Mandalasa, Mandālasa, Manda-alasa: 1 definition

Introduction:

Mandalasa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Shodhganga: Elements of Art and Architecture in the Trtiyakhanda of the Visnudharmottarapurana (natya)

Mandālasa (मन्दालस) refers to one of the nine kinds of upaveśana or “sitting postures” (in Sanskrit Dramas), as conveyed through Āṅgikābhinaya: one of the four divisions of Abhinaya or “ways to convey or represent one’s emotion to others”, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra and the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, nine kinds of upaveśana i.e., sitting postures are accepted for Drama. The word mandālasa is the amalgamation of two words viz., manda i.e., slow and ālasa i.e., lazyness. To show worry, sadness and separation as well as excitement, the actor should stretch one leg and sit on other and this position is called mandālasa posture. In the 4th act of Abhijñānaśakuntala, it can be seen that Śakuntalā was worried and was lost due to the separation with her husband Duṣyanta. If the drama Abhijñānaśakuntala has to be enacted in a stage, the character of Śakuntalā has to sit in the mandālasa posture as this posture is suggested to take in grief by the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa.

Natyashastra book cover
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).

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