanctity as God and religion.

Today (15^th of August) is India’s Independence Day. This is celebrated not only with flag hoisting but also with music and dance, all patriotic. Patriotic songs of Subramanya Bharathi are my favorite. His ‘Aaduvome Pallu Paduvome’ says that we should sing and dance in happiness that we have got Independence. He left this world long before we got Independence. But, his songs live on as we sing them every Independence Day.

We will continue with the head movements.

5. KAMPITHA

Usages – 1. Express comprehension, 2. consent, 3. Anger, 4. Reasoning, 5. Questioning in haste.

Definition – Shaking of the head up and down in quick succession.

6. AKAMPITHA

Usages – 1. Introducing somebody, 2. Giving instructions 3. Offering a seat to someone.

Definition – Shaking the head twice, leisurely.

7 .UDVAAHITHA

Usage – 1. Denoting one’s confidence in his or her own abilities.

Definition – Raising of the head once.

8. PARIVAAHITHA

Usages – 1. Express wonder, 2. In laughter, 3. Jocular pranks with a lover, 4. Approval.

Definition – Revolving of the head on all sides in a circle.

We will continue ‘Head movements’ next week.

Quiz on music and dance should be conducted very frequently for students, to get more knowledge in the field. Once, I had the opportunity to do so. But it needs to be done frequently by many people in many places to make it a success. They should be conducted more in smaller places, for the students with less exposure to the field.

Movements of Head - Part - 1.

Looking at someone, we can find out, whether they are angry, sad, happy, indifferent, proud, afraid etc, etc. How? By looking at their body language. This body language is handled beautifully by Bharatha in Natya Shastra. Movements of the body parts and their usages are based only on this. You will be amazed to find out, that even the minutest of detail is never left out. Nothing, absolutely nothing is forgotten.

There are nineteen head movements mentioned in Natya Shastra. I am going to mention the names, few usages and definitions side by side. I am going to explain the usages and then give the definition. This will give a better understanding than giving the definition first.

1. DHUTA

Usages – 1. Looking from side to side. 2. Restlessness. 3. Sorrow. 4. Saying no.

Definition – Head slowly moving from side to side.

2. VIDHUTA

Usages – 1. Shivering with cold, 2. Having fever, 3. Fear or terror striken state.

Definition – Swiftly moving the head from side to side.

3. AADHOOTA

Usages – 1. Self-confident state, 2. Feeling proud about one’s own looks.

Definition – Head raised upwards one side.

4. AVADHOOTA

Usages – 1. Conversation with someone, 2. To ask somebody to sit.

Definition – Head lowered once (Nodding).

We will continue next week.

When teachers try to explain something to their students, it should always be done with an example. First give the examples and then give the definition. That is exactly what I have followed here. First, I have given the usages and then the definitions. This will definitely create a better understanding of what is being taught. See you all next week. 

Learning and Mastering Basics.

How important is it to learn the basics? In school we start with the alphabets. In music, with the seven notes, ‘SA, RI, GA, MA, PA, DA, NI’. In dance, with the Adavus or Steps. Learning is not just memorizing. Learning is mastering every detail, so that you become ready for application, for creating quality outputs. Everything has to be done step by step to achieve what you want.

Why did I talk about step by step learning? Let me explain. In my last post I said I will be talking about the 108 Karanas one by one. But then I realized, for that we need to first deal with the movements of each part of the body separately. Not just the movements, but also the usages of every movement of different parts of the body are clearly given in our Natya Shastra.

Parts of the body are divided into ‘The Principal limbs (Angas) and The Subsidiary limbs (Prathyangas). The principal limbs are 6 in number. 1. The head, 2. The hands, 3. The chest, 4. The sides, 5. The hip and 6. The feet. The subsidiary limbs are also 6 in number. 1. The neck, 2. The arms, 3. The back, 4. The belly, 5. The thighs and 6. The knees.

The limbs are again divided into ‘Parts of the limbs’. The head is divided into 12 parts.  They are 1. Sight, 2. Eye-brows, 3. Eye-lashes, 4. The pupils, 5. The cheeks, 6. The nose, 7. The breadth, 8, The lips, 9. The teeth, 10. The tongue, 11. The chin and 12. The face. The other ‘Parts of limbs’ mentioned are, 1. The heels, 2. ankles, 3. The toes, 4. The fingers, 5. The palms and 6. The soles. We will start the details in our next post.

How do we measure success or achievements? Is it the money or the fame or self satisfaction?  I think, each one measures it in a different way. All the above three are very important. I think it is more than the above three. Thirst to learn more! Michael Angelo, the greatest Italian Artist (Painter and Sculptor), at his age of 90 said that he never attained the perfection he wanted! Also we should remember, everything else is success except quitting. Every time you fail, make sure you fail better. Then, you are on the right path towards success.