Fundamental of Ancient Indian Music and Dance

Author(s): Sureshchandra Benarji
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 70

Dance
the left one moving round in all directions. Then the left and right feet are respectively Sīci and Apakrānta.
Sūciyiddha
The right foot is successively Sūci and Bhramara. Then the left one is Pārśvakrānta and Apakrānta, and the right foot Sūci. Then the left foot is Apakrānta and the right Pārsvakrānta.
REKHA
It is the name of a particular position of the body, attractive to the mind and the eyes. In it, there is a harmonious combination of the various poses of the major limbs, e.g. head, eyes, hands. Qualification of a dancer
Generally women are fit for various movements in dancing. They are of three types, i.e. Mugdhā (shy), Madhyā (normal) and Pragalbhā (bold, confident). The types correspond to three stages of youthfulness. The first is the stage of adolescence in which there is eagerness for the kind of amorous pleasure in which the lips, full-grown breasts, cheeks, hips and thighs are concealed due to shyness. The second is the life of love in which the woman has heavy thighs and hips, large, hard, heaving and firm breasts. The third is the stage in which there is a maddening charm, the woman is clever in perfect amorous sports and has spontaneous amorous feelings.
Merits and defects of a dancer
The following are the merits of a dancer : beauty of limbs, perfection of form, charming full face, large eyes, red lips, beautiful teeth, conch-like neck, arms like moving creapers, slender waist, not-too-heavy hips, thighs like elephanttrunks, not too tall, crippled or fat, not having prominent veins, conspicuous charm, sweetness, courage, generosity, fair or dark complexion. The best dancer, by delicate movements,