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Angalakshana Part 4 - Greeva Bhedam or Neck Movements


               Greeva or the neck forms an important part of the body which helps a lot in Abhinaya. It is very important to learn all the Greeva bhedam and to use them in dance according to the songs. 

  1. Greeva Bhedam   as per Natyashastra

    No.

    Name

    Explanation

    Use

    1.

    Sama

    Natural Position

    Meditation, Natyarambham, Muttering

    2.

    Nata

    Face bent down

    Wearing ornaments, putting one’s arm around

    3.

    Unnata

    Face upturned

    Showing necklace, looking toward the road

    4.

    Tryasra

    Neck with face turned sideways

    Carrying weight

    5.

    Recita

    Neck shaken or moved

    Bhava, churning

    6.

    Kuncita

    Neck with head turned back

    Protecting the neck, Pressure on the neck

    7.

    Ancita

    Neck with head turned back

    Hanging, arranging hair, looking up

    8.

    Vahita

    Neck with head turned sideways

    Looking with the head turned around

    9.

    Nivrtta

    Neck with face in

    front

    Going towards a place

     

    Slokam

    Atahparanpravaksyamigreevharmanivaidvijah|                                                                                  Sama natonnatahtryasrarecitakuncitancita ||                                                                                        Valita ca nivrtta ca greevhanavavidharthatah |

     

    Greeva Bhedam   as per Abhinaydarpana

    No.

    Name

    Explanation

    Use

    1.

    Sundari

    Moving the neck from side to side

    Beautiful, Sringara, Beginning of friendship, Understanding, well done, charm, Recollection, Feeling pleasure

    2.

    Tiraschina

    Upward movement of the neck  just like a snake or  Drawing a “V” with your chin

    Brandishing of a sword, showing snake

    3.

    Parivartitaha

    Moving the chin from shoulder to shoulder to show half moon

    Erotic Dance, Sringara, Kissing both the cheeks

    4.

    Prakampitah

    Moving the neck forward and backward

    Saying you and I, Swinging, Inarticuate murmuring, Cooing produced as if in sexual ecstasy

     

    Slokam

    Sundarisca tiraschinatathaiva Parivartita |                                                                                          Prakampita cha bhavange gyana greeva chatur vidhya ||


Other Links
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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