Gati in Theory and Practice
by Dr. Sujatha Mohan | 2015 | 88,445 words
This page relates ‘Observations based on Natyashastra� of the study on the Theory and Practice of Gati (“gait�) which refers to the “movement of a character on the stage�, commonly employed (as a Sanskrit technical term) in ancient Indian Theatrics and the Dramatic arts, also known as Natya-shastra. This thesis explores the history and evolution of Gati and also investigates how the various Gatis are employed in regional performance traditions.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Observations based on ṭyśٰ
The ṭyśٰ is the primary source for all kind of research works connected with drama, dance and music. The researcher has done a complete survey of the available texts on ṭy, analysed the gati aspect in these texts and has taken ṭyśٰ to revive the elements of gati through and 첹ṇa, as it has a wide range of scope. Gati aspects in the ū貹첹, upaū貹첹 and practice of regional forms are also identified. Application of gati in Sanskrit dramas of Bhasa and Kalidasa is explained.
The ṭyśٰ gives a detailed description of the aspects of ṭy in all conceivable manners. The technique of gati, which is a combination of the elements of ṅg, ٲṅg and ܱṅg and cadences such as ٳԲ, , ṇḍ, 첹ṇa, ṅg, 辱ṇḍīԻ and so on, are elaborated in ṭyśٰ.
1. Āṅgika abhinaya is an element of ṭy
The ṭyśٰ speaks of eleven elements of ṭy. Abhinaya, the histrionic representation is the essential one among them. Gati comes under ṅg첹 abhinaya, expression through the body. Here, every part of the body that comes under ṅg, ܱṅg and ٲṅg variety are responsible for the action collectively.[1]
There is a combination of the movements of the limbs known as śīᲹ, the facial expression that is mukhaja and the actions like standing, sitting and walking, which is ṣṭṛt.[2]
trividhastvāṅgikojñeya� śārīro mukhajastathā |
tathā ṣṭṛtścaiva śākhāṅgopāṅgasaṃyuta� ||
The correlated movements of the legs and ٲṅg of the legs are given the name as ī[3] and the correlated movements of the hand and ٲṅg of the arms are given the name as ṛtٲٲ.[4]
2. ṛtٲ is an element of ṅg첹 abhinaya
Ś, branching out of arms and ṅkܰ, sprouting of expressions along with ṛtٲ the dance, forms the structure of ṅg첹 abhinaya. Ś represents the abhinaya hastas (which has a particular literal meaning and can be used for depicting different actions), ṛtٲ hastas (beautifying hand movements), karavartanas (stretches of arms in various directions) and hasta 첹ṇa (wrist movements) and of course the movement of other limbs along with the hands. The abhinaya hastas are very much responsible for giving the meaning of the word, and depicting the ideas such as holding a flower basket (ṣpṭa),[5] and plucking the flowers (ṭa峾ܰ), etc. These have to be used in citra abhinaya and the ṛtٲ hastas in ṛtٲ.[6] ṅkܰ can be through mukhaja abhinaya like 屹 (emotion expressed by eyes, and brows) and (graceful movements suggestive of amorous sentiment)[7] and ṛtٲ refers to the dance movement of the whole body. ṛtٲ is the abstract movement of the body, which can be made expressive only when combined with hasta or mukhaja or sāttvika abhinaya.
3. ṇa is a unit of ṛtٲ
Bharata defines 첹ṇa as a unit of ṛtٲ. These are called ṛtٲ첹ṇa. He says ṛtٲ consisting of 첹ṇa and ṅg, are to be used in pūrvārṅg as an ancillary for the songs.[8]
ṇas, which are the elements of ṅg, come under the performance of ṛtٲ.
Abhinava adds,
ṅghāraeva ṛtٲ� prayogaphala� prasūte |
tadaṅgādīni tu 첹ṇān ||[10]
4. ṛtٲ첹ṇa depicts ٳ abhinaya
ṛtٲ that consists of the 첹ṇa and ṅg, based on the cadences of movements of the body, are used to beautify the drama and as offerings in worship of Gods. According to Abhinava and Śṅg𱹲, all the 첹ṇa are explained with uses and the author mentions that these can be used for depicting the ٳ abhinaya.[11]
5. Gati can be performed with , ṇḍ and 첹ṇa
Bharata states that īs, ṇḍ and 첹ṇa can be used in ṛtٲ, yuddha, niyuddha and gati parikrama.[12]
Abhinava quotes some other scholars opinion also.
yathāyogamabhinayāntarāle gatiparikrama tālāntarasandhāne yuddhaniyuddhaīsthanakesañcare vā prayoga iti | etacca sarvatra anusaraṇīyam |[13]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Infra–Introduction. P.3
[2]:
ṭyśٰ VIII.11.
[3]:
Infra 1.7.5.
[4]:
Infra 1.7.4.
[5]:
ṭyśٰ IX.com.p.44.
[6]:
Ibid.IX.com.p.20.
[7]:
ṭyśٰ XXII.10,11.
[8]:
Ibid.IV.13. Infra
[9]:
ṭyśٰ VIII.15
[10]:
Ibid.IV.com.p.88.
[11]:
ṭyśٰ IV.com.p.88.
[12]:
Infra,2.5.1.3.,2.5.2.,2.5.4.,
[13]:
ṭyśٰ IV.com.108.