Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Aerial Mandalas! Among the most mesmerizing yet least understood aspects of classical Indian dance are the Aerial Mandalas (Ākāśa Mandalas). These dynamic patterns show intention, control, and storytelling through air.

“Gesture is everything in drama. Without movement, there is no rasa.”

– Bharata Muni, Natyashastra

What Is a Mandala?

In the Natyashastra, a mandala (मण्डल) is a “circular pattern or combination”. It is created through the sequencing of specific Charis (carīs are basic locomotor dance movements).

There are bhūmi (earth-based) mandalas and ākāśa (aerial) mandalas.

Read the full article about Mandala here.

Exploring 10 Aerial Mandalas of Natyashastra

The aerial mandalas are also known as ākāśa mandalas. To make these, dancers need to move with the right cārīs like the Bhramarī and Sūcī. These moves bring both elegance and strength together. Check out the 32 Charis here.

These patterns are made to wow people with the way they look but also to help dancers show fight stances.

They can be used in plays. Each mandala requires skill from old Indian dance ways. Let us look more into these special art forms and see what makes them stand out.

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अतिक्रान्तं विचित्रं च तथा ललितसञ्चरम् ।
सूचीविद्धं दण्डपादं विहृतालातके तथा ॥ २॥

atikrāntaṃ vicitraṃ ca tathā lalitasañcaram |
sūcīviddhaṃ daṇḍapādaṃ vihṛtālātake tathā || 2||

Meaning:

Atikrānta, Vicitra, Lalita-Sañcara, Sūcīviddha, Daṇḍapāda, and Vihṛta-Ālātaka. These are the types (of Mandalas or movement formations).

1. Atikrānta (अतिक्रान्त) (The Overstep)

This is expansive and athletic. It includes multiple shifts in direction and mood. Use it to depict characters entering boldly, advancing into battle, or facing dilemmas.

Cārī Sequence:

1. Janitā cārī with the right foot
2. Śakaṭāsyā cārī with udvāhita (lifted) chest
3. Alātā cārī with the left foot
4. Pārśvakrāntā cārī with the right
5. Sūcī cārī with the left
6. Apakrāntā cārī with the right
7. Sūcī cārī again with the left
8. Bhramarī cārī (with a trika turn)
9. Udvṛtta cārī with the right foot
10. Alātā → Bhramarī cārī (left)
11. Alātā again
12. Daṇḍapāda cārī (final beat)

Tip:

Feel the “overstepping” nature. Use elevated knees, forceful hops, and fast turns to push through space. The shifts should feel like wind breaking through clouds.

2. Vicitra (विचित्र) (The Varied One)

This is ornate and zigzagging. It is mostly rapid alternations, it suits playful or mischievous characters.

Cārī Sequence:

1. Janitā (right foot)
2. Talasañcara/Nikuṭṭana (right foot)
3. Syanditā (left foot)
4. Pārśvakrāntā (right)
5. Bhujaṅgatrasitā (left)
6. Ātikrāntā → Udvṛtta (right)
7. Sūcī (left)
8. Vikṣiptā (right)
9. Apakrāntā (left)

Tip:

Work on sudden direction changes. Make every shift a surprise. Let the torso bounce and rebound like a silk scarf.

3. Lalitasañcara (ललितसञ्चर) (The Graceful Traverse)

This one is fluid and composed. Ideal for heroines, apsarās, or dream sequences.

Cārī Sequence:

1. Sūcī (right, with knee raised)
2. Apakrāntā (left)
3. Pārśvakrāntā (right)
4. Sūcī → Bhramarī (left)
5. Pārśvakrāntā (right)
6. Atikrāntā → Bhramarī (left)

Tip:

Lilt like a gentle breeze. Do not rush transitions. Let each movement melt into the next.

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4. Sūcīviddha (सूचिविद्ध) (Pierced with the Needle)

Tight, compact, sharp. This is about agility and concentration.

Cārī Sequence:

1. Sūcī → Bhramarī (left)
2. Pārśvakrāntā (right)
3. Ātikrāntā (left)
4. Sūcī (right)
5. Apakrāntā (left)
6. Pārśvakrāntā (right)

Tip:

Imagine piercing the air. Use the trika (hip area) turn as a pivot to snap direction quickly.

5. Daṇḍapāda (दण्डपाद) (Staff-like Feet)

Forceful and grounded. Shows power, battle-readiness, or divine assertion.

Cārī Sequence:

1. Janitā → Daṇḍapāda (right)
2. Sūcī → Bhramarī (left)
3. Ūrūdvṛtta (right)
4. Alātā (left)
5. Pārśvakrāntā (right)
6. Bhujaṅgatrastā → Atikrāntā (left)
7. Daṇḍapāda (right)
8. Sūcī → Bhramarī (left)

Tip:

Drive your energy downward. Stamp and twist with control. Visualize a warrior planting a flag.

6. Vihṛta (विहृत) (The Sportive)

This one is spirited and unpredictable. Excellent for depicting divine play (līlā) or enchanted forests.

Cārī Sequence:

1. Janitā → Nikuṭṭana (right)
2. Syanditā (left)
3. Ūrūdvṛtta (right)
4. Alātā (left)
5. Sūcī (right)
6. Pārśvakrāntā (left)
7. Ākṣiptā → Bhramarī → Daṇḍapāda (right)
8. Sūcī → Bhramarī (left)
9. Bhujaṅgatrasitā (right)
10. Atikrāntā (left)

Tip:

Laugh with your body. This mandala is joyous.

7. Alāta (अलात) (Spinning Firebrand)

Revolving and continuous. Reflects trance, fire, or powerful nature spirits.

Cārī Sequence:

1. Sūcī (right)
2. Apakrāntā (left)
3. Pārśvakrāntā (right)
4. Alātā (left) (repeat 6–7 times)
5. Apakrāntā (right)
6. Atikrāntā → Bhramarī (left)

Tip:

Repetition is key. Don’t let your energy drop. Revolve like fire around a central axis.

वामबन्धं सललितं क्रान्तञ्चाकाशगामि च ।
मण्डलानि द्विजश्रेष्ठाः ! भूमिगानि निबोधत ॥ ३॥

vāmabandhaṃ salalitaṃ krāntañcākāśagāmi ca |
maṇḍalāni dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ ! bhūmigāni nibodhata || 3||

Meaning:

Vāmabandha, Salalita, Krānta, and Ākāśagāmi. O best of twice-born (Brāhmaṇas), know these as the terrestrial (Bhūmigāni) mandalas (movement formations on the ground).

8. Vāmaviddha (वामविद्ध) (Struck on the Left)

This is diagonally inclined. The name suggests asymmetry or an unbalanced strike.

Cārī Sequence:

1. Sūcī (right)
2. Apakrāntā (left)
3. Daṇḍapāda (right)
4. Sūcī (left)
5. Bhramarī → Pārśvakrāntā (right)
6. Ākṣiptā (left)
7. Daṇḍapāda → Ūrūdvṛtta (right)
8. Sūcī → Bhramarī → Alātā (left)
9. Pārśvakrāntā (right)
10. Atikrāntā (left)

Tip:

Keep your shoulders tilted, never squared. Dance like a bow being drawn sideways.

9. Lalita (ललिता) (The Elegant)

As the name suggests, this mandala is meant to be charming and unhurried.

Cārī Sequence:

1. Sūcī (right)
2. Apakrāntā (left)
3. Pārśvakrāntā → Bhujaṅgatrasitā (right)
4. Atikrāntā → Ūrūdvṛtta (left)
5. Alātā (left)
6. Pārśvakrāntā (right)
7. Atikrāntā (left)

Tip:

This is a gliding mandala. Lower your gaze, soften your hands, and float.

10. Krānta (क्रान्त) (The Gait)

This is the simplest and the most natural-looking of the aerial mandalas. Perfect for entrances and exits.

Cārī Sequence:

1. Sūcī (right)
2. Apakrāntā (left)
3. Pārśvakrāntā (right)
4. Pārśvakrāntā (left) (repeat around in all directions)
5. Sūcī (left)
6. Apakrāntā (right)

Tip:

This is walking, but stylized. Keep even tempo. Let your walk tell a story. Who are you, where are you going?

Final Thoughts

The ten aerial mandalas from the Natyashastra show how dance can be both athletic and creative. Each mandala highlights the long history of Indian classical dance.

These styles let people share feelings and stories by floating in the air. These lovely moves build the dancer’s skill. And they also keep the crowd interested and pull them into a special world of expression.

Enjoy this art form and look closely into the many details of these aerial mandalas. If you want to raise your dance to the next level, you can try classes that teach these amazing styles!

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At Natya-Shastra.in, our mission is to serve as a gateway to the illustrious world of the Natyashastra. We offer insights, resources, and a platform to delve deeper into the nuances of Indian performing arts.

Also, we aim to bring forth the richness of this ancient text. We try to shed light on the profound wisdom it holds and its everlasting influence on various artistic traditions.

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NatyaShastra Glossary: Head over to the Natyashastra Glossary page to know the meaning behind Sanskrit terms used in the articles.

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