Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Gaits of Animals! Step onto stage not just as a performer, but as a lion, serpent, or eagle in flight. Each gait or gati is a study in energy, emotion, and symbolism.
Get familiar with gaits.
- Gati (Gait): Unique Lessons From Natyashastra
- Gaits of Professions in Natyashastra
- Walk Like a King: Royal Gait in Natyashastra
- Erotic Sentiment Gait: Sringara Gati In Natyashastra
- Terrible Sentiment Gait: Raudra Gati In Natyashastra
- Bibhatsa Gati – The Odious Gait in Natyashastra (How-to)
- Pathetic Sentiment Gait (Karuna Gati) in Indian Classical Dance
- Marvel and Mirth: Adbhuta and Hasya Gaits in Natyashastra
- Heroic Sentiment Gait (Veera Gati): A Hero’s Walk
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What Are Animal Gaits in Natyashastra?
In Natyashastra and allied treatises like Abhinayadarpana, gati refers to the way a character moves. literally, their gait. But when we talk about animal gaits, we’re not talking about cartoonish impressions. These movements are stylized, codified, and purposeful. They bring myth, nature, and rasa to life.
Gaits were not created for realism. They were designed for drama.
Let’s walk through the main animal gaits and understand how to do each of them. Where possible, we’ll connect to relevant cārīs (stylized movements), sthānas (postures), and recakas (transitional actions).
1. Gait of the Serpent (Sarpa-gati)
यथा चूर्णपदैश्चित्रैरुपर्युपरि पातितैः ।
पन्नगानां गतिः कार्या पादैः स्वस्तिकसंज्ञितैः ॥ १०९॥
yathā cūrṇapadaiścitrairuparyupari pātitaiḥ |
pannagānāṃ gatiḥ kāryā pādaiḥ svastikasaṃjñitaiḥ || 109||
Meaning:
Just like soft and intricate powdered marks falling repeatedly one over another, the gait of serpents (pannagas) should be enacted using foot movements known as svastika.
Key Technique
- Feet Position: Svastika pada (crossed feet, resembling the swastika symbol).
- Movement: Pārśvakrāntā cārī (sideways glide) followed by recaka (circular swaying of the crossed feet).
How-To:
- Start in Svastika-pāda: Cross your feet like a swastika. Right foot in front of the left (or vice versa).
- Do Pārśvakrāntā cārī: This is a lateral movement. Glide side to side with gentle upper-body undulation.
- Add Recaka: Rotate the ankle gracefully, allowing the feet to slide and flick.
- Flow Like a Wave: Keep the spine loose. Let your torso mimic the fluidity of a snake.
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2. Gait of Birds and Beasts of Prey (Vihanga-gati)
तेषां देशानुसारेण कार्यं गतिविचेष्टितम् ।
पक्षिणां श्वापदानां च पशूनां च द्विजोत्तमाः ॥152॥
teṣāṁ deśānusāreṇa kāryaṁ gativiceṣṭitam ।
pakṣiṇāṁ śvāpadānāṁ ca paśūnāṁ ca dvijottamāḥ ॥152॥
Meaning:
O best of the twice-born (Brahmins), the movements and activities (gait and gestures) of birds, wild beasts, and animals should be enacted according to their native regions or natural habitats.
Key Technique
- Movement: Light, hopping steps (utpluti), sharp neck movements.
- Hands: Angular hastas resembling wings.
How-To:
There is no fixed cārī here. The gait is adaptive.
- Observe Nature: Mimic the qualities of the creature. Not just legs. Wings, head, eyes.
- For Birds: Extend arms as wings. Use hops and glides. Keep movement buoyant.
- For Predators (e.g., Tigers): Shoulders are active. Feet are silent. Energy is forward and low.
- Head Movements: Sharp and alert for predatory birds. Smooth and scanning for vultures.
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3. Gait of Lions, Bears, and Monkeys (Simha-Riksha-Vānara-gati)
स्वस्वजातिसमुत्थेन स्वभावेन गतिर्भवेत् ।
सिंहर्क्षवानराणां च गतिः कार्या प्रयोक्तृभिः ॥153॥
svasvajātisamutthena svabhāvena gatirbhavet ।
siṁharkṣavānarāṇāṁ ca gatiḥ kāryā prayoktṛbhiḥ ॥153॥
Meaning:
The gait should arise naturally from the innate disposition of each species. The movements of lions, bears, and monkeys should be enacted by performers according to their inherent characteristics.
Key Technique
- Stance: Ālīḍha (wide warrior pose. One leg bent, other extended).
- Movement: Heavy, deliberate steps, shoulders rolling.
How-To:
- Start in Ālīdha Sthāna: One knee bent forward, the other leg extended. One hand on the bent knee, the other placed on the chest.
- Look Around: Turn the head side to side like scanning the field.
- Chin Over Shoulder: Adds exaggeration and alertness.
- Walk: Raise feet five tālas high (approx. five beats), and place them down at the same distance.
4. Gaits for Other Animals
How-To:
- Carrying Posture: For animals carrying someone or something, hunch slightly, sway the torso.
- Entering the Stage: Keep your gait stylized but practical.
- Match Emotion to Animal: A sad elephant drags its feet. A proud peacock lifts high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right animal gait depends on the character’s personality, role, and the scene’s emotion. Study the animal’s traits, then link them with the character’s intent in Indian classical dance. Refer to ancient Indian tradition and performance art conventions for guidance.
Two-legged gaits emphasize upright balance and rhythmic footwork, often mimicking birds or humans. Four-legged gaits focus on weight distribution, low center of gravity, and grounded movement, as seen in lions or bears. The Natya Shastra and ancient Indian tradition guide these stylistic choices in Indian classical dance.
Practice each animal gait in isolation to master its rhythm and weight. Then, sequence them together, focusing on smooth weight shifts and expressive intent. Indian classical dance encourages rehearsing with mirrors, teacher feedback, and mindful observation, as outlined in performance art and Natya Shastra.
Animal gait directly shapes speed and agility. Fluid, extended gaits like the serpent’s enable stealth and grace, while bold, elevated steps like the lion’s project power. Ancient Indian tradition and performance art use these qualities to communicate character and emotion in Indian classical dance.
Animals display various gaits: slithering (serpent), striding (lion), hopping (bird), or bounding (monkey). Each differs in rhythm, footwork, and body posture, as described in the Natya Shastra dance forms and ancient Sanskrit texts. These variations enrich performance art and Indian classical dance storytelling.
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Conclusion
Mastering the gaits of animals is essential for bringing life to your performances. Each animal’s movement connects audiences to the essence of the character portrayed.
The Natyashastra guides us in embodying these movements, revealing how posture and rhythm create compelling narratives.
Snakes glide. Lions stalk. Bears lumber. Each moves in its own way. Dancers can learn from these animals. By studying how they move, dancers can improve their art.
Every step can be meaningful and real. Learn these animal movements. Practice hard. Your performances will be better.
Are you looking for gaits of specific animals? Let us know in the comments.
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At Natya-Shastra.in, our mission is to serve as a gateway to the illustrious world of the NāṭyaŚāstra. 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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Knowledge Source & References: Inspired by ancient Natyashastra scriptures, open to interpretation.
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