Mastering Abhinaya: The Art of Storytelling in Bharatanatyam
Abhinaya is the soul of Bharatanatyam. Explore my approach to translating ancient poetry and complex emotions into a visual language of movement, gestures, and expression.
Revisiting a varnam is always a joy. Here, I am exploring the abhinaya for a piece, finding new layers of meaning and expression in the composition even after many years.
Working on the prelude to an abhinaya piece is a challenge. It involves establishing the character, or nayika, and her emotional state before the main story unfolds.
Our tradition has gifted us with countless beautiful compositions. This is a glimpse of me exploring the abhinaya for a Dandayudapani Pillai varnam, where new possibilities of interpretation emerge with each practice.
Some compositions are a joy to improvise. Here, I am performing a piece based on Kalidasa's Sanskrit poetry, playing with the expressions and narrative with the wonderful support of my talented musicians.
The Bhairavi varnam "Mohamaana" is a piece I learned early in my dance journey. Here, I am improvising on a single idea in the abhinaya, showing how one can explore depth without straying from the poem's intent.
A close-up of my expression during a performance. The eyes are crucial in abhinaya, conveying a universe of emotions to the audience.
A moment of storytelling from my performance at Uttam Manch, Kolkata. Through abhinaya, we embody different characters and bring ancient stories to life.
Lost in the bhava, or emotion, of the piece. This is the state of absorption that a dancer strives for, where the self dissolves into the art.
A performance is an offering to the divine and the audience. This image from my recital at Krishna Gana Sabha in Chennai captures a moment of expressive storytelling.
Pointing towards the divine, this gesture from my Chennai performance is part of the rich vocabulary of hastas, or hand gestures, we use in Bharatanatyam.
About The Art of Abhinaya: Storytelling Through Expression
I often tell my students that a Varnam is a test of stamina, but Abhinaya is the true test of your soul. We do not just learn the steps here, we break down the poetic context, the mythology, and the underlying emotion so that when you perform, you are not just reciting a piece, you are fully inhabiting the character.
In my classes at the Gulmohar Park studio, we move beyond mechanical movement to explore the depth of Indian classical dance storytelling. Abhinaya, the art of expression, requires a delicate balance of physical discipline and inner reflection.
We begin by understanding the 'sahitya' (poetry) and the 'ragam' (melody) of a composition. It is only when you comprehend the nuances of the Sanskrit or Tamil verses that your eyes and hand gestures can communicate truth to the audience. My teaching method follows the traditional guru-shishya parampara, where I guide you personally through the process of 'rasa-sutra'—how to evoke specific emotions, or 'bhavas', in your viewers.
We practice in small, focused groups, ensuring you get the attention needed to refine your facial expressions and 'hastam' (hand gestures). Whether you are struggling to capture the innocence of a child or the majesty of a deity, we work together to find that authentic spark within you. This is not about copying my style. It is about learning to interpret the ancient stories through your own body, personality, and life experience.
If you are a student of dance looking to move from rote steps to genuine artistic expression, my doors are open. We work on the foundational 'adavus' alongside the emotive 'abhinaya', preparing you to not just dance, but to speak through dance.
Geeta Chandran
I see myself as an elder sister, guiding you through the depths of Bharatanatyam. Together, we move beyond the steps, focusing on the poetry of expression and the discipline of our tradition.
Looking for dance training?
Explore other programs and techniques available at Natya Vriksha.
More from Bharatanatyam Training & Mentorship by Geeta Chandran