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Mouth Gestures! Natyashastra elaborately delineates mouth gestures as a vital part of the āṅgika (angika) abhinaya (physical expression).
- These gestures breathe life into emotions and narratives on stage, enhancing the beauty and impact of the performance.
- While encompassing a vast repertoire of movements for the entire body, Natyashastra meticulously details six primary mouth gestures.
- These gestures, including the intriguing Vidhuta, Vinivrtta, and Nirbhugna, among others, contribute to a nuanced vocabulary for expressing a spectrum of human emotions.
- Mastery of these gestures is essential for dancers seeking to authentically portray the depth and intricacies of Indian classical dance and drama.
In the beautiful world of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, every small movement tells a story. Among these, the gestures of the mouth (āsya) hold a special place.
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The Six Gestures of the Mouth
1. Vidhuta — The Obliquely Open Mouth
- Description: The mouth is slightly open, slanting to one side.
- Uses: Employed in gestures of restraint or denial, like saying “not so” or “no” subtly.
- Example: Imagine a character trying to stop someone gently but firmly, like a teacher calming a restless student.
विधुतं वारणे चैव नैवमित्येवमादिषु ।
निर्भुग्नं चापि विज्ञेयं गम्भीरालोकनादिषु ॥ १५८॥
vidhutaṃ vāraṇe caiva naivamityevamādiṣu |
nirbhugnaṃ cāpi vijñeyaṃ gambhīrālokanādiṣu || 158||
विधुतं means shaken or moved sideways. वारणे चैव refers to prohibition, denial, or refusal. नैवम्-इति-एवमादिषु applies to expressions like “not so” or “this way/that way.” निर्भुग्नं indicates being straight and steady. च अपि translates to “also.” विज्ञेयं means “should be understood.” गम्भीर-आलोकन-आदिषु refers to deep or serious glances.
2. Vinivṛtta — The Spread-Out Mouth
- Description: The lips are stretched outwards, forming a wide shape.
- Uses: Best used in situations involving envy, jealousy, anger, or even bashfulness.
- Example: Picture a queen’s subtle smirk when envious of another’s beauty.
विनिवृत्तमसूयायामीर्ष्याक्रोधकृतेन च ।
अवज्ञाविवृतादौ च स्त्रीणा कार्या प्रयोक्तृभिः ॥ १५७॥
vinivṛttamasūyāyāmīrṣyākrodhakṛtena ca |
avajñāvivṛtādau ca strīṇā kāryā prayoktṛbhiḥ || 157||
विनिवृत्तम् (retracted mouth) is used for jealousy (असूया) or possessiveness. ईर्ष्याक्रोधकृतेन signifies envy and anger. अवज्ञा-विवृतादौ portrays contempt (अवज्ञा) and shock or anger (विवृत). These are effective for female characters (स्त्रीणा). Performers (प्रयोक्तृभिः) should apply them accurately.
3. Nirbhugna — The Very Much Crooked Mouth
- Description: The mouth takes on a distinctly crooked shape.
- Uses: Used when looking into depth or pondering a mystery.
- Example: A detective scrutinizing a puzzling clue, lips twisted in concentration.
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4. Bhugna — The Slightly Spread-Out Mouth
- Description: The mouth is gently curved, barely spreading outward.
- Uses: Reflects shame, despondency, impatience, or anxiety. Common in ascetic characters.
- Example: A sage meditating on life’s impermanence, exuding humility and introspection.
भुग्नं लजान्विते योज्यं यतीनां तु स्वभावजम् ।
निर्वेदौत्सुक्यचिन्तासु नये च विनिमन्त्रणे ॥ १५९॥
bhugnaṃ lajānvite yojyaṃ yatīnāṃ tu svabhāvajam |
nirvedautsukyacintāsu naye ca vinimantraṇe || 159||
भुग्नं, or bent downward, indicates modesty (लजा), shyness, or humility. For ascetics (यतीनाम्), it reflects simplicity. It is used for detachment (निर्वेद), eagerness (उत्सुक्य), worry (चिन्ता), and during negotiations (नय) or persuasion (विनिमन्त्रण).
5. Vivṛta — The Mouth with Lips Kept Apart
- Description: The lips are parted, creating an open-mouthed expression.
- Uses: Shows laughter, sorrow, or fear.
- Example: A child’s pure, unrestrained laughter or a victim’s gasp in terror.
विवृत्तं चापि विज्ञेयं हास्यशोकभयादिषु ।
स्त्रीणामुद्वाहि लीलायां गर्वे गच्छत्यनादरे ॥१६०॥
vivṛttaṃ cāpi vijñeyaṃ hāsyaśokabhayādiṣu |
strīṇāmudvāhi līlāyāṃ garve gacchatyanādare ||160||
विवृत्तं, or open/turned aside, is used to express emotions like humor (हास्य), sorrow (शोक), and fear (भय). For women (स्त्रीणाम्), a raised expression (उद्वाहि) enhances playful gestures (लीला) or pride (गर्व). It also indicates disregard or disrespect (अनादर), showing aloofness or disinterest.
6. Udvāhī — The Turned-Up Mouth
- Description: The mouth is slightly raised upwards.
- Uses: Perfect for portraying sportiveness, pride, or disdain. Also used in saying “go away” or expressing disregard.
- Example: A proud warrior’s smirk as they dismiss an opponent.
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Harmonizing Mouth Gestures with Glances
As per the Natyashastra, the mouth’s expressions should align seamlessly with the eyes. For instance:
- Sama Glance (level gaze): Combine with a neutral or slightly spread-out mouth to show calm or focus.
- Sācī Glance (sideways look): Pair with a crooked or obliquely open mouth for mischief or slyness.
Practical Applications for Performers
Enhancing Character Depth
The mouth can add layers to a character’s personality. For example:
- Envious Villain: Use Vinivṛtta with narrowed eyes to evoke jealousy.
- Pensive Philosopher: Employ Nirbhugna alongside a Sama glance to show contemplation.
Amplifying Emotional Impact
Mouth gestures make emotions tangible. Combine Vivṛta with a downward glance to portray grief or fear vividly.
Building Scene Dynamics
Gestures like Udvāhī can shift the tone of a scene. Imagine a playful banter where one character’s turned-up mouth conveys teasing pride.
Exercises to Perfect Mouth Gestures
- Mirror Practice: Stand before a mirror and alternate between the six gestures. See how each changes your facial expression and emotional tone.
- Emotion-Matching: Pick an emotion and experiment with different mouth gestures. Notice which ones feel natural and which challenge your portrayal.
- Scene Integration: Recreate a dramatic scene, consciously incorporating mouth gestures. Focus on aligning them with your gaze and body language.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Natyashastra is an ancient Sanskrit text on performing arts, authored by Bharata.
It is a comprehensive guide covering drama, dance, and music, offering detailed insights into gestures, movements, and expressions. This work serves as the foundation for classical Indian dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi.
Mouth gestures play a vital role in enhancing the storytelling aspect of Indian classical dance.
Subtle variations like the Vidhuta (obliquely open mouth) or Vivṛta (open mouth with parted lips) allow dancers to convey a spectrum of emotions, from restraint to fear.
These gestures amplify the emotional depth of the performance, helping the audience connect with the story on a profound level.
The Vidhuta gesture, where the mouth is obliquely open, is used to express restraint or a gentle denial, like saying “no” softly. Depending on the context, it can also depict disapproval, lighthearted teasing, or even deep contemplation. For instance, a scene where a character quietly rebuffs other person’s advances or ponders a perplexing thought.
– Vinivṛtta: This spread-out mouth gesture is employed to express intense emotions like envy, anger, jealousy, or bashfulness. Imagine a performer portraying a jealous rival with a wide, disdainful expression.
– Nirbhugna: A distinctly crooked mouth, the Nirbhugna conveys focus, depth, or concentration. It is often used in scenes where a character is scrutinizing a mystery or deeply engrossed in thought.
To master mouth gestures like those in the Natyashastra, dancers need dedicated practice under the guidance of experienced teachers. Steps to integrate these gestures include:
– Understanding Context: Learn the emotional or narrative context behind each gesture.
– Practicing in Front of a Mirror: See how each movement transforms your facial expressions.
– Synchronizing with Glances and Movements: Combine mouth gestures with matching eye and body movements to create harmony.
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Conclusion
The art of mouth gestures in Natyashastra is very important in Indian classical performances. Learning gestures like Vidhuta, Vinivṛtta, and Nirbhugna helps actors show deep emotions and portray different feelings.
These old techniques add to the beauty of classical Indian art forms. They make the storytelling and characters more engaging.
Take the time to discover Natyashastra. You will appreciate the beauty and detail of these classic gestures that still impress audiences today.
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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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