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Angalakshana Part 1 - Anga Pratyanga & Upanga

 The science of dance was extremely well developed in ancient India. The word Angalakshana refers to the way of moving the body parts. In order to understand the concept and to perform Angalakshana, one has to understand and practice the categorization of the human body.  Types of Angalakshanam are written below. We will in-turn look at each of the Angalakshana in detail. Each and every student had to understand and practice this on a daily basis. Only after the mastering these, the Gurus would move towards teaching the students the dance numbers.


Anga Pratyanga Upanga

As per ancient Hindu practices, a human body or Sharera is taken as an inverted tree where the roots are at the top rather than at the bottom.  Both Charaka Samhita and Sushrut Samhita (the first known book on medicines written by Sushrut around 400 BC) talks about dividing the human body into 3 main divisions viz. Anga, Upanga and Pratyanga.  Charaka also proved the co relation of spirituality and physical health contributed greatly to diagnostic and curative science. Natya Shastra and Abhinaya Darpana also talks about the same.  Ancient Indian philosophy has the ----concept of relativity. As we proceed, we will be able to see every aspect of life as we know is related to each other.

Anga or the main body parts form an integral part of Human body. While Pratyanga are the organs located in the Human body in connection with the main organs, hence are called the sub structures or secondary organs/parts. Upanga on the other hand are the minor parts of the Sharera. The Pratyanga and Upanga are like small rivers that flow into the main river (Anga) and make it very strong. Only when the Pratyanga and the Upanga are structured well and well blended with the main parts or the ANGA, the beauty of the human body comes out. This in turn helps in emoting rasa.Nandikeshswara also goes on to say that the movement of Pratyangas and Upangas depend on the movements of the Angas.

Bharata tells that the Gesture is of 3 kind Sarira (that of the limb), Mukhaja( face) and Cestakrata ( that related to different movements of the entire body )which includes SAKHA, ANGA and UPANGA. 

Natyashastra Slokam :

Sirohastakativakshaparsvapadasamanvitah |                                         angapratyangasamyuktahsadangonatyasanghahah ||

Natyashastra Slokam :

tasyaShirohastorahParsvakatipadatahsadangani|                                                           NetrabhrunasadharakapolaChibukanyupangani ||

Anga (Main Body parts)AD & NS

Sl.

Sanskrit Name

English Meaning

1.

Shira

Head

2.

Hasta

Palm of the Hand

3.

Vaksha

Chest/ Breast

4.

Parshawa

Two sides of the body

5.

Kaati

Two sides of the Waist

6.

Padas

Feet

       Upanga  (as per Natyashastra)

Sl.

Sanskrit Name

English Meaning

1.

Netra

Eyes

2.

Bhru

Eyebrows

3.

Nasa

Nose

4.

Kapola

Lower Lips

5.

Chibuk

Chin

 




 

Abinaya Darpana talks about the concept of Anga, Pratyanga and Upanga.  Anga is same as Natyashastra in which some do consider neck as part of Anga.

AbhinayaDarpana Slokam on Anga :

Anganyatrasirohastauvaksahparsvaukatiitatau ||                                                                                  Padavitisaduktanigrivamappyaparejaguh ||

 

AbhinayaDarpana Slokam on Pratyanga :

Pratyanganyatha caskandhaubahuprsthamtathodaram ||                                        Urujanghesadityahuraparemanibandhakau |                                            Janunukurparavetattrayamapyadhikamjaguh || Grivasyadapya |

Some may include Wrist, Knees and Elbows along with Neck as part of Pratyanga.

Pratyanga (Secondary Body parts)

Sl.

Sanskrit Name

English Meaning

1.

Skanda

Shoulder

2.

Bahu

Arms

3.

Pashtam

Back

4.

Udaram

Stomach

5.

Uru

Thighs

6.

Janghas

Shanks

Note : Some include Knee, elbows, wrist in this.

AbhinayaDarpana Slokam on Upangya :

Dristibhuputtatarascakapolaunasikahanu|                                         Adharodasanajihvacubukkamvadanam tatha ||                                                   Upanganidvadasaivasirasyangamtaresu ca|                                              Parniigulpphautathangulyahkarayohpadayostale ||                                             Etanipurvasastranusarenoktanivaimaya |

       Upanga  (as per Abhinayadarpana)

Sl.

Sanskrit Name

English Meaning

1.

Dhristi

Eyes

2.

Bhru

Eyebrows

3.

Putaha

Eyelids

4.

Tara

Eyeballs

5.

Kapola

Cheeks

6.

Nasika

Nose

7.

Hanu

Jaws

8.

Adhara

Lower Lips

9.

Dasana

Teeth

10.

Jihva

Toungue

11.

Chibuk

Chin

12.

Vadanam

Face

 

 




These are of immense importance and each of them contribute as a small brick towards the human body.The Upanga and the Pratyanga are like small rivers that flow into the main river and makes the main river extremely powerful.  When the Pratyanga and Upanga are structured well and well blended with the main parts or the chief parts that is the Anga, the beauty of Human body comes out. This in-turn helps in emoting a particular rasa. When a student of dance is said to have mastered the concept and understanding of Anga, Pratyanga and Upanga, he or she is said to have attained Angashudhi. Without the Angashudhi it becomes  difficult to emote.

Author's Appeal : Now a days lots of workshops are being held by eminent dancers on Angashudhi. This is an extremely new concept. The need of the situation demand its supply. Earlier a student was individually taught these before proceeding with the compositions (dance numbers).
If we are to hold the actual tradition of ancient dance forms of India, I would take this opportunity to appeal to the young teachers and Gurus to impart the knowledge of  Angashuddi from a very early age, when the students body is flexible. This will not only help the students but also the dance forms.


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