Shiro, Drishti & Greeva Bhedhas & Anga 8

Shiro, Drishti & Greeva Bhedhas & Anga

The following describes the different shiro (head), drishti (eye) & greeva (neck) bhedhas (movements) and the categorisation of anga (body) that are used in Bharathanatyam.

Shiro Bhedha – head movements

Shira or shirasa means ”head” in sanskrit. The 9 head movements refer to the head positions when expressing a particular bhava.

1. Samam: Keep head straight
2. Udvahitam: Look up
3. Adhomukham: Look Down
4. Alolitam: Move head in a circular movement
5. Dhutam: Move head to right and left
6. Kampitam: Nod head up and down
7. Paravrittam: Turn head to the right or left briskly
8. Ukshiptam: Head is turned and raised or in a slanted position
9. Parivahittam: Small shakes of the head done quickly

Sloka:

Sama udvahitam adhomukha-lolitam Dhutam
kampitam cha paravrittam ukshiptam parivahitam
navdhakathitam shirasa natyashastra visharadaihi

Drishti Bhedha – eye movements

Drishti means ”eyes” in sanskrit. The 8 eye movements refer to the eye positions when expressing a particular bhava.

1. Samam: Keep eyes still
2. Alokitam: Roll eye balls in a circular pattern
3. Saachi: Look through the corner of the eyes
4. Pralokitam: Move your eyes side to side.
5. Nimilitam: It looks like a half shut eye, try to focus the eye ball towards the heart
6. Ullokitam: Look upwards
7. Anuvrittam: Move eyes up and down rapidly
8. Avalokitam: Look down

Sloka:

Samam Alokitam Saachi pralokita Nimility
Ullokita-anuvritte cha tatha chaiva-avalokitam
Ithyashtho drishthi bhedaha syu kirtitah purvasuribhi

Greeva Bhedha – neck movements

Attamis exude grace in abhinaya pieces or acts as an ornament in Nritta. 4 types of neck movements mentioned in AbhinayaDarpanam.

1. Sundari: Move neck side to side. It is also called as Attami
2. Tirashchina: Move neck in a V-shape
3. Prarivartita: Move neck in a semi-circle or moon-like shape
4. Prakampita: Move neck forward and back

Sloka:

Sundari cha Tirashchina tathaiva Parivartita
Prakampita cha bhavagnair gneya greeva chaturvidha

Anga – body

In dance, the body limbs are classified as Anga, Pratyanga and Upaanga. The body limbs are used differently when expressing a particular bhava.

6 Angas comprise of

• Chest
• Waist
• Bottom
• Hands
• Head
• Legs

Some Bharathanatyam experts include the neck as well.

6 Pratyangas

• Thighs
• Knees
• Shoulders
• Arms
• Stomach

Some Bharathanatyam experts include the wrists, elbows and ankles as well.

12 Upaangas

• Glance
• Eyebrows
• Eyelids
• Eyeballs
• Cheeks
• Nose
• Gums
• Lips
• Teeth
• Tongue
• Chin
• Face

Some Bharathanatyam experts include the heels, fingers, feet and palms as well.

Important Rule for Dance :

Yetho Hasta Thatho Drishti
Yetho Drishtis Thatho Manah
Yetho Manas Thatho Baavo
Yetho Baavas Thatho Rasah

Sloka Translation:

Wherever the hand goes, the eyes follow
Wherever the eyes go, the mind follows
When the mind is engaged, expression results
Where there is expression, there is beauty.

– Abhinaya Darpana, Sloka No. 247