BHEDAS IN CLASSICAL DANCE

Shiro, Drishti & Greeva Bhedhas 

The following describes the different shiro (head), drishti (eye) & greeva (neck) bhedhas (movements) and the categorisation of anga (body) that are used in Classical dance .

Shiro Bhedha – head movements

Shira or shirasa means ”head” in sanskrit. The 9 head movements refer to the head positions when expressing a particular bhava.

1. Samam: Keep head straight
2. Udvahitam: Look up
3. Adhomukham: Look Down
4. Alolitam: Move head in a circular movement
5. Dhutam: Move head to right and left
6. Kampitam: Nod head up and down
7. Paravrittam: Turn head to the right or left briskly
8. Ukshiptam: Head is turned and raised or in a slanted position
9. Parivahittam: Small shakes of the head done quickly
10. 
    

    Drishti Bhedha – eye movements

    Drishti means ”eyes” in sanskrit. The 8 eye movements refer to the eye positions when expressing a particular bhava.

    1. Samam: Keep eyes still
    2. Alokitam: Roll eye balls in a circular pattern
    3. Saachi: Look through the corner of the eyes
    4. Pralokitam: Move your eyes side to side.
    5. Nimilitam: It looks like a half shut eye, try to focus the eye ball towards the heart
    6. Ullokitam: Look upwards
    7. Anuvrittam: Move eyes up and down rapidly
    8. Avalokitam: Look down
    9. 
       

       Greeva Bhedha – neck movements

       Attamis exude grace in abhinaya pieces or acts as an ornament in Nritta. 4 types of neck movements mentioned in AbhinayaDarpanam.

       1. Sundari: Move neck side to side. It is also called as Attami
       2. Tirashchina: Move neck in a V-shape
       3. Prarivartita: Move neck in a semi-circle or moon-like shape
       4. Prakampita: Move neck forward and back