Description
Abhinaya has four aspects: angika (bodily expressions); vachika (use of word, poem, song, and music); aharya (dealing with costumes, ornaments, makeup, and decor); and satvika (the understanding and interpretation of various sentiments). Sringar, the sentiment of love, predominates, and has two main aspects: separation (vipralambha) and union (sambhog). In presenting dance-dramas and individual compositions, Manipur strictly observes the codification evolved by the Vaishnava text Ujjvalanilamani by Rupa Goswami. Any of the 64 variations of nayikabhadas can be attempted in three ways: Swanugata, in which angikabhinaya is independent and seeks to convey its own meaning; anugata, in which vachikabhinaya is important, and angikabhinaya is evolved to interpret the meaning of geeta, prabandha, and vakya; and ganaka, in which vachikabhinaya is important, and body movements are evolved to suggest the meaning of geeta, prabandha, and vakya. The appendices to the article give details of the hastas and sringar rasa, and the illustrations show abhinaya performances in Manipuri style.