Mudras are the defining feature of Bharatnatyam - the gestures that convey specific meanings and emotions. These gestures are the intricate movements of the fingers and hands, which help the dancer express various emotions - happiness, love, sorrow, anger and many more. And, for each expression, the mudras differ and each mudra holds its own significance helping the dancer narrate a story or play a specific character or express powerful emotions.
For Bharatanatyam experts, the names of these gestures or mudras come easily. For some of them remembering the names of the mudras and adavus may be a task. For the audience or a layman who doesn’t know even the basics of Bharatanatyam, the names of these expressions will be completely new. What if there is a dictionary or a book to explain all the terminologies used in Bharatnatyam?
Meet danseuse Vidya Bhavani Suresh who had come out with ‘A Comprehensive Dictionary of Bharatanatyam. ’As we sit to talk, a few minutes into our conversation her hands move up in the air to take the form of a mudra. Her eyes emote and express. A musicologist, and a company secretary by profession, danseuse Vidhya Bhavani Suresh is an author of 45 books, delving deep into the art form.
Her latest book Vidya has curated the various aspects of Bharatanatyam. As the name suggests it is a dictionary for students or aspirants who want to master the art form, explaining various mudras, adavus and their names. The book puts together 115 Bharatanatyam-related terminologies related to the classical dance form along with short definitions and images illustrated by her daughters Harshita Suresh and Mahitha Suresh.
Vidya’s images are also in the book as she explains some of the significant mudras. The images facilitate easy understanding of the dance movements, expressions and emotions.
Every terminology has a single-line definition. From the most basic of Bharatanatyam - called as Araimandi or half seated posture to salangai - the anklet worn by the dancers the book explains in detail every aspect. It also talks about four types of abhinayas, aharyas and the ornaments used by the dancers.
"The joy in performing art is fulfilled only when the audience is completely informed. The book is part of my effort to tell the world about Bharatanatyam, right from the basics to its fullest. I have alphabetically organised the terminologies," Vidya says. Published by Skanda Publications it is priced at Rs 1,330.
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