Essay name: Manasollasa (study of Arts and Sciences)
Author:
Mahadev Narayanrao Joshi
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
This essay in English studies the Manasollasa authored by Someshvara III, representing an ancient encyclopedic work encompassing over 8,000 Sanskrit verses. The text addresses diverse topics like polity, political sciences, architecture, jurisprudence, iconography, idol-making, and various arts and sciences such as mathematics.
Chapter 4 - Fine arts in Manasollassa
99 (of 100)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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273
Specialized foot movements have particular relevance in
Abhinaya. dzś's elaborate description of Angikabhi-
naya suggests that in a dramatic spectacle natural and
realistic acting will be used wherever possible. But
where imagination must aid make-believe, stylised and
suggestive abhinaya will have to be used. That is why,
certain poses, gestures, movements and gaits are prescribed.
Further dzś opines that a king himself should
210 dance with Rasa, and Bhava, and attractively. Lastly,
he says that a dance should be performed in a palace,
house, court-yard, park or field for the sake of enter-
211 tainment.
It can be seen that someśvara is well-versed
in all types of Nṛtya. He might have obtained this knowledge
from his mother, already mentioned in the first chapter as
a Nṛtya-vidyadhari. It is evident that, royalty, both
male and female, used to be well-versed in dancing very
early in the history of the Calukya period.
has described both music and dance.
dzś
210. पश्येत्सभागत� भूयो नृत्यकौतुक हेतव� �
स्वय� वा नर्तनं कुर्याद्रसभावसमन्वितम् �
[paśyetsabhāgato bhūyo nṛtyakautuka hetave |
svaya� vā nartana� kuryādrasabhāvasamanvitam ||
] 4.18.1401.
21. हर्म्य� वा गृहमध्ये वा प्राइगणे वा मनोहरे �
उद्यान� शाद्वल� स्थाने कुर्यान्नृत्यविनोदनम� � [harmye vā gṛhamadhye vā prāigaṇe vā manohare |
udyāne śādvale sthāne kuryānnṛtyavinodanam || ] 4.18.1405.
