Abhinaya-darpana (English)
by Ananda Coomaraswamy | 1917 | 16,981 words | ISBN-13: 9788121500210
The English translation of the Abhinaya-darpana (鈥渢he mirror of gesture鈥�) by Nandikeshvara: an encyclopedic manual of the art of gesticulation. It belongs to a wide range of literature known as Natya-shastra: the ancient Indian art of dramatic performance, theatrics, dance and music. The Abhinaya Darpana is an abridgement of the Bharatarnava, a m...
Chapter 1 - Dialogue of Indra and Nandike艣vara
Indra.鈥擨 bow to Nandike艣vara, who dwells on 碍补颈濒腻蝉补鈥檚 mount, the ocean of the essence of compassion, who reveals the meaning of the Laws of Dancing.
狈补苍诲颈办别艣惫补谤补.鈥擶elcome to the King of the Suras! Is it well with the dwellers in heaven? What is the cause that brings you here before me?
滨苍岣峳补.鈥擳his devotee of thine, this dancer, head of the dancing-hall thy patronage adorns, has come to ask a favour. 狈补苍诲颈办别艣惫补谤补.鈥擳ell me truly and fully what I can do for you. Indra.鈥擨n the dancing-hall of the Daityas there is a dancer of the name of Nata艣ekhara. Indra seeks the Bharat膩r峁嘺va, composed by thee, that he may gain the victory over him by authentic knowledge of the skill of dancing.
狈补苍诲颈办别艣惫补谤补.鈥擧ear, then, with attention the Bharat膩r峁嘺va lore complete in four thousand verses.
Indra.鈥擮 Nandike艣vara, image of compassion, apart from that immensity, pray relate to me the authentic and entire Laws of Dancing in a more concise form.
狈补苍诲颈办别艣惫补谤补.鈥擮 wise of heart, O Deva, I reveal accordingly an abridgment of the Bharat膩r峁嘺va. Receive this simple 鈥淢irror鈥� attentively.