Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s1.t7.4

v2.c11.s1.t7.4

**Performance style** Bharatanatyam is divided into three forms: absolute dance (nritta), narrative performance (nritya) and dance drama (natya). Absolute dance consists of some basic movements. Arms help enable a geometric figure such as straight lines, right angle or triangle, legs keep half squat with both knees open, and footsteps strike the ground fast or slowly with the music, displaying the beauty of balance, symmetry and strength. Narrative performance is a higher level of performance. It requires dancers to express emotions like joy and sorrow by facial expressions, hand gestures and body movements. Dance drama is the combination of absolute dance and narrative performance. It is to tell the story according to the theme. ‘*Abhinaya Darpana*’ is a masterpiece about performance art in ancient India. It was written in 5th century BC - 2nd century BC, and has detailed descriptions about drama, dance and music. It is generally believed that ‘*Abhinaya Darpana*’ appears before ‘*Natyashastra*’, with more contents, and is the essential reference book of theory for dancers of Bharatanatyam. ‘*Abhinaya Darpana*’ makes detailed regulation of the application of different parts of the body. For example, gestures can be divided into 28 one-hand gestures and 23 two-hand gestures, and it also expounds the various usages of gestures. For example, one-hand with five fingers outstretched successively is like a blooming lotus (Alapadma), and it can also represent mountain, face, bun, moon, beauty and other meanings. The use of these gestures and sign language is fully embodied in the narrative performance of Bharatanatyam.