Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Nose! Her serpentine nose danced through the navarasas like a mischievous character in its own Bharatanatyam performance, expressing all nine emotions without her face having to move a muscle.
“A single gesture can breathe life into an entire performance.”
The Natyashastra, India’s ancient treatise on performing arts, is a treasure trove of insights into the subtle art of expression. Among its teachings lies an often-overlooked yet powerful organ: the nasā, or the nose.
Yes, the nose!
It might not seem as expressive as the eyes or hands. Its nuanced gestures can amplify emotion, bridge the performer and audience, and refine storytelling.
Prepare to breathe life—literally and metaphorically—into your craft.
Though ironically, the nose remains one of the most stubborn organs when it comes to expressing emotions, preferring to stay stoically still while the rest of the face does all the emotional heavy lifting.
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In the previous article we discussed how to use your eyebrows to convey expressions.
इत्येवं तु भ्रुवः प्रोक्तं नासाकर्म निबोधत ।
नता मन्दा विकृष्टा च सोच्छ्वासा च विकूणिता ॥ १३०॥
ityevaṃ tu bhruvaḥ proktaṃ nāsākarma nibodhata |
natā mandā vikṛṣṭā ca socchvāsā ca vikūṇitā || 130||
Meaning:
After describing the eyebrow movements, the text transitions to the gestures of the nose, including bending, extending, and expressions involving breath.
The Six Gestures of the Nose
The Natyashastra defines six distinct gestures of the nose. Each corresponds to a specific movement of the nasal lobes and conveys subtle emotional cues. Here’s a breakdown:
स्वाभाविका चेति बुधैः षड्विधा नासिका स्मृता ।
नता मुहुःश्लिष्टपुटा मन्दा तु निभृता स्मृता ॥ १३१॥
svābhāvikā ceti budhaiḥ ṣaḍvidhā nāsikā smṛtā |
natā muhuḥśliṣṭapuṭā mandā tu nibhṛtā smṛtā || 131||
Meaning:
Natural (स्वाभाविका) movements, as understood (इति) by the wise (बुधैः). The nose (नासिका) is described (स्मृता) as having six types (षड्विधा). Bent down (नता), repeatedly contracting the nostrils (मुहुःश्लिष्टपुटा). Slow or calm (मन्दा) and steady (निभृता) is also described (स्मृता).
1. Natā (Inclined Nose)
- Description: The lobes cling momentarily to the base of the nose.
- Use: Ideal for depicting slight, restrained weeping at intervals.
Practical Tip: To execute Natā, focus on soft, rhythmic exhalations as if suppressing a sob. This gesture works beautifully in scenes where the character experiences quiet grief or nostalgic longing.
Example: Imagine a mother gently wiping away tears as she bids farewell to her child—the nose subtly inclines, conveying the depth of her emotion without overpowering the scene.
2. Mandā (Resting Nose)
- Description: The lobes remain at rest, unmoving.
- Use: Reflects discouragement, impatience, or anxiety.
Practical Tip: Maintain a neutral face while emphasizing stillness in the nostrils. Pair this with slightly furrowed brows to enhance the effect.
Example: A warrior pacing anxiously before a battle, their still nose adding a layer of suppressed tension.
विकृष्टोत्फुल्लितपुटा सोच्छ्वासा कृष्टमारुता ।
विकूणिता संकुचिता समा स्वाभाविका स्मृता ॥ १३२॥
vikṛṣṭotphullitapuṭā socchvāsā kṛṣṭamārutā |
vikūṇitā saṃkucitā samā svābhāvikā smṛtā || 132||
Meaning:
The nostrils stretched (विकृष्ट) or flared wide open (उत्फुल्लितपुटा). Breathing heavily (सोच्छ्वासा) or with a controlled air movement (कृष्टमारुता). Contracted (विकूणिता) or tightly drawn in (संकुचिता). Balanced (समा) and natural (स्वाभाविका) movements are recognized (स्मृता).
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3. Vikṛṣṭā (Blown Nose)
- Description: The lobes are blown outward.
- Use: Conveys a strange smell, breathing heavily, anger, or fear.
Practical Tip: Inhale sharply, causing a slight flare of the nostrils. For anger, pair this with clenched jaws; for fear, let your eyes widen to complete the expression.
Example: A detective suddenly catching a whiff of poison in the air or a character’s nostrils flaring in a heated argument.
4. Socchvāsā (Deep Breath Nose)
- Description: The lobes expand slightly as air is drawn in.
- Use: Represents experiencing a sweet smell or deep breathing.
Practical Tip: Relax the face and focus on slow, deliberate inhalations. Let the movement of the nostrils be subtle but visible.
Example: A lover inhaling the scent of a flower, the nose’s gentle expansion reflecting their blissful state.
5. Vikūṇitā (Contracted Nose)
- Description: The lobes contract inward.
- Use: Depicts laughter, disgust, or envy.
Practical Tip: Combine this with other facial movements, like a wrinkled nose for disgust or a broad smile for laughter.
Example: A courtier laughing uproariously at a jester’s antics or sneering in envy at another’s fortune.
6. Svābhāvikā (Natural Nose)
- Description: The nose remains in its natural state.
- Use: Appropriate for neutral or undemanding emotional conditions.
Practical Tip: Simply let the nose rest naturally. This gesture acts as a baseline, allowing the performer to seamlessly transition between more expressive gestures.
Example: A character strolling through a serene garden, at peace with their surroundings.
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How to Practice these movements?
Practicing the six gestures of the nose requires patience, focus, and consistent effort. Here’s a step-by-step guide to mastering them:
- Understand the Movements: Familiarize yourself with the descriptions and uses of each gesture.
- Start with Breath Awareness: Start by practicing controlled breathing exercises (pranayama). This helps you become conscious of how your nostrils naturally expand, contract, and rest.
- Isolate Each Gesture: Focus on one gesture at a time. For example:
- For Natā, mimic the movement of suppressing a sob.
- For Vikṛṣṭā, practice flaring your nostrils with a sharp inhale.
- Use a Mirror
- Integrate Facial Expressions: Pair the nasal gestures with corresponding movements of the eyes, mouth, and brows. For instance, combine Vikūṇitā with a smile for laughter or a sneer for disgust.
- Practice in Context: Create short scenes where you can use the gestures naturally. For example, act out a character smelling something sweet (Socchvāsā) or suppressing tears (Natā).
- Consistent Repetition: Dedicate time each day to practice. Consistency is key to mastering subtle gestures like these.
- Experiment with Variations: Once comfortable, experiment with combining gestures to depict complex emotions. For example, mix Mandā and Vikūṇitā for a character feeling both envy and anxiety.
Nose in Action: A Short Performance Exercise
- Create a short scene where a character moves through a spectrum of emotions. Start from joy (Socchvāsā) to anger (Vikṛṣṭā) to quiet sorrow (Natā).
- Record your performance and analyze the impact of the nasal gestures.
- Seek feedback from peers in the comments or your dance teacher.
- Send us your performance videos, we would love to publish them on this website with credits.
Frequently Asked Questions on Nose
The nose is referred to as “Nāsā” in Sanskrit.
The term “Nāsā” specifically denotes the nose in the context of Natyashastra and classical Sanskrit literature.
The nose can enhance expressions when synchronized with other facial movements like eyes and eyebrows.
For instance, flared nostrils (Vikṛṣṭā) paired with wide eyes can express anger or fear, while a slightly inclined nose (Natā) with lowered eyebrows can depict sadness or subtle weeping.
According to Natyashastra, the minor limbs (ūpāṅga) include:
Nāsā (Nose)
Kapola (Cheeks)
Cibuka (Chin)
Lips
Drṣṭi (Eyes)
Bhru (Eyebrows)
Yes, the nose plays a vital role in classical dance forms inspired by Natyashastra. Its subtle movements, like flaring, contracting, or resting, can convey emotions of anger, joy, sadness, or disgust, adding depth to the performance.
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Conclusion: Breathing Life Into Performance
The nasā (nose) is a minor (upanga), but its potential for subtle expression is immense. When used thoughtfully, it can elevate a performance from good to unforgettable. Don’t forget to master these six gestures and integrating them into your practice. These will help you open up a new dimension of storytelling.
So, take a deep breath—literally—and let the power of the nose transform your art. As the Natyashastra reminds us, even the smallest gestures can have the most profound impact!
About Natya-Shastra.in
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, shedding 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.
Images & Videos: Representational only, not exact depictions.
Knowledge Source & References: Inspired by ancient Natyashastra scriptures, open to interpretation.
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