In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (natya)

Elirkai means to “show hand gesture beautifully, dancing to rhythm” and is part of the double hand tradition (pinnayal or reṭṭaikkai-marapu), which itself forms a division of Abhinaya or Avinaya (artistic expressions) as defined in the second book of the Pañcamarapu (‘five-fold traditional usage’) which represents an important piece of Tamil literature.—The Pañcamarapu (“five-fold traditional usage”) refers to a book on five established literary usages (five-fold traditional usages) defines terms such as Elirkai. It was composed by Cerai Aṟivanār in the 9th century AD during the time of Pandyan Tirumaran of the last Caṅkam Period.

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Elirkai (एलिर्कै) refers to “graceful posture of the hand” and represents a group of “gestures” (Mudrā or Hasta), as defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—On the whole, there are thirty-two mudrās/hastas (hand gestures) and they are divided into two major groups–tolirkai and elirkai. Tolirkai comprises functional and expressive gestures, which communicate a specific meaning. Elirkai, also called nāṭyakaram, is a graceful posture of the hand, with no specific meaning but which adds balance and elegance to the total form.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Languages of India and abroad

Tamil dictionary

Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil Lexicon

Eḻiṟkai (எழிற்கை) [eḻiṟ-kai] noun < idem. +. Graceful gesture of the hand in dancing; அழகுபெறக் காட்டுங்கை. பிண்டியும் பிணையலு மெழிற்கையுந் தொ ழிற்கையும் [azhaguperag kattungai. pindiyum pinaiyalu mezhirkaiyun tho zhirkaiyum] (சிலப்பதிகாரம் அரும்பதவுரை [silappathigaram arumbathavurai], 3, 18).

context information

Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Kai.

Full-text (+46): Dola, Gaja, Prasarita, Tolirkai, Dandahasta, Prasaritahasta, Dolahasta, Dharmacakra, Anjali, Kataka, Nidra, Alapadma, Pallava, Ardha-pataka, Mushti, Vyakhyana, Dhyana, Alingana, Varada, Shuci.

Relevant text

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