Essay name: Arts in the Puranas (study)
Author:
Meena Devadatta Jeste
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute Pune
This essay studies the Arts in the Puranas by reconstructing the theory of six major fine arts鈥擬usic, Dance, Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Literature鈥攆rom the Major and Minor Puranas. This thesis shows how ancient sages studied these arts within the context of cultural traditions of ancient India.
Chapter 2 - Dance in the Puranas
29 (of 43)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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101
- enhancing the effect of the drama and evoking the sentiment (Rasa) through their theory of four types of Abhinaya. SAMANYABHINAYA Chapter 28 is named as 'Samany膩bhinaya' which describes acting in general. From this description it appears that the 'Bamanyabhinaya' is the harmonious use of four kinds of Abhinaya. Citr膩bhinaya applies only to the special representation of various objects and ideas. 36 At first the instructions are given about the
representation of five qualities of senses viz. sound, touch,
form, taste and smell, through gestures according to their
Anubhavas and natural expressions.
Then comes the representa-
tion of particular objects. The various Mudr膩s are prescribed
for the representation of bhavas including Sthayibh膩vas
occurring in different Rasas. The Abhinaya to show sky,
morning, night, evening, day, deep darkness, the moon-light,
the smoke, the fire and different seasons is given.
Chapters 30 and 31 give a very detailed description
about the Abhinaya of the various Rasas and Bh膩vas by
appropriate gestures. It is fully and elaborately discussed
by Dr. Priyabala Shah.
37 The Agni Purana in Chapter 342 describes the importance
of the four types of Abhinaya. The Purana remarks that "the
four factors viz. Sattva, Vak, Ahga and Aharana play a dominant
role in bringing out the best that exists in a dramatic
