Meyppatu, Meyppāṭu, Meyppaṭu: 1 definition

Introduction:

Meyppatu means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Tamil. 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: The significance of the mūla-beras (natya)

Meyppāṭu refers to the “physical manifestations of moods/emotions” as defined in the Tolkāppiyam (2nd century BC): a source book on linguistic and grammatical study, social anthropology, psychology and cultural ecology, representing an important piece of Tamil literature.—Meyppāṭu is the integrated psychophysical activity expressive of emotions evoked by dramatic performance or perception of poetry. It is intended to express the inner feelings (emotions) through tears, enthrallment, sweating, and shivering, so that others can understand their feelings. The physical manifestation of emotions through the physique is known as meyppāṭu.

It says that the basic Meyppāṭu are of eight types. They are described in the following lines:

  1. Nakai (laughter),
  2. Alukai (crying),
  3. Ilivaral (mental fatigue),
  4. Maruṭkai (surprise),
  5. Accam (fear),
  6. Perumitam (sense of pride),
  7. Vekuli (anger),
  8. Uvakai (joy),

The above eight are the common feelings. When each of them is explained in terms of four types, they become thirty-two. They are called “common natural feelings”. The emotions caused by kalavu and kaṟpu-akaolukkam form the thirty-two “special natural feelings”. The thirty-two “common natural feelings” and the thirty-two ‘special natural feelings’ make sixty-four meyppāṭu types which are common for akam and puṟam. Since the inner feelings expressed (meyppāṭu) by the hero and the heroine in their romantic or amorous life are related to practical realistic life, these meypāṭukal are very much relevant to or befitting of the arts of dance and drama.

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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