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- (Bhumi )NamaskārahaThe act of prostration; In Bharathanātyam, a short sequence of gestures and postures performed as a ritual of obeisance before and after dancing.
- abbreviation for kural (1)abbreviation for kural kaikilai
- Abhinaya
- AbhinayadharpaṇaIt is a treatise on Bharathanātyam written by Nandikeśhwara in 2nd century AD.
- AbhyāsaPractice
- AbhyāsagānamA type of music which is often used in practice or musical exercise. This includes the varisais, gīthams, swarajathis, jathiswaramsand also varṇams.
- Achalaswara
- AḍavuA basic unit of dance technique in Bharathanātyam, combining standing position, foot and leg movement, and hand gestures. Aḍavus are the building blocks of the nruttha, or abstract dance aspect of Bharathanātyam,, in which the movements are decorative and convey no meaning.
- Adhbhutha
- Adhbutha
- Adhhama
- AdhhomukhaIt is one of the Śhiro bhedhas(head variations). It means to face downwards.
- AdhhomukhaśhwānāsanaA posture in Yoga resembling a dog facing downwards.
- Ādhi
- Ādhi thāḷaIt is the most common rhythmic pattern (thālam) with eight counts. The technical name is Chathurashra-jāthi Thriputa Thālam.
- Ādhithya
- ādhityathe 12th and last chakra, with melakartas that have M2, R3, and G3, comprising numbers 67 to 72
- AdhoDownward
- Adhomukhadownward facing
- Adhomukha ShvānāsanaDownward Facing Dog
- Afternoon rāgaA rāga to be performed in the afternoon between 1pm - 4pm such as mukhāri or begaḍa.
- Agni
- AgrathalaIt is one of the foot positions used in Bharathanātyam. In Sanskrit, Agra means tip and Thala means bottom.
- AhankāraEgo
- Āhārya, Āhārya AbhinayaIt is one of the four aspects of Abhinaya (the art of expression) that relates to expression through costume, jewellery, and make-up.
- Āhatham
- AhimsaNon-violence
- AhobalaThe seventeenth century author of the treatise Sangītha Pārijātha. He was the first one to calibrate the value of swaras in terms of the lengths of stretched strings.
- AjāḍyaIn Sanskrit, it means lack of sluggishness.
- Ajapa japa
- Ājna chakraEnergy center located behind the forehead or between the eyebrows; state of intuitive wisdom consciousness.
- Akāra
- ĀkāraUsing the vowel 'aaa'... to sing rāga or a musical phrase instead of words or swaras. One may also use vowels like eee, ooo, ayyy, aii, ohhh, etc. Ākāram is usually indicated by dots, ex: kā...mā...kṣhi...
- Akāra-SādhhakamVocal practice, employing only the sound 'aaa'. This is done as part of the voice-culture exercises and results in richness of tone, timbre, clarity and strength of the voice.
- ĀkāshaSky
- ĀkāśhaIn Sanskrit, it means Sky or Space.
- AkṣharaIt means Syllable.
- Akṣharakāla
- Alankāra
- Alaṅkāram(1) - meaning a beautiful arrangement of swaras, it used to be a term for gamaka in the times of Bharatha (from AḍukkuAṇi) (2) - refers to the sapthaalaṅkārams, where the students are introduced for the first time to intricate thālas (SulādhiSapthathālas) and exercises in three speeds in(...)
- AlapadhmaIt means a Fully Bloomed Lotus in Sanskrit. In dance, it is shown by the following instruction: Spread all the fingers and slightly bend sideways towards the palm.
- ĀlāpanaOne of the forms in manodhharma sangītha wherein a beautiful picture of the rāga free of rhythm is created by the performer in different octaves, starting from slow phrases to faster phrases gradually building the climax. Phrases used while rendering are Aa, Ee, Thanna, Thadharinna etc.
- AlarippūUsually the first dance item in a Bharathanātyam, recital, the alarippū is a abstract dance item that begins with movements of just the eyes, and then progressively involves more of the body and increase the rhythmic pace. It symbolizes awakening, sanctification of the performing place, and(...)
- AlārippuA dance style, which uses solkaṭṭu swaras - it is a beginning piece, often the first taught to dance students. It allows for expert gestures and intricate footwork coordinated in a strict manner in a fast-paced performance. Typically, the songs have no actual words, only solkaṭṭus.
- ĀlasyaLaziness
- ĀlīḍaIt is one of the foot positions in Bharathanātyam.
- ĀlolithaIt is one of the Shiro bhedha(head variations). It means that which is shaken. In this variation, the head is rotated in a circular movement in a clockwise and anti clockwise direction.
- Alpanyāsa
- AlpathvamOne of the 13 lakṣhaṇas of a rāga.
- AltoThe second highest voice in Western harmony.
- AmbalamAmbalam means Temple; It also means a stage for performing arts.
- AmśhamOne of the 13 characteristics (lakshaṇas) of a rāga.
- AnāgathaA viṣhama graham in which the music begins after the start of the thāḷa. For EgMāJānaki – Kāmbhoji- Thyāgarāja ;Marugelara – Jayanthashri - Thyāgarāja
- AnāhathaNādha
- ĀnandhaBliss
- AnchithaIt is one of the Foot positions in Bharathanātyam. It means curved or arched.
- Āndhoḷana
- Āndhra PradeśhIt is one of the states in the southern part of India. It’s capital is Hydherābadh and the language spoken there is Thelugu.
- Aṅgalimb
- AṅgasThe major parts of the body, such as head, chest, hands, and legs. One of three groups into which body parts are classified for the assignment of movements. The others are the prathyaṅgas or intermediate parts of the body, and upāṅgas, which include the extremities and facial features.
- Āngika, Āṅgika AbhinayaThe aspect of the art of expression (abhinaya) that relates to expression through body movements, including hand gestures and facial expressions.
- Aṅgushtatoe
- AnjaliSalutation
- AnnamāchāryaHe is one of the leading composers from Āndhrapradeśh in Carnātic music.
- AnnapūrṇaShe is the Goddess of food. The temple for Annapūrṇa is in the city of Kāśhi.
- AntharagāndhāramThe highest of the 3 types of Ga - Ga3. It corresponds to E natural of the Western key of C.
- Antharamārgam
- Antiphony
- AnubandhaThe final and concluding section of an Ālāpanā.
- AnubhavaExperience
- Anudhhrutham
- AnudhruthamA type of thāḷa movement which is a single beat of the hand on the thigh. Its symbol is U. Considered a small (anu=small) dhrutham, it is equivalent to 1 akshara.
- Anuloma-viloma
- Anumandhrasthāyi
- Anunādha
- AnupallaviUsually the second section of a song, after the pallavi and before the charaṇam, often of 2 lines. After this, the pallavi is repeated. Since anu means small, this is like a small pallavi. Generally it is believed that the idea which is introduced in the pallavi is elaborated more concretely(...)
- Anuswara
- Anuvādhi
- Anuvruttha
- Anya
- ApanyāsamOne of the 13 lakṣhaṇas of arāga.
- AparigrahaNon-greediness
- Apaswara
- ApūrvarāgasRāgas which are uncommon or rare.
- Apūrvathāḷa
- AraimanḍiA signature posture of Bharathanātyam, with erect torso, bent legs, knees outward, heels together, and toes outward. Also call ardhhamanḍali.
- Arāḷa
- AramanḍiIt is the most important position in Bharathanātyam. Here, the knees are bent forming oblong shape.
- AraṅgamA Tamil word meaning stage, raised platform, or island.
- Araṅgéṭram
- ĀrathiA song or ritual performed with a flame and/or turmeric to drive away evil spirits. Ārathi songs are usually in maṅgaḷa rāgas
- Archika
- ArdhaHalf
- Ardhhabhekāsana
- Ardhhachandra
- Ardhhakampitha rāga
- ArdhhamanḍaliA signature posture of Bharathanātyam, with erect torso, bent legs, knees outward, heels together, and toes outward. Also call araimanḍi.
- ArdhhanārīśhwaraIt is the concept in Indian mythology where Shiva and his consort Śhakthi are depicted as two equal portions of the body. The deity is the Lord who has both feminine and masculine traits.
- ArdhhapathākaIt is an Asamyutha hastha. This means ‘Half a flag’. From the thripathāka hasthā, when the little finger is bent, ardhapathāka is formed.
- Āroha
- Ārohaṇa
- ĀsanaIn Sanskrit, it means seat or Posture.
- AshtaEight
- Ashtāṅga YogaEight fold path of Yoga
- Aṣhtāṅga yoga"Ashtaṅga Yoga" ("Eight-Limbed Yoga"). This eight-limbed concept derived from the 29th Sutra of the 2nd chapter of Pathanjali’s Yoga sūthras is a core characteristic of practically every Rāja yoga variation taught today.
- AṣhtāṅganamaskāraIt is a salutation where the eight limbs of the body touch the ground.
- AṣhtapadhiLiterally "eight steps," this is a musical form, a type of sabhāgānam, also used in dance. Each has eight stanzas, plus one. The most famous is by Jayadheva and composed in devotion to Kriṣhṇa.
- Aṣhṭapadhi
- AśhwasanchalanāsanaIt is a posture in Yoga which resembles the movement of a horse. Aśhwa means horse and sanchalana means moving.
- AssāmIt is one of the states in the eastern part of India. It’s capital is Dispur(in Guwahati) and the language spoken there is Asomiya (commonly referred to as Assamese).
- AstheyaNon-stealing
- Aṭa Thāḷa
- Athikruthrathamamārgam
- AthimelivuIt is the same as anumandhrasthhāyi. (this nomenclature is used in the Dravidian or Thamizh tradition)
- AthīthaA viṣhamagraha in which the music starts before the beginning of the thāḷa (Also spelt as ateeta) For eg :Ninnuvinā – Poorvikalyāni – ShyāmaShāstri ; ChedebudhiMānura – Attāna - Thyāgarāja
- AthithārasthāyiThe octave above the thārasthāyi (two octaves above the middle octave), indicated by 2 dots above the note
- AthivalivuIt is the same as athithārasthāyi (this nomenclature is used in the Dravidian or Thamizh tradition)
- ĀthmanSoul
- Aṭṭa
- Aṭṭami
- AṭṭathāḷavarṇamA varṇam set iṇ aṭṭa thāḷa which usually has the same structures of other varṇams for example the pallavi, anupallavi and mukthāyiswara in the poorvānga or first half and the charaṇam and chittaswaras in the utharāngam. The edduppu in most starts at the ring finger. This may be due to the fact(...)
- ĀṭṭavarṇamAnother name for a padha varṇam
- AuḍavaMeaning 5, this indicates rāgas which use only 5 notes instead of 7 in either the ascending or descending scale (or both), leaving out 2 notes. Mohana is an auḍava-auḍava rāga because it uses only Sa Ri Ga Pa and Dha going both up and down.
- Auḍava rāga
- AuḍavamOne of the 13 lakshaṇas of a rāga dealing with whether it is an auḍava rāga in either the ascending or descending scale.
- AumPrimordial sound; also known as ‘Om’
- Avahitha
- AvalokithaIt is one of the Driṣhṭi bhedhas. It is the downward gaze of the eyes.
- Avanāddha VādyaPercussion Instruments covered with stretched skin, e.g. Mridangam.
- Avaroha
- ĀvarthanaOne cycle/bar of the particular rhythmic meter or thāḷa. For example, in ādhi thāḷa in madhya laya (medium tempo), one āvarthanam is 8 beats. Two āvarthanas are 16, etc.
- AvathārIncarnation
- AvidhyaIgnorance
- ĀyathaIt means to spread over. This is the most important position in Bharathanātyam also known as Aramandi.
- ĀyurvedhaIt is the science of life. It is one of the systems of Indian medicine.
- baanibAni means mould, but refers to a particular style of playing, characteristic of a pedigree of musicians, similar to the Hindustani gharana
- BaddhaBound
- Baddha KoṇāsanaBound angle posture
- BalamIt means Strength in Sanskrit.
- Balarāma
- Bālāsana
- banathe 5th cakra, with melakartas that contain M1, R2, and G3, comprising numbers 25-30
- BāndhavaThe word means Relative in Sanskrit. In Hastha mudhras, we have specific gestures to depict relatives.
- bassthe lowest voice in Western harmony
- bhaashaanga
- bhaashaanga kanDamthe 3rd section of a raagaanga raaga lakshaNa geetam, in which the names of the bhaashaanga raagas of the melakarta in which the geetam is sung are given in the saahitya
- bhaavabhaava refers to a raaga or song's general expression, a collection of mood, tone, and the gamakas, which create a unique effect. In combination with prayogas, sancaarams, and other aspects of raaga, it allows two raagas to be distinct even when they have the same swaras in their scales, ex:(...)
- Bhāgavatha Meḷam
- Bhāgavatham
- BhagawānThe word is used to denote God in Sanskrit.
- bhagutvamone of the 13 lakshaNas of a raaga
- Bhairava
- Bhairavi
- bhajana devotional song, often sung in groups and in religious settings.
- Bhajana / BhajanA devotional song often sung in groups and in religious settings.
- BhakthiA Sanskrit word meaning devotion. In Hinduism or Bharathanātyam, refers to loving devotion to a particular deity. A high form of spiritual expression emphasized in Bharathanātyam, by Rukmini Devi.
- bhakti
- Bharatha muniThe name of the sage who wrote the text named Nātyaśhāsthra.
- BhasthrikaBhasthrika means bellows. Bhasthrika Prāṇāyāma is called the bellows breath. Air is forcibly drawn in & out as if using the bellows.
- Bhasthrika PrāṇāyāmaBellows breathing technique
- BhāthiShining, illuminating
- BhāvaThe art of expression, the outer manifestation of an inner experience. Bhāva is a key feature of Bharathanātyam.
- bhayanakaa rasa, or feeling, of fear in songs or raagas, shown in raagas such as punnaagavaraaLi
- Bhayānaka
- BhedhaIt means variations in Sanskrit In dance it indicates the various eye, neck, head and hand movements.
- BherundaA mythical two headed eagle.
- Bhramari
- Bhramari PrāṇāyāmaBreathing softly that sound like ‘Humming bee’
- bhu
- Bhujaṅga
- BhujaṅgāsanaCobra posture
- BhūmiThis word refers to the Earth in Sanskrit.
- Bhuvanam
- bibatsa- a rasa, or feeling, of disgust in songs or raagas, shown in raagas such as aThaaNaa
- Bībhathsa
- BindhiThe round (dot shaped) mark worn on the forehead in India by girls and women, mostly Hindhus.
- BindhuA dot.
- BrahmaThe god of creation; One of the Hindhu trinity of Gods.
- BrahmāchāryaSelf-Control, Self-discipline
- BrahmanSupreme consciousness
- BrahminAlso Brāhmaṇa. In ancient India, one who attained highest spiritual knowledge. One with suitable traits for spiritual advancement. After the caste system came into being, one who was born in the Brahmin or priestly caste. More recently associated with educated classes of society.
- briga
- Bruhaspathi
- BuddhaThe founder of the sect known as Buddhism; accepted later as one of the Avathāras of Viṣhṇu.
- BuddhiIt indicates Intellect, Intelligence in Sanskrit
- BudhaName of the planet Mercury in Sanskrit.
- caapua group of taaLas which traditionally consisted of a beat and a wave. It can be in counts of 3, 5, 7, or 9. The most common is mishra caapu (3+4=7 beats, takiTa takadimi), and khanDa caapu (2+3=5, taka takiTa) is also used occasionally. When no number is specified it is mishra caapu
- cakra
- caraNamliterally meaning "foot," it is the root of the song (which is like a tree). This is the end section of a song, sung after the pallavi and anupallavi. A song may have multiple caraNas. In songs which have no anupallavi, there is often a samaashTi caraNa, which combines the two
- caraNam swarasanother name for citta swaras in a varnam
- Carnaticpronounced kar-naa-tik, it is the South Indian form of classical music
- catshrutimeaning the little shruti, this is lower than satshruti but higher than shudda types of ri and da.
- catshruti dhaivatamthis is D2, the second of the 3 types of da. It corresponds to A natural of the Western key of C.
- catshruti rishabamthis is R2, the second of the 3 types of ri. It corresponds to D natural of the Western key of C.
- catush kalai
- catusra
- centsa unit of relative frequency, used to show relative pitches of notes
- chaayaanother name for the swaroopam of a raaga, but which describes the general sound or look of a raaga (its character)
- chaayaalaga
- Chakra
- ChāmaraIn Sanskrit, it means Fan. Lord Ganapathi has ears resembling a fan or as broad as a fan.
- Chandhra
- ChandhrakalāIn Sanskrit, Chandhrakala means ‘The crescent moon’.
- Chāpu
- ChāriThe Chāris are the movements of the legs and feet. It is one of the important components of aḍavus.
- Chathura
- ChathuraṅgaFour limbs
- Chathuraṅga dhanḍāsana
- Chathuraṅga DhaṅdāsanaFour-Limbed Staff Posture
- Chathuraśhra
- Chauka kāḷa
- Chauka varṇaIt is another name for a padha varṇam - a varṇam that has rhythmic elements like a padham, meant for classical dance.
- ChidhambaramChidhambaram is a major pilgrimage site (240 kms south of Chennai) for Śhaivites as well as Vaiṣhṇavites, where one of the holiest and most ancient temples of Hinduism, the Chidhambaram temple is located. Chidhambaram is the birthplace of the sculpture and bronze image representation of Śhiva(...)
- Chin Mudhra
- Chinna MéḷamAnother name for Sadhir Nāṭyam, combining the Tamil words, chinna (small) and méḷam (performance)
- Choḷa
- chromatic scale
- citra maargama taaLa path which uses 8 swaras or 2 maattirais
- citratama maargam
- citratara maargam
- citta pallavi
- citta swaraa section of swaras set in taaLa sung after the anupallavi before singing the pallavi and again after the caraNam. In a varnam, many citta swaras are sung only after the caraNam, usually with the form that the 1st and 2nd take 1 aavartanam, the 3rd and 4th take 2, and the 5th take 4 (also(...)
- comma
- cowka kaalaa slow speed or kaala
- cowka varnamanother name for a pada varnam
- da (1)abbreviation in singing, same as dhaivatam
- da (2)an abbreviation for shuddha dhaivatam (D1)
- daaTu
- daaTu varisaia series of phrases for singing and playing for early music practice, which uses daaTu (taaTu) gamaka style swara combinations, in a jumping or non regular fashion. It is also called taanDu varisai
- daivika kOmalia divine Joker, who supposedly sings the kONangi Daru
- dakshina maargam
- ḌamaruA type of drum that is narrow in the middle and wide at the ends.
- Damaru yatia type of rhythmic pattern of swaras or words resembling a Damaru, a type of drum that is narrow in the middle and wide at the ends. It is a combination of srotovaaha and gOpucca yati. ex: sndp-ndp-dp-p-dp-ndp-sndp, or srgrsrsrgm (matya taaLa)
- Ḍamaruyathi
- dana
- dani
- danu
- Darusame as Daruvu
- Daruvua particular type of musical form (sabhaa gaanam), which relates a historical or puranic incident or ancient story, expressing love or the greatness of a generous person. It is often in madhyama kaalam, with pallavi, anupallavi (not always), and more than on caraNam, with a mixture of jatis.(...)
- dasavida gamaka10 forms of gamaka, listed here
- deergha
- dEshaadi
- dEsya (1)a raaga whose swaroopam is brought out by just aalaapanai, for example kaanaDaa, hameer kalyaaNi, hindustaani behaag
- dEsya (2)raagas that were brought to South India from North India, for example paras, maanD, jhinjoTi, and shenjuruTTi
- DhaithyaIn Sanskrit, it means Demon.
- dhaivataantya
- dhaivatamthe 6th note, equivalent to la of Western do re mi syllables. It occurs in 3 types: shuddha dhaivatam, catshruti dhaivatam, and satshruti dhaivatam, which correspond to G#, A, and Bb respectively in the Western key of C
- Dhakṣhiṇāmūrthi
- DhānavaIn Sanskrit, it means Demon.
- DhaṅdaStick
- DhanurāsanaBow Posture
- DhāraṇaConcentration
- DharmaRighteous path
- Dhāru varṇa
- DhāsaIn Sanskrit, it means servant.
- Dhaśhāvathāra
- Dhāsi ĀṭṭamThe dance of the dhevadhāsis or the servants of God. In Tamil, āṭṭam means dance.
- Dhāṭṭu varisai
- DhevadhāsiThey are the female servants of the deity. Girls dedicated to dance in front of the deity in the temples of South India were called Dhevadhāsis.
- DhevaranāmaThe song of the gods is the literal meaning of the word Dhevaranama. It refers to the group of compositions made in lucid style in Kannada by the devotional saints of Karnataka, mainly the Dhāsa saints like Purandharadhāsa, Kanakadhāsa and others.
- DhevasthhānamIt means the abode of the Goddess/God in Sanskrit.
- DhevathāIn Sanskrit, Dhevatha means Goddess/God. In Bharatanatyam, Dhevatha hasthas are the hand gestures depicting gods and goddesses.
- DhothiA men's garment consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth tied around the waist, covering the legs. There are various ways to tie it.
- DhruṣhṭiIn Sanskrit, it means vision. In Bharathanātyam, Dhruṣhṭibhedha is the variations in the eye movements which are seven in number.
- DhruthaThis is one of the angās of a thālam. Dhrutham refers to the beat and wave of the hand. The symbol ‘0’ is used to denote it.
- dhruva
- Dhruva thāḷaThis is one of the Saptha Thāḷas. Dhruva thāḷa has the aṅgas - Laghu Dhrutham Laghu Laghu (1 0 1 1). Chathuśhra Jāthi Dhruva Thāḷa consists of 14 beats. The number of beats in the thāla will vary according to the Laghu
- DhurgāShe is another form of Goddess Pārvathi; She is a symbol of strength.
- DhūthaIn Sanskrit, it means a messenger.
- Dhwi Sthāyi
- DhyānaMeditation
- dian abbreviation for catshruti dhaivatam (D2)
- dini
- dinu
- disithe 10th cakra, which uses M2, R2 and G2, comprising melas 55-60
- Divine Artmusic is often referred to by this term because it is considered linked to God
- divya prabhandama musical form, a type of sabhaa gaanam, see nalayira divya prabhandam
- do
- Dola hastha
- dOlakama gamaka, same as aandOLam
- dotdots are used in notation. A dot over a swara indicates it should be sung in the next higher octave (taara staayi), 2 dots indicate an even higher octave (ati taara staayi), a dot below indicates the lower octave (mandra staayi), and 2 dots below indicate the even lower octave (anu mandra(...)
- druta layaa fast, quick speed or tempo
- drutama taaLa movement which includes a beat and a wave (or a beat with the palm and a beat with the back of the hand), counting for 2 beats
- duan abbreviation for shatshruti dhaivatam (D3)
- dunu
- durbalaswaras that are not good to lengthen or dwell upon in a raaga, for example ga in aarabi
- durita kaalathis is the 2nd speed or kaala, which can hold half the number of swaras of the same speed as in 1st kaala if the taaLa is changed. Since the taaLa is held constant within a song, when one changes from madhyama kaala to durita kaala, double the number of swaras will be sung because they are(...)
- dwi kalai
- dwitiya pancaka raagaa type of ghana raaga, including raagas such as kEdaaram, naaraayaNa gowLa, saaranga naaTTai, bowLi, and reeti gowLa
- early morningghanakaala raagas meant to be sung in the early morning before sunrise (4-6 am), such as bhoopaaLam and bowLi
- eDupputhe place in a taaLa from which a song or a line or phrase from a song is begun. Songs may take sama eDuppu, starting at the beginning of the cycle, or (vishama graham) start a few swara counts (usually 2, 4, or 6) before (atita) or after (anaagata) the start of the taaLa cycle. A comma ,(...)
- Eka
- Eka kalai
- Eka PādhaOne - legged Posture
- Eka thāḷa
- Ekāra
- equal temperament
- ÉtramA Tamil word meaning ascent, climbing, or to step on to.
- EṭṭaḍavuEṭṭu means to reach out. This set of Aḍavus gets its name from the movements of the hands and the body. There are 3 variations of Ettaḍavu.
- ettukaaDi pallavi
- ettukaaDi swarasanother name for the cittai swaras of a varnam
- evening raagaa ghanakaala raaga suitable for singing at the end of the day in the evening (4-7 pm), such as shhanmugapriyaa, kalyaaNi, aananda bhairavi, vasantaa, naaTTai kurinji, and poorvi kalyaaNi
- Ezhisaia term for god as the incarnation of sounds, as is often considered
- fa
- fiftha jump from one note to the fifth note above it (8 half steps, inclusive). sa to pa is a perfect fifth, as is C to G
- first speed
- flat
- forenoonraagas meant to be sung before noon, from 9am up to noon, including such raagas as asaavEri, saavEri, and dEva manOhari
- fourth speed
- ga (1)- an abbreviation of gaandhaaram
- ga (2)abbreviation for shuddha gaandhaaram (G1)
- gaandhaaram
- gamaka
- GaṇaThey are the attendants of Lord Śhiva.
- Gāna
- GaṇapathiHe is the elephant faced God, the son of Lord Śhiva and Pārvathi and the remover of obstacles.
- GāndhāraThis is the 3rd note in the Saptha Swarā scale. This is of 3 types: Śhuddha Gāndhāram, Sādhāraṇa Gāndhāram and Anthara Gāndhāram.
- GandharvaThey are semi divine beings, who are well versed in the art of music and dance.
- Garuḍa
- GaruḍamanḍalaIt is an important foot position in Bharathanātyam
- GaruḍāsanaIt is a pose in yoga which resembles the eagle.
- Gathi
- gati
- GāyanaIn Sanskrit, it means singing.
- geetaman abhyaasa musical form or "song" considered the simplest musical form, created by Purandara Daasa in order to introduce taaLas in combination with lyrics. Geetams have no absolutely defined divisions of pallavi, anupallavi or caraNam though these may be observed in many cases. Geetams last(...)
- GejjeIn Kannada language, it means anklet.
- ghana pancaka raagasone type of ghana raaga (as opposed to dwitiya pancaka raagas), which is heavy and elaborate. It has five members: naaTTai, gowLa, aarabi, shree, and varaaLi. These 5 raagas are often used in pancaratna kritis
- ghana raaga
- ghanakaalaraagas meant to be sung at a particular time of day. Each raaga is associated with at least one time of day (some are sarvakaalika - any time). The times are early morning (4-6am), morning after sunrise (6-9am), forenoon (9am-12pm), midday (noon-1pm), afternoon (1-4pm), evening (4-7pm), and(...)
- ghanamanother term for taanam
- gharaanaliterally "house," this is the house of the musician-teacher and his style of performing, in Hindustani music
- Ghungru
- giabbreviation for saadhaaraNa gaandhaaram (G2)
- GīthamThis is considered the simplest musical form. Gīthams fall under the Abhyāsa Gānam category. Gīthams were created Purandhara Dhāsa. Gīthams have no absolutely defined divisions of pallavi, anupallavi or charanam though these may be observed in many cases. Gīthams have around 10-12 āvathanams.(...)
- gOpart of the mela mnemonic, a word to represent the 3rd combination of danu (D1 and N3) in the 3rd melakarta in any cakra
- Go MukhaCow face
- Gomukha
- Gomukhāsanacow's face posture
- gOpucca yatia rhythmic pattern or swaras or words meaning cow's tail (go=cow), which has a broad beginning and narrows at the end. For example: pera bhayam, abhayam, bhayam
- GopuchhayathiThis refers to rhythmic patterns, swaras or words which are broad in the beginning and constantly narrow down like that of a cow’s tail. An example of Gōpucha Yathi is ‘Pérabhayam Abhayam Bhayam’.
- graha bEdam
- graha swaras
- graham
- guabbreviation for antara gaandhaaram (G3)
- GuṇaQualities
- Guru
- guru (1)this is a taaLa movement which has the symbol 8 and has eight beats. It is formed by a beat of four counts and a wave of the hand for 4 counts (or by a sarpini, making a looping eight with the hand horizontally)
- guru (2)a teacher of music or any other learning
- Gurukula
- gurukula vaasam
- Half-sari
- half-stepin Western music, the smallest distance from one note to the next (for example, on the piano), or the distance from one swarastaana to the next. s to r1, r1 to r2, m1 to m2, etc. are all half-steps. Two half-steps are equivalent to a whole-step. Half steps in Western notes are, for example,(...)
- hampitama rarely-used gamaka which uses the sound hoom (oo as in good) repeatedly
- Hamsa
- Hamsapakṣha
- HamsāsyaIt is one of the Asamyutha hastha mudhra. It means the Swan’s bill. In Bharathanātyam, in the Hamsāsya hasthā, the thumb and the index finger touch each other at the tips, while the other fingers are straight, separated and stretched. It is also known as Chin mudhra in yoga.
- HanumānHe is the god of strength. He is a monkey faced God in Hindhu mythology.
- HaraIt is another name for Lord Śhiva.
- HariIt is another name for Lord Viṣhṇu.
- harmonic minorin Western classical, a scale that is equal to the minor scale but that the 7th note is increase by a half-step in both the ascending scale and descending scale. This converts N2 to N3, making this scale equivalent to gowri manOhari
- harmony
- HasthāHand
- Hastha, Hastha MudhraHastha means hand in Sanskrit. It is a symbolic gesture using the hands and fingers, used for decoration as well as expressing meaning in Bharathanātyam.
- hasyaa rasa, or feeling, of laughter in a song or raaga, seen in raagas such as mOhanam, kEdaaram, and hamsadwani
- Hāsya
- hecu staayi varisaiphrases for practice singing up to the taara staayi pa
- HimsaViolence
- HindhuOriginally the word indicated the people and culture indigenous to the Indian sub-continent. Now it has come to indicate those who practice the faith of Hindhuism.
- HindhuismWay of life
- Hindithe primary language of India. Few Carnatic songs are in this language
- Hindustaanithe main system of Classical music performed in North India
- Hūmkāra
- Ida NādiOne of the main energy channels running on the left side of the spine from the base of the spine (Mūlādhāra chakra) to the center of the forehead (Ājna chakra).
- ili
- IndhirāShe is the goddess of wealth. She is the wife of Lord Viṣhṇu.
- IndhraHe is the king of Gods.
- IndhuIt means The Moon.
- indu
- iraical
- irangu niral
- iraTTai kOvai varisaianother term for janTa varisai
- iraTTai kuralanother term for taara sa
- iravu paNNin the PaNN system, an evening raaga
- isai
- ĪśhānyaIt is the direction of North – east.
- Īshvara prāṇidhānaSurrender to the divinity with-in us
- Īśhwara
- jaaru
- jaati
- jaavalia musical form (sabhaa gaanam), a type of song that is usually a love story with the characters naayaki (heroine), naayaka (hero), and tOzhi (close friend) and performed as classical dance (bharatanaaTyam). The compositions are often lively in madhyama kaala, expressing love through colloquial(...)
- JagannāthaIn Sanskrit, Jagannātha means 'Master/ Lord' (nātha) of the 'World, Universe' (Jagath). He is The Lord of the world. He is another form of Lord Viṣhṇu. The oldest and most famous Jagannāth deity is established in Puri, in Orissa. The temple of Jagannāth in Puri is regarded as one of the sacred(...)
- jakkini Darua Daruvu or song where the first part of the saahityam is full of jatis and THEN the words are given. It also contains madhyama kaala prayOgams. Sometimes apoorva taaLams like guru jhampa are used
- JalaWater
- janaka raaga
- janaka raaga lakshaNa geetama lakshana geetam in a melakarta raaga, which can tell about the swaras of the raaga and the janyas of the raaga in the saahitya. It was previously known as raagaana raaga lakshaNa geetam (which has 3 parts, see raagaanga raaga lakshaNa geetam)
- Janaka rāga
- janTa varisaia series of musical phrases for early musical practice, in which swaras are sung in pairs, ex: ss rr gg mm pp dd nn SS. Also called iraTTai kOvai varisai
- JānuKnee
- Jānu ShīrshāsanaHead to Knee Posture
- janya
- janya raaga lakshaNa geetama lakshaNa geetam in a janya raaga, which tells about the swaras of the raaga and the melakarta from which the raaga is derived in the saahitya
- Janya rāgaThis refers to a rāga that has been derived from a Méla rāga. A janya rāga may not have all the swarās from its parent rāga. Its ārōhanam and avarōhanam may not follow an orderly fashion and sometimes swarās from other rāgās may feature in a janya rāga.
- JapaChanting
- JariIt refers to an embroidery using metal threads, usually silver, gold, or copper and often for decoration of borders of the cloth.
- JathiDrum syllables, or sequences of drum syllables, describing units of percussion. Also sequences of syllables intoned by the dance conductor (naṭṭuvanār), during abstract dance passages
- Jāthi
- JathiswaraThe Jathis (rhythmic syllables) are combined with swaras (musical notes) in a particular raga and thāḷa. It is similar to a Swarajathi but does not contain any Sāhithyam. Only the names of notes are sung. Jathiswarams are used in dance recitals. Some jathiswarams are found in chauka kāla and(...)
- jatia phrase used in place of swaras or words (alongside them), usually such as dheem, takita, taam, tOm, often used in tillaanaas and dance-related songs
- jatiswarama type of abhyaasa gaanam, similar to a swarajati, often called a swara-pallavi. It has no saahityam at all, but instead combines jatis. It is used often in dance. Some jatiswarams are in cowka kaalam or are raagamaalikas
- Jāvaḷi
- JayanthiThe Sanskrit word for anniversary and often refers to celebrations of the birthdays of religious figures and deities.
- jeevaswaras that are vital to a raaga (give it life). For saavEri the jeeva swaras are ri, ma, and da
- jhampa
- Jhampa thāḷaThis is one of the Saptha Thālās. Jhumpa thālam has the angās Laghu Anudhrutham and Dhrutham (1 U 0). Mishra Jāthi Jhumpa Thālam consists of 10 beats. The number of beats in the thālam will vary according to the Laghu.
- Jhanṭi
- JithendriyaThe one who has control over his senses is known as Jithendriya in Sanskrit.
- JnānaThis could also be spelt as Gnyāna. It means Knowledge and wisdom.
- Jnāna yogaJnana yoga is the path of knowledge that leads to an experience of absolute truth.
- just intonation
- kaakali nishaadam
- kaakapaadama taaLa movement of 16 beats, with a beat (4 counts), a wave upward (4 counts), a wave to the left (4 counts), and a wave to the right (4 counts). Its symbol is + and it is equivalent to 4 maattirais
- kaalathis refers to the speed at which a song or portion of a song (or swaras) is performed. For singing in 1st speed, there can be 1 note per beat in practice (4 notes in concerts and when singing kritis). In second speed, there are 2 notes per beat in music practice and 8 in concerts, in 3rd(...)
- kaarvaia pause or sustaining of a note while performing
- kadinavathe first line in the katapayaadi formula, which has 9 letters ka kha ga gha nga ca cha ja jha nya
- kaikilai
- kaisiki nishaadamthe second ni of 3, N2, which corresponds to Bb (B flat) in the Western key of C.
- KalāIt means fine arts.
- Kāla
- kalai
- Kālapramāṇa swarāvaḷi
- KalaripayattuIt's a traditional martial art form from Kerala, where artist move with a grace of dancers at the same time wielding deadly weapons in their hands.
- KaliyugaKali Yuga is the last of the four stages the world goes through as part of the cycle of yugas described in the Indian scriptures
- Kalki
- kalpana sangeetam
- kalpanaa swaramthe part of a performance or song when swaras are improvised to fit the taaLa and return to the pallavi or first part of another section of the song. It is usually done at the end of a song, but may also be done in the middle. The main performer and non-percussion accompanists take turns doing(...)
- kalpita sangeetammusic that is written in notation or generally fixed in how it should be performed (as opposed to kalpana sangeetam). Created music instead of creative music
- kampa vihina raagaa raaga with no swaras that have kampita gamakam (opposite of sarva swara gamaka vaarika raaga). Examples are katanakutoohalam and sindu raamakriyaa
- kanamanother name for kshanam
- kanDama section or part of a raagaanga raaga lakshaNa geetam (also see khaNDika)
- KannaDaa South Indian language spoken especially in the state of KarnaaTaka. Many South Indian songs are in this language
- KapālaSkull
- KapālabhāthiKapālabhāthi is a combination of two Sanskrit words. 'kapāla' meaning 'skull,' and 'bhāthi' meaning 'light' or 'lustre.' This breathing exercise is done to cleanse the body. Kapālabhāthi is essentially performed to clear the respiratory passages by forceful expiration.
- KapitthaIt means wood apple. It is a favourite of Lord Ganesha. In dance, it is a single hand gesture.
- Kapotha
- Karkaṭa
- KarmaIt denotes the actions of the individual.
- Karma yogaKarma Yoga is the path of service, for in this path, it is believed that the present situation is based on one’s past actions. Karma Yoga is the path of action, service to others, mindfulness, and remembering the levels of our being while fulfilling our actions or karma in the world. Karma(...)
- KarṇaIn Sanskrit, it means Ear. It is also name of one of the greatest warriors, Karna who is one of the central characters in the epic Mahābhārata.
- KarnaaTaka
- karnaaTaka sampradaayam
- KarnātakaIt is one of the states in the southern part of India. The capital is Bengaluru (Spelt & pronounced Bangalore till recently) and the language spoken is Kannada. Many a famous composer hailed from this state.
- karpanai isaianother term for manOdharma sangeetam, or creative music
- karpanai swarasanother name for kalpanaa swaram
- kartaraagam- same as mElakarta
- Karthari aḍavu
- KartharimukhaIt is an Asamyutha hastha. Karthari means scissors. From the ardhapathāka hasthā, the little and the ring fingers are pressed against the thumb, while the index and the middle fingers are stretched to show a scissor.
- KarthariswasthikaIt is a Samyutha hastha. It means Crossed scissors gesture. When both hands are crossed holding the in kartharimukha mudhrā we get the karthariswasthika hastha.
- Karuṇa
- karuNaaa rasa (or feeling) of kindness and generosity in a song or raaga, found in the raagas sahaanaa, naadanaamakriyaa, and kaanaDaa
- KatakāmukhaOne of the single hand gestures in dance. Kataka means a Bracelet or link.
- KatakavardhhanaIt is a double hand gesture in Dance. It indicates Crossed katakāmukha. When both the hands are crossed holding the kaṭakāmukha mudrā, we get the kaṭakāvardhana hastha.
- katapayaadi
- Kathak
- Kathakali
- KatiWaist
- kaTTaithe pitch at which a performer performs. A kaTTai of 5, for example, is G in Western notation
- Katthi aḍavu
- KatvaIt means cot. In Bharathanātyam, it is indicated as follows: Hold the simhamukha hastha in both the hands at chest level and turn the hand so that the palm is facing upwards. Join the tips of the middle and ring fingers of both the hands.
- KaviIt means poet.
- KāvyaIt is a Sanskrit literary style. It means poetry.
- keertanaa sabhaa gaanam, a Carnatic song, usually of a devotional nature (vaidika gaanam). It has a saahitya to praise god or beg pardon, sometimes connected with puraanic incidents. The saahitya is more important in keertanas and it is said to have existed before the kriti. It has a pallavi, may or(...)
- keezh staayithe mandra staayi
- keezh staayi varisaisame as takku staayi varisai
- KethuHe is one of the nine planets in Indian astrology. He is the serpent tailed Lord of the Descending/South lunar node.
- khaNDa
- Khanḍa
- khaNDa caapu
- Khanḍa chāpuThis refers to a Chāpu thāla with 5 beats (2 + 3). A beat constitutes the angās in the thāla.
- Khanḍa Jāthi
- khaNDika- the division of a song into sections such as pallavi, anupallavi and caraNam. Each section may be called a khaNDika
- Kīlaka
- KīrthanamAn expressive Bharathanātyam item, usually devotional in sentiment, with lyrics in praise of a particular deity. A medium tempo item with some abstract dance elements included for interest. The sāhithya which plays an important role in this form is usually in praise of god or one that(...)
- kOlaaTTa Darua Daruvu that is a song sung during the time of dance
- KoṇaAngle
- kONangi Darua Daruvu that is a song supposed to be sung by a daivika kOmali (a divine Joker)
- koodal
- kOrvaia rhythmic phrase of several taaLa cycles, usually having a repetition of 3 within it, which may be sung, played, or performed on a percussion instrument
- Korvai aḍavuThe word Korvai means to compile, join or thread together. The Korvai Aḍavu is a combination of Thattu, Pàichal, Nāttu, Bhramari and Mandi aḍavu.
- kOvai
- kOvai varisai
- Kovil
- Krishnaan incarnation of Lord Vishnu (preserver of the universe), known as a cowherd, beautiful flautist, a great King of Dwaaraka, and for his mischief around the gopis, his many female admirers
- Kriṣhṇa
- kritia type of sabhaa gaanam, one of the most important types of songs with broad scope for neraval, kalpanaa swaras. They have a pallavi, anupallavi and at least 1 caraNam (or may have a samaashTi caraNa) with the same or different swara patterns in the caraNas. They can be either about God or(...)
- KriyaActivity
- kriyaa
- Kruthi / Krithi
- kshanamthe smallest unit of time, the time a needle takes to pierce one petal in a pile of 100 lotus petals together (also kanam)
- KṣhathriyaThose who were into defence and warfare were called Kshatriyas in the past. Today it refers to those born in the community which once engaged in warfare.
- ku
- ku-taabbreviation for kural taram
- ku-tuabbreviation for kural tutam
- ku-uabbreviation for kural uzhai
- ku-viabbreviation for kural vilari
- KūchipūḍiKūchipūḍi is the classical dance form from the South-Eastern state of Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from the village of Kuchelapuram, a small village about 65 kms from Vijayawāda. It is known for its graceful movements and its strong narrative dramatic character.
- Kudhitta meṭṭaḍavuKudhi means to jump and meṭṭu is to strike the floor gently on the toes with the heels raised up.
- KumbhakaBreath retention.
- KummiA women's folk dance from Tamizh Nāḍu, done in a circle with clapping.
- Kunchitha pādhaA foot position in dance where the foot is bent or curved.
- KuṅdaliniThe supreme Power, the primordial energy, which lies coiled at the base of the spine, in every human being.
- kural (1)
- kural (2)an ancient Tamil term from Silappadigaaram for notes that are of lower pitch (such as shuddha notes)
- kural kaikilai
- kural taram
- kural tutam
- kural uzhai
- kural vilari
- KuravanjiA group dance by women, interpreting literary or poetic compositions typically on the theme of fulfilment of the love of a girl for her beloved.
- KūrmaIn Sanskrit, it means a tortoise.
- Kūrmavathāra
- KurthāA loose shirt worn by men and women, reaching to just above the knees or somewhat below the knees, and worn over dhothis, churidhārs, salwārs or other pants.
- kutcErithe name for any Carnatic concert
- KuṭṭaḍavuIt is one of the footwork variations in Bharatanātyam. Kuṭṭanam means the striking of the ground with the foot.
- la
- laghu
- lakshaNaan essential characteristic of a raaga. There are 13 such lakshaNas for every raaga (see triOdasa lakshaNa)
- Lakṣhaṇa
- lakshaNa geetama type of geetam which tells about the raaga in which it is sung, as opposed to samanya geetam. They are of the type janaka raaga lakshana geetam and janya raaga lakshana geetam
- LakṣhmiShe is the Goddess of wealth and the wife of Lord Viṣhṇu.
- lasya
- LāsyaIt refers to abstract dance with graceful, lyrical and tender movements, usually ascribed to feminine qualities.
- LāvanyaIn Sanskrit, it means like beauty, loveliness or grace.
- laya
- Laya sadhaka
- linessometimes lines are placed over swaras or words to indicate that they should be performed faster. A single line doubles the speed of the swaras, and a double line quadruples the speed of the swaras. (see also vertical line)
- ma (1)an abbreviation for madhyamam
- ma (2)
- maargammeaning path, there are 6 ways to render taaLa correctly (the shanmaargams): dakshina, vartika and citra maargams, used only in pallavi, and citratara, citratama and aticitratama maargams used in kritis. One of the 13 lakshaNas of a raaga
- maataa
- maattirai- a unit for reckoning musical time. The anudrutam is 1/4 maattirai, laghu is 1 maattirai, and kaakapaadam is 4 maattirais
- Madhya
- madhya layamedium speed or tempo
- madhya staayithe middle octave (as opposed to the lower or higher ones), also known as sama mandilam. This is the octave in which most of a performance will take place. Madhya staayi swaras usually have no dots accompanying them, and are often lowercase
- madhyaadi
- Madhyama
- madhyama kaala- the 1st speed or kaala, with 4 swaras per beat
- madhyama shruti
- madhyamaantya
- madhyamam
- maguDa saahityawords for the maguDa swara
- maguDa swara
- MahābhārathaA major Sanskrit epic of ancient India, immensely important to Indian culture and a key source of themes for classical dance compositions.
- major diatonic scale
- major scale
- MalayaaLama South Indian language, spoken especially in the Indian state Kerala. Some compositions are written in MalayaaLam
- Mallari
- Manḍala bhedhasThe positions or postures of the feet can either be static or dynamic. The static postures are called Manḍala Bhedhas. There are 10 variations in Manḍala bhedha.
- ManḍiIt means knee in Tamil and Kannada. In Bharthanātyam we have postures such as muzhumanḍi and aramanḍi as also some aḍavus. Muzhumanḍi is the full seated position. Aramanḍi is the half seated position.
- mandilam
- mandra staayi
- mandramone of the 13 lakshaNas of a raaga
- mangaLaa raaga suitable for singing invocations and benedictory verses (aarati, mangaLam), such as sowraashTram, shuruTTi, madyamaavati, or yadukula kaambhOji
- Maṅgaḷa / maṅgaḷamBenediction. A short benedictory item of music or dance performed at the end of the last performance of the day.
- mangaLama song that is an invocation to the gods thanking them for a good concert and to remove the evil eye and any bad karma caused by improper singing of raagas (for example, singing a morning raaga at an evening concert, etc.). It is sung at the end of a concert
- MaNipravaaLam
- MaṇipūriIt is one of the classical dances of India from the state of Maṇipūr. Maṇipūri is a very graceful form of dance. It has very little facial expressions but its body movements are beautiful and graceful.
- ManmathaIn Sanskrit, the word refers to Cupid: the God of Love.
- manOdharma sangeetamliterally creative music (also kalpana sangeetam), as opposed to created (kalpita) music. It is created by the artist instantaneously on stage without precise preparation beforehand. There are 5 types of this creative, improvisational music (usually improvised during the performance, requiring(...)
- ManthraSubtle sound vibrations, which through repetitions expands one's awareness or consciousness.
- MārgamThe sequence of items in a Bharathanātyam recital. The literal meaning in Sanskrit is ‘the way or path’.
- Mārjari āsana
- MāruthaThis word in Sanskrit indicates the wind.
- MāruthiThe son of the Wind God. Another name for Hanumān.
- MathsyaIn Sanskrit, it means Fish. In yoga, we have a posture resembling the fish. In dance, when the right palm is placed over the back of the left palm, while both hold the Ardhhachandra hastha, Mathsya is formed.
- Mathsyāsana
- Mathsyāvathāra
- matya
- Matya Thāḷa
- MayūraIt means Peacock. It is a single hand gesture-asamyutha hastha – in Bharathanātyam, it is described as: From the thripathāka hastha, the ring finger and the tip of the thumb touch each other while the other fingers are held straight without any gap.
- mEla(or mElam) abbreviation for mElakarta
- mela mnemonic
- mElakartaa main raaga, consisting of all seven notes in order in both the descending and ascending scales. There are 72 such raagas. To qualify as a mElakarta, a raaga must have all 7 swaras ascending and descending, they must be in the regular order, they must be of the same type (swarastaana)(...)
- melivu mandila varisaisame as takku staayi varisai, varisais to get to the mandra staayi pa
- melivu mandilamancient Tamil for mandra staayi
- melodic minorin Western music, the minor scale with the 6th and 7th notes shifted upwards by a half-step (one swarastaana) in the ascending scale only. This gives a scale with the aarOha of the mela varuNapriyaa and the avarOha of kharaharapriyaa
- melody
- mElstaayi varisaisame as hecu staayi varisai
- men's shrutiusually a man's shruti is at a pitch of 1 to 1 1/2 (equivalent to C or C# in Western notation)
- mi
- midday raagaa raaga suitable for performing in the middle of the day (around noon to 1 pm), such as madyamaavati, maNirangu, or shree raaga
- minor scalethe second most common scale in Western music, it is the equivalent of kharaharapriyaa raaga. It corresponds to the major scale by shift of sa downwards by 2 notes (4 swarastaanas, sa to d2), or a minor third. It is also called the Aeolian mode of the major scale
- minor third
- mishra
- mishra caapua taaLa of 7 beats, 3 plus 4, with the sound taka takiTa, formed by two quick beats (2) with the back of the hand, a pause (1) and then two slow beats (2 + 2)
- mishritamusing a mixture of different types of gamakas
- modea Western classical concept, in which at least one of the 7 notes of the major scale is changed (raised or lowered) to create a new scale. In this way, different scales can be formed, creating a subset of scales similar to raagas. There are many modes. The Aeolian mode of the major scale gives(...)
- moorcanaakaaraka
- moorcanaia gamaka that involves using the proper shaking required in the raaga that is being performed
- morning raagaa raaga suitable for performing in the morning (6-9 am) after sunrise (after the early morning raagas), such as bilahari, kEdaaram, or dhanyaasi
- MounaSilence
- mridanga yati- opposite of Damaru yati, this is a rhythmic pattern of swaras or words which is narrow at the ends and wide in the middle (a combination of srotovaaha and gOpucca yatis). ex: pdn-mpdn-gmpdn-mpdn-pdn
- Mrudhaṅgam
- mudal naDai
- MudhraGesture
- MudhrāA symbolic gesture using the hands and fingers in thanthra. This term has also been used to refer to hand gestures in Bharathanātyam, where they are used for decoration as well as expressing meaning. Hastha mudhrās or hand gestures are the most important element of dance.
- mudra
- mudritama gamaka which involves humming, as in mmmm...
- MukhaFace
- muktaanga kampita raagas
- muktaayi swaraa section of swaras sung after the pallavi and anupallavi of a varnam
- Mukula
- MūlaRoot
- Mūladhāra ChakraIt is the lowest energy centre in the human body where the kundalini Shakti (serpent power) resides. It is situated in the perennial floor in men and the cervix in women.
- MuniSage
- munnar baagamfrom Silappadigaaram, an ancient Tamil word for poorvaangam
- Murugan
- Muṣhṭi
- music
- musical force
- Muthuswami Dhikṣhithar
- Muzhumanḍi
- Muzhumanḍi PrenkhaṇaPrenkhaṇam indicates Swing. First, sit in the Muzhumandi position. The right leg is then outstretched to the right with the toes pointing up. This position can also be held with the legs the other way round.
- na
- naabhitam
- Naada Brahmam
- naadam
- naDai
- Naḍai
- Nādha
- NādiEnergy channels in the body
- Nādishodhana PrāṇāyāmaAlternate Nostril breathing technique
- NāgabandhaThis is a hastha mudhra used to denote Nāgabhandha or Twining Snakes. The nāgabandha is placed at chest level.
- nalayira divya prabhandama type of sabhaa gaanam which is a collection of 4000 hymns composed by 12 Vaishnava saints (Pogai Alwar, Bhutatalwar, Peialwar, Perialwar, Tirumazhisai Alwar, Tirupanalwar, Tirumangai Alwar, TinDaradipodi Alwar, Nammalwar, Madurakavi Alwar, KulasEkara Alwar, and AaNDaaL and compiled by(...)
- Namasthe/Namaskār/Namaskāra/NamaskaramThe most popular form of greeting in India, especially the elders, is to say Namasthe with the hands joined at the chest level. It is also used at the time of farewell.
- Namasthe/NamaskāraI bow to you.
- Nandhi/Nandikeśhwara
- Nara
- NarasimhaHe is the fourth incarnation of Lord Viṣhṇu. He is half man and half lion.
- NarthakaIn Sanskrit, it means a Male dancer.
- NarthakiIn Sanskrit, it means a Female dancer.
- NaTaraaja
- Natarāja
- Nāṭṭaḍavu
- NaṭṭuvanārOne who wields the cymbals/Thāḷam and conducts the performance; one who does Naṭṭuvāṅgam.
- NaṭṭuvāṅgamThe practice or art of reciting rhythmic syllables and striking cymbals on particular beats that follow the foot work of the dancer; The art of conducting Bharathanātyam, a dance recital.
- natural minorsame as the minor scale
- NātyaThe dramatically oriented aspects of dance are called Nātya, including spoken dialogue and mime, to convey meaning and enact narrative.
- Nātya ŚhāsthraA scripture attributed to the sage Bharatha that deals with theatre arts and dance. The Nātya Śhāsthra is about 2,000 years old. Written by Sage Bharatha.
- Nātya vedha
- NātyārambhaThis the basic hand position in Bharatanātyam.
- Naukāsana
- Nāva / NoukaBoat
- navagrahameaning 9 planets, the navagraha kritis are 9 songs, each composed on a different planet. The most famous are by Dikshitar
- Nāvāsana / NoukāsanaBoat posture
- naya
- Nāyaka
- Nāyaki
- neravalsinging a single line or phrase from a song with varying tunes. This is usually done in the middle of a song, taking a particular phrase and expanding it, while still keeping the words split properly. It may also be performed in various raagas as a raagamaalika
- nEtrathe second cakra, which has 6 melakartas that contain M1, R1 and G2, numbered 7-12
- ni (1)abbreviation for nishaadam
- ni (2)abbreviation for kaisiki nishaadam (N2)
- ni-kaiabbreviation for nirai kaikilai
- ni-taabbreviation for nirai taram
- ni-tuabbreviation for nirai taram
- ni-uabbreviation for nirai uzhai
- ni-viabbreviation for nirai vilari
- NidhraSleep
- night raagaa raaga meant to be sung only at night time, from 7-10 pm. This includes raagas such as neelaambari and kEdaara gowLa
- NimīlithaIt means half closed in Sanskrit. It is one of the Driṣhṭi bhedhas. The eyes are kept half closed in this variation.
- nirairefers to a higher pitch of swaras relative to one another, an ancient Tamil term from Silappadigaaram
- nirai kaikilai
- nirai taram
- nirai tutam
- nirai uzhai
- nirai vilari
- NirbhayaBhaya indicates fear and with the prefix ’ni’ it indicates ‘without fear’.
- NirruthiThe south west direction is Nirruthi. In the Vedhic times, it was depicted as a female goddess. Later it denotes a male god in charge of the directions. In dance, it can be depicted as follows: Hold khatva in the left hand and śhakata in the right hand.
- nishaadaantya
- nishaadam
- nissabdaas opposed to sasabda, these taaLa movements make sounds (beats, for example the anudrutam). It is found in sapta taaLas
- NiyamaIt consists of the five "observances": purity, contentment, austerity, study, and the surrender to god.
- nonvivaaDi32 melakartas are not vivaaDi
- note
- notes
- NruthyaInterpretive dance, using facial expressions, hand gestures and body movements to portray emotions and express themes is termed Nruthya.
- NrutthaNruttha is the set of abstract dance movements with rhythm but without expression of a theme or emotion. It is also called pure dance.
- Nruttha HasthasA sub-set of the hasthas (hand gestures) that find use in nruttha (abstract dance).
- nuabbreviation for kaakali nishaadam (N3)
- nyaasa
- nyaasamone of the 13 lakshaNas of a raaga that describes what nyaasa swaras the raaga has
- octave
- OdishaThe way in which the name of the state of Orissa is pronounced in the native language.
- OdissiThe classical dance form which is from the state of Orissa. . It is the oldest surviving dance form in India on the basis of archaeological evidence.
- oliTamil word for sound
- OmThe universal mantra; cosmic vibration of the universe
- one-fourth eDuppu
- one-half eDuppu
- pa (1)an abbreviation for pancamam
- pa (2)part of the mela mnemonic, a word to represent the 1st combination of dana (D1 and N1) in the 1st melakarta in any cakra
- paanaa MalayaaLam poetic style written in couplets
- pada varnama varnam that has rhythmic elements like a padam, meant for classical dance. It has cowka kaala (some madhyama kaala) swaras suitable for footwork, and saahitya for abhinayam at the muktaayi swaras as well as all the caraNas. Performed in aadi taaLa, roopakam and others. Also called cowka(...)
- padajati varnama varnam which contains some jatis in it, often meant for classical dance
- padama particular type of musical form or composition (sabhaa gaanam), meant for dance, that brings out the relationship of naayaka-naayaki (hero and heroine) as well as tOzhi (close friend) to tell important truths. The words are written through the mouth of the naayaka, naayaki or tOzhi,(...)
- PādhaIn Sanskrit, it means feet.
- Padha varṇam
- Padham
- PadhmakośhaIt is one of the Asamyutha hastha. It means lotus bud. Turn the hand so that the palm is facing upwards. All the fingers are stretched and bent slightly to form the padmakośha hastha. It looks like holding a ball or a fruit.
- Padhmāsana
- padipancathe 3rd line in the katapayaadi formula, with 5 letters, pa pha ba bha ma
- pagal paNN
- Pāichal aḍavuIn Tamil, Pāichal means to leap. In Sanskrit, it is ‘Uthplavana’. This Aḍavu involves leaping movements, covering space either to the sides or front with horizontal or through vertical jumps.
- pallavi (1)meaning sprout or bud (or leaf) in the comparison of a song with a tree, it is usually the first section of a song, which may be repeated again after the anupallavi and caraNas. It is usually short (1-2 lines)
- pallavi (2)
- pancamaantyaraagas whose scales range only up to madhyastaayipancamam, without touching da, ni, or taarasa. It also refers to raagas such as naadataarangini, which have scales like spmrgrs - Spndpmgrs that return to the madhyastaayisa
- pancamam
- pancamashruti
- pancaratnameans 5 gems, referring to 5 songs set in ghanaraagas, they are 5 songs on a specific subject or deity. The most famous pancaratnakritis are by Tyaagaraaja
- PaNNthe forerunner of raaga, before the split of Hindustani and Carnatic raaga. It consisted of audava, shaadava and sampoorna types with bhaashaanga types as well (with anyaswaras). Formerly there were 103, with 23 used in TEvaram
- paNNirunilamancient Tamil name for swarastaana
- paNNiruveeDuancient Tamil name for swarastaana
- ParabrahmanIt is a term often used by Vedāntic philosophers about the "attainment of the ultimate goal". It is a Sanskrit word - para meaning beyond and Brahman meaning universal self or spirit. Parabrahman is That which is beyond Brahman - The self-enduring, eternal, self-sufficient cause of all(...)
- ParakīyaThe married woman in love with another man. One of numerous categories of nayikās, or heroines, in Bharathanātyam.
- ParamāthmaSupreme Being
- ParaśhurāmaHe is the sixth of the ten incarnations of Lord Viṣhṇu and is the son of a Brahmin father Jamadhagni and mother Reṇukā in Hindhu mythology. In Daśhāvathāra hasthas he is depicted as an angry man holding the axe. Hold Muṣhṭi hastha in left hand and Ardhhapathāka hastha in the right hand to(...)
- Paraval aḍavu
- ParavritthamIt is one of the Śhiro bhedhas (head variations). It means turning. The face is turned away either to the right side or the left side. Alternately, the head is also moved from a side to side like a pattern of alphabet S.
- ParivahithaIt is one of the Śhiro bhedas(head variations). It means moving widely. The head is moved from side to with ears touching the shoulders alternately.
- ParivarthithaIt is one of the grīva bhedhas (neck variations). It means revolving round. Move the neck from side to side resembling the shape of a half moon.
- Parivruttha thrikonasanaParivruttha means to turn around or revolve. Trikoṇa means thrī angles or a triangle. This is a revolving triangle posture.
- Pārṣhni pārshwagathiIt is one of the foot positions. Pārṣhni means Heel and Pārśhva means near/Side. a. In Aramanḍi b. In Samapādha
- PārshvaSide
- PārśhwasūchiIt is one of the Foot positions. Pārśhva means side and Sūchi means Triangle.
- Pārśhwasūchi PrenkhaṇaIt is one of the foot positions. Pārśhva means Side; Sūchi means Triangle; Prenkhaṇam means moving towards.
- PaschimaWest
- PaschimotthānāsanaBack stretching posture
- Paśchimotthānāsana
- PāśhaIt is one of the Samyutha hastha. It means Bond or enmity. When both the hands holding the thāmrachūḍa hastha are interlocked with one another with the index fingers, we get the pāśha hastha.
- PathākaIt is one of the Asamyutha hasthas. It means Flag. All the fingers are kept closer to each other with the tip of the thumb bent and placed at the base of the index finger.
- Pathanjali
- perfect fifthsee fifth
- perfect thirdsee third
- Peri aḍavuPeriya means big. These steps are used to cover big space. This is also known as Usi aḍavu. Usi means off beat.
- Piṅgala Nādi
- pinnarbaagamancient Tamil name from Silappadigaaram for poorvaangam
- plutama taaLa movement which has 12 beats, a beat, then a wave to the left and a wave to the right. Its symbol is ^8.
- podupaNN
- poorvaangam (1)the first four swaras S R G M of the octave (as opposed to uttaraangam 1)
- poorvaangam (2)the combined set of pallavi, anupallavi and muktaayiswaras in a varnam
- poorvamelakartasthe 36 melakartas (1-36) that use shuddhamadhyamam, the shuddhamadhyamammelakartas
- PrakampithaIt is one of the grīva bhedha (neck variation). It means shaking. The neck is moved back and forth like the neck of a male pigeon.
- PrakrithiNature
- PralokithaIt is one of the Dhriṣhṭi bhedhas. It means wide glance. The pupils are moved to the corner of the eyes from right to left and vice versa.
- PrāṇaVital energy force sustaining life and creation
- Prāṇāyāma
- prastaaram- meaning spreading out, it is a splitting of an anga into all of its possible component parts. For example, catusralaghu can be split the following ways: 1. | 2. U0 + U 3. 0 + 0 4. 0 + U + U 5. U + U0 6. U + 0 + U 7. U + U + 0 8. U + U + U + U
- PrathyāhāraSense withdrawal
- PrathyālīḍaTaking a particular stance when shooting, also meaning extended towards the left.
- Prathyaṅgas
- pratimadhyamamthe higher ma, M2, used in the second 36 melakartas and their janyas, which corresponds to F# of the Western key of C
- pratimadhyamammelakartasthe uttaramelakartas
- pratyaavatam
- pravEshikaDarua Daruvu that is sung for introducing the actors and actresses of a musical play at the very beginning
- prayOgaa particular phrase that is characteristic of a raaga. It helps show the uniqueness of the raaga when performed and may also contain anyaswaras not present in the raaga scales
- Prenkhana