Set Of 3 Books : Hastha Prayogaah I Paadha Bhedhah I Nrithya Vidhya

1. Hastha Prayogaah : Complete Hand gestures with illustrations (coloured )

This book is based on the ancient Indian text-‘Abhinayadarpanam’ and illustrates the varied usages of the hasthas with special reference to the Asamyutha (single hand gestures) and the Samyutha (double hand gestures) and their applications known as Viniyogas (the vocabulary of dance gestures).

The Viniyogas form the essential grammar for the dance and constitute an essential aspect of Bharatanatyam. Permutations and combinations of Mudras (gestures) combined with the artist’s own skill can depict and interpret any idea one desires. This is an essential means of communication for the dancer.

‘HASTHA PRAYOGAAH’ lays out its content as original Sanskrit slokas, corresponding English pronunciations, word-by-word meaning and a detailed photographic guide to performing the gestures. More than 1070 colour photographs take the reader through the nuances of using the hand gestures.

The book is divided as three sections–the single hand gestures, double hand gestures and a special section on simple choreography interpretations.

The Audio and Video Support Materials, which constitute an essential part of the training envisaged for this book, are available in the form of Audio CDs and Video DVDs. Each follows the same format as the book and is completely self-explanatory.

Jayalakshmi Eshwar, a renowned exponent of the dance form, has designed a book that would be accessible and valuable for the dance student, young professional and teacher of the Bharatanatyam dance form.

2. Paadha Bhedhah : Vocabulary of feet Movements in Bharatanatyam

The beauty of the Indian Classical dance form is its vocabulary – both in terms of complex techniques and the expressions assisted by stylized hand gestures. Its grammar is deeply codified, which facilitates one to explore and express ideas and themes based on religious, traditional, mythological and contemporary concepts.

This book is based on the ancient Indian text ‘Abhinayadarpanam’ and explains the diverse language of the feet positions, making it easy and interesting for students to know about our ancient dance technique as well as the learning process of dance theory. ‘Abhinayadarpanam’ is an important text based on the Natya Shashtra written by Nandikeshwara around 1000 AD, and focusing mainly on the technique of dance. However, the literary content of the text does not have any detailed illustrations explaining a practical method to learn the hand gestures (Hasthas) and feet positions (Paadha Bhedhaah) for Indian classical dance.

The detailed, systematic illustrations of Paadha Bhedhaah (Feet movements) can be utilized by dancers belonging to any form of dance be it classical or contemporary depending on their individual capacity and creativity in expression.

The book features original Sanskrit text from the Abhinayadarpanam, with corresponding English pronunciations, word-to-word translations as well as phrasal meanings. These are accompanied by close to a thousand photographic illustrations. A multimedia DVD is also available as support material for the book, as are other publications on dance by Smt. Jayalakshmi Eshwar.

3. Nrithya Vidhya : Vocabulary of Head, Eyes and Neck Movements in Bharatanatyam

The book covers chapters from Abhinayadarpanam – the classical text on head, eyes and neck movements – with original Sanskrit verses and their English translations. Further, the book includes verbatim translations and phrasal meanings, as well as detailed photographic illustrations of the texts. Short notes on several foundational concepts of Bharatanatyam are included in the book.

Mukhaja Abhinaya, or facial expressions, are the most fascinating and significant aspect of Indian classical dance. The entire face is employed in bringing out the Bhava or mood.

The Mukhaja (facial expressions) combined with hand gestures, form the most relevant ingredients for dance communication. Hence a thorough, basic knowledge of these movements and their usages will give a student the confidence to express, explore as well as create.

Shiro Bhedhaah (head movements) imbibes within itself the facial expressions and eye movements. Thus the movements of the head, eyes and neck all work together to complete the aesthetic representation of the meaning of the lyrics.