Abhinaya
The word Abhinaya has been derived from the root word "Ni", which means to take or carry, with the preposition "abhi" meaning towards. As per the traditional slokas, the root "Vi" with the preposition abhi, gives the word Abhinaya, whcih means to carry the performance towards the audience. Abhinaya is a four fold art. There are 2 modes of Abhinaya - Natyadharmi, and Lokadharmi. While Natyadharmi is stylistic, lokadharmi is realistic in nature. Natyadharmi pertains to the conventions of the stage, for example, the use of dance and drama or walking in an artistic or appealing manner. Lokadharmi has no hype, and is executed in the form of simple actings that involve natural behaviour. It does not even involve much of expressions.
Lord Shiva is praised as the embodiment of the 4 types of Abhinaya in the following sloka:
“Angikam bhuvanam yasya
Vachikam sarva vangmayam
Aharyam chandra taradi
Tam vande satvikam sivam.”
The meaning of the sloka is:
We bow toHim the benevolent One
Whose limbs are the world,
Whose song and poetry are the essence of all language,
Whose costume is the moon and the stars…
The description of the NATARAJA :
He holds the drum of creation in his right hand symbolizing a new awakening
He holds fire in his left hand representing destruction of the old order
His other right hand is raised in blessing and he points the other left hand to his left foot, which has crushed the demon Muyalaka who represents ignorance.
There are 4 kinds of Abhinaya:
1. Angika Abhinaya
2. Vachika Abhinaya
3. Aharya Abhinaya
4. Satvika Abhinaya