Nandikeshvara's Abhinayadarpanam : A Manual Of Gesture And Posture Used In Hindu Dance And Drama

DETAILS : 

• Author : Manomohan Ghosh
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jyoti Enterprises
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 January 2021
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8189580477
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8189580476
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 250 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

Nandikeshvara's Abhinayadarpanam (The Mirror of Gesture) is the quintessential manual for Indian classical dance and drama. Translated and edited by the renowned scholar Manomohan Ghosh, this book is an authoritative English version of the ancient Sanskrit text that defines the grammar of Indian aesthetics.

The book is an essential resource for students of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi, covering:

• The Language of Hands (Mudras): Detailed descriptions of Asamyuta (single-hand) and Samyuta (combined-hand) gestures and their meanings.
• Body Movements: Insights into head movements (Shiro Bheda), eye glances (Drishti Bheda), and neck movements (Griva Bheda).
• Posture and Footwork: Guidelines on the various Mandala (standing postures) and Utplavana (leaps/jumps) used in performance.
• The Philosophy of Expression: How a performer should use their entire body to convey Bhava (emotion) and evoke Rasa (sentiment) in the audience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Manomohan Ghosh was a distinguished scholar of Sanskrit and Bengali, known for his monumental contributions to the study of ancient Indian drama and linguistics. He is most famous for his pioneering work in translating the Natya Shastra (the foundation of Indian performing arts), and his work on Abhinayadarpanam is considered the academic benchmark.

Ghosh’s work is characterized by:

• Meticulous Translation: He bridged the gap between archaic Sanskrit technical terms and modern English, making the text accessible to global performers.
• Historical Accuracy: His commentaries provide historical context, helping readers understand how these gestures evolved from ancient temple rituals to the modern stage.