Angalakshana Part 2 - Shiro Bhedam or Head Movements

Head movements are called Shirobheda. Shira or shirasa means “Head” in ancient Sanskrit. The head movements refer to the head positions, while expressing a particular bhava. There are Nine head movements. In fact each of the Nava Rasas are described with particular head movements.
It is extremely important for a dancer to understand these details as it will help in properly holding the postures. This should be practiced everyday as warm up before starting with Margam. These neck and head exercises along with the other Upanga, Pratanga and Anga practices forms the preparatory steps for the hard practices sessions later.

ShiroBheda as per AbhinayaDarpana

Sama : The head kept straight. As the same suggests it means equal. Usage: Every time a dance is started. It is also used for looking or searching ahead.
Udvahitam : Head looking upwards. Usage : showing Gods, sky, elevated beings.
Adhomukham : Looking down. Usage : Depicting shyness, guilty, sleepiness.
Alolitam: Circular movement of the head. Usage : Depicting grief, dizziness.
Dhutam: Right to left or side to side movement of the head. Usage : Negating, saying no, looking sideways life that of thief.
Kampitam: Up and down nod of the head. Usage : Depicting revenge, understanding.
Paravrittam: Brisk/forcefully turning of the head to the right or left or left to right. Usage : Saying no, showing anger.
Ukshiptam: Head is turned and raised or a slanting or tilted (upward) position of the head. Usage : Thinking, dreaming.
Parivahittam: Quick small shakes or wavy movement of the head. Usage : Satisfaction,gently agreeing.

As per Natya Shastra there are few more in addition to the above nine. They are as follows :

1. Akampita : The head is moved up and down very very slowly.
2. Vidhutam : The head is moved as if to agree on something. The movemt of the head is rapid. It depicts nodding.
3. Parilolitam : Head moving in all direction slowly as well as rapidly. (Drowing,intoxication)

Slokam on Shiro Bhedam

Sama udvahitam adhomukha-lolitam Dhutam
kampitam cha paravrittam ukshiptam parivahitam
navdhakathitam shirasa natyashastra visharadaihi.

Introduction
Chatur Slokam --- BharatNatyam for Kids
Make Up, Ornaments & Dress (Part1) __Bharat Natyam
Angalakshana Part 1 - Anga Pratyanga & Upanga
Angalakshana Part 2 - Shiro Bhedam or Head Movements
Angalakshana Part 3 - Dhristi Bhedam or Eye Movements and Bhrukuti Bheda or Eye Brow Movement
Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 10 - Dashavataram Hasta

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