Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Heroic Sentiment Gait / Veera Gati. “Where the spirit is without fear and the head is held high…” This iconic line from Tagore resonates deeply with the essence of Veera, the heroic sentiment, in Indian classical dance.
It’s a powerful declaration, a physical manifestation of courage, determination, and boundless energy. Natyashastra discusses this very gait of the hero, the Veera Gati.
What is Veera Gati or Heroic Sentiment Gait?
Veera (Vīra) Gati is the walk of the fearless. It is rooted in Vīra Rasa (Heroic Sentiment). This gait is meant to express confidence, readiness, authority, and action. Every step is a statement. The gait is imbued with a distinct vigor and purpose. It speaks of power, resolve, and an unwavering spirit.
Moving ahead from Bibhatsa Gati and Sringara Gati…
अथ वीरे च कर्त्तव्या पादविक्षेपसंयुता ।
द्रुतप्रचाराधिष्ठाना नानाचारीसमाकुला ॥ ५७॥atha vīre ca karttavyā pādavikṣepasaṃyutā |
drutapracārādhiṣṭhānā nānācārīsamākulā || 57||
Meaning:
In the Vīra (heroic) sentiment, the gait must be performed with purposeful foot-lifts. Founded on fast-paced movement, enriched with a variety of Cārīs (leg movements).
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पार्श्वक्रान्तैद्रुताविद्धैः सूचीविद्धैस्तथैव च ।
कलाकालगतैः पादैरावेगे योजयेत् गतिम् ॥ ५८॥pārśvakrāntaidrutāviddhaiḥ sūcīviddhaistathaiva ca |
kalākālagataiḥ pādairāvege yojayet gatim || 58||
Meaning:
In moments of mental intensity, the gait should be composed of steps rooted in rhythm and timing (kalā-kāla). Use Pārśvakrāntā, Āviddhā, and Sūcī Cārīs performed with force and velocity.
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How to do Veera Gati?
Veera Gati demands a holistic approach, integrating the entire body, mind, and spirit.
Stance and Posture
The foundation of Veera Gati lies in a strong, grounded posture.
- Upright and Assertive: The torso should be held erect, chest slightly lifted, shoulders back but relaxed. Avoid any slouching or timid postures.
- Grounded Legs: Feel firmly rooted to the earth. The legs should convey strength and readiness, not stiffness.
Footwork and Cārīs
The specific Cārīs mentioned are crucial. Let’s explore how to execute them within the Veera context.
- Pārśvakrāntā: This Cārī involves one foot moving to the side while the body subtly shifts. For Veera Gati, execute this with sharpness and intention. Imagine a deliberate sidestep, perhaps to evade an attack or to command attention. The movement should be swift and clean, not hesitant.
- Example: A general surveying his troops, taking a decisive step to the side to talk to a specific group.
- Āviddhā: This Cārī involves a circular movement of the foot and leg. In Veera, this Āviddhā is executed with force and dynamism. It’s a powerful sweep, perhaps indicating a readiness to pivot or attack. Think of the power generated from the hip.
- Example: A warrior delivering a powerful kick. Or a king making a sweeping gesture with his leg to emphasize a point.
- Sūcī: This Cārī involves the toe of one foot touching the ground. It is often used for marking a point or for quick, precise movements. For Veera, Sūcī is characterized by precision and quickness. It can be used to emphasize a sudden decision, a quick change of direction, or a moment of intense focus.
- Example: A skilled archer quickly adjusting their stance before releasing an arrow. Or a commander pointing out a strategic location on a map with a precise foot placement.
Tempo and Rhythm (Kalā and Tāla)
The verses emphasize Kalā and Tāla even in excitement. This is vital.
- Druta Prachāra (Swift Movement): The overall tempo for Veera Gati is generally swift. This doesn’t mean uncontrolled speed. It means a brisk, purposeful pace.
- Controlled Excitement: When portraying “mental excitement” (āvega), the movements become more intense and rapid. But they stay within the rhythmic framework. The dancer doesn’t lose control of the Tāla. This control distinguishes heroic power from mere agitation.
- Example: A warrior charging into battle. The movements are fast and furious, yet each step is deliberate, each strike powerful and timed.
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Use of Arms and Upper Body
The “swift brandishing of arms” complements the leg movements.
- Strong Hastas (Hand Gestures): Hands should be active and expressive, reflecting the sentiment of courage, command, or defiance. Hasta mudras like Pataka, Tripataka, or Ardhachandra can be used with strength and conviction.
- Expansive Gestures: The arms should be used expansively, indicating a sense of space and dominance. Avoid constricted or small movements.
- Gaze and Facial Expression: The eyes should be focused and unwavering, reflecting determination. The facial expression should convey courage, confidence, and perhaps a hint of righteous anger or fierce resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Veera Gati is known for its quick footwork. It uses different Cārīs like Pārśvakrāntā, Āviddhā, and Sūcī. This style puts a lot of focus on showing courage. It is not like other gaits. It mixes both strong rhythm and deep feeling. This makes the dance look and feel braver and more powerful.
In Veera Gati, kalā means to focus on the exact way a person moves. Tāla is about the beat or rhythm, and this brings out the feelings in how a hero walks. When these come together, they show a strong and brave story through dance. The moves are lively and planned, which gets people interested and draws them in.
The heroic sentiment gait is seen a lot in Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, and Kuchipudi. In these forms, people use this strong way of moving to show mythic characters, brave feelings, and drama. You can see it in both single and group performances.
Quick arm moves in Veera Gati help show both bravery and quickness. They work with the footwork to keep everything balanced and lively. This mix shows being ready and fast to make choices. It is like how players need to reposition quickly during a game.
To truly get better, you need to keep working on rhythm, how you stand, and how you show feelings. It is good to use strict Kalā and Tāla patterns and also do drills that help you move better. This gives you more skill. When a dancer fully feels the heroic Rasa, they make their dancing feel real and true.
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Final Thoughts
The Veera Gati from the Natyashastra is a profound lesson in conveying heroic sentiment through movement. It’s a powerful blend of swiftness, precision, and controlled energy, guided by specific Cārīs and a deep understanding of rhythm.
In the Natyashastra, verses 57 and 58 talk about how the gait is done. They show how much rhythm and working together matter while doing it.
When dancers learn Pārśvakrāntā, Āviddhā, and Sūcī Cārīs, they can show feelings better on stage.
Learning Veera Gati adds more choices for the dancer and helps them know more about the story in classical dance. If dancers work on these things, they can truly show what it means to be hero-like.
I encourage you to explore these principles in your own practice. What stories will your heroic gait tell?
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