Dance for Well-being Chapter Notes | Arts (Kriti) Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

Introduction

Dance is not only a form of artistic expression but also a way to communicate, express emotions, and achieve physical and emotional well-being. Through movements, gestures, and expressions, dance allows people to tell stories, convey messages, and share feelings without words. It connects the mind, body, and soul, and serves as a form of therapy and self-expression that can heal and inspire.

Communicating and Expressing Emotion

Communicating through Dance

• Hand gestures in dance can carry one or multiple meanings and are used to tell stories and communicate ideas.
• Single-hand gestures are called Asamyuta Hastas and both-hand gestures are called Samyuta Hastas.
• The Abhinaya Darpaṇam describes these hastas in Sanskrit shlokas.
• Asamyuta Hasta: There are 28 single-hand gestures along with 4 additional ones, described in shlokas (Nos. 89–92) by Nandikeśhvara.
• Samyuta Hasta: There are 23 combined-hand gestures, each denoted by specific words in the shloka (Nos. 172–175) from Abhinaya Darpaṇam.

Exploring Hastas as a Sign Language

• Before spoken language, humans used gestures and signs to communicate.
• In dance, hastas can be used to create a symbolic sign language.
• Daily-life gestures can be observed and linked to hastas.
• Different dance forms such as Mohiniattam, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Kathak use hastas as part of storytelling and expression.

Expressing Emotions through Dance

• Emotions shown in a dance performance can deeply touch the audience, making them feel joy, sadness, or other emotions.
• Bhāva: The first instant feeling or thought that arises in response to something.
• Experiencing and expressing emotions can be healing as it gives an outlet to deep feelings.
• Breath plays an important role in expressing emotions clearly.
• For example:
  • Fear: rapid breathing, trembling, perspiration, loss of facial colour.
  • Disappointment: heavy sigh or exhale.
• Dance uses the whole body including breath, facial expressions, and gestures to express emotions in a stylised manner.

Examples of Bhāva and Rasa

• Utsāha Bhāva → Veera Rasa: Courage or bravery expressed through dance.
• Bhaya Bhāva → Bhayānaka Rasa: Fear expressed with gestures and expressions.
• Jugupsa Bhāva → Bibhatsa Rasa: Disgust recreated through dance movements.
• Vismaya Bhāva → Adbhuta Rasa: Wonder or amazement shown in a group performance.
• Krodha Bhāva → Raudra Rasa: Anger expressed through intense movements.
• Shoka Bhāva → Karuna Rasa: Sadness shared to find emotional relief.
• Hāsa Bhāva → Hāsya Rasa: Laughter recreated to spread joy.
• Rati Bhāva → Shringāra Rasa: Love expressed and shared with others.
• Nirveda Bhāva → Shānta Rasa: Peace and contentment achieved through meditation after expression.

Dance for Healing

• Dances such as Poothana Moksham or Surpanakha scenes appeal to diverse audiences.
• Dance heals physically and emotionally:
  • Head and neck movements can help cure spondylitis.
  • Eye movements can improve eyesight.
• Dance movement therapy, healing through dance, and dance and wellness are career options.
• Psychologists and physiotherapists may use movement as a form of therapy.
• Releasing emotions through dance can bring a sense of relief and emotional healing.
• Watching and relating to emotions in dance can create empathy.