Nritya

Sanskrit

Dance that expresses meaning — movement joined to sentiment.

TechniqueBharatanatyamKuchipudiOdissiKathak

Meaning

Nritya is interpretive dance: movement used to convey the meaning of the lyrics, through gesture and facial expression. Where nritta is pure design, nritya communicates. Items like padam and javali are predominantly nritya.

Related words

NrittaPure dance — rhythm and line, with no story.AbhinayaThe art of expression — making meaning visible.PadamA slow expressional piece, usually of love or devotion.TatkarKathak footwork — the rhythmic language of the feet.AdavuThe basic unit of Bharatanatyam movement — its alphabet.AramandiThe half-sitting stance that defines Bharatanatyam's line.

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