The OUTER (VISIBLE) & THE INNER (INVISIBLE) DIMENSIONS IN THE ART OF EXPRESSING EMOTIONS THROUGH INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE : ‘PHYSICAL ABHINAYA & MENTAL ABHINAYA’

Abstract

There exist two basic fundamental dimensions to the art of expressing emotions (Abhinaya) in the Indian Classical Dance. There is the Outer dimension which is an outer or external level of expression of emotions - very well visible to the eye of the spectator. Then, there is the Inner dimension which is an Inner or Internal level i.e. an inner mental expression of emotions – to some extent, invisible to the eye of the spectator - but from where at some point, in one’s maturity as a dancer, Everything starts….the Dance itself, the Inner Elevation of the dancer and the gradual progress to higher levels of Consciousness. The dancer’s development of specific emotional states relies on mental visualizations - a form of meditative visualization. Sellers (2001) says “Meditation is thus within the domain of performance.” There are clear strong links between the external performance of gestures & facial expressions and the internal performance of mental or meditative visualizations. Hence Abhinaya (the art of expressing emotions through Indian Classical Dance) constitutes of a physical aspect of ‘abhinaya’ and a mental aspect of ‘abhinaya’. This paper analyzes how the gesture language of emotions in Indian Classical Dance needs - not a synthesis of both - but rather requires an interplay between physical ‘abhinaya’ and mental ‘abhinaya’.