Satvikabhinaya, Sātvikābhinaya, Satvika-abhinaya: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Satvikabhinaya 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)

[«previous next»] — Satvikabhinaya in Natyashastra glossary
Source: archive.org: Illustrations of Indian Music and Dance in Western Indian Style (natya)

Sātvikābhinaya (सात्विकाभिनय) or simply sātvika refers to the first of four categories of abhinaya (histrionic representation). Sātvika-abhinaya expresses the understanding and interpretation of various state in relation to sentiment. Abhinaya is the imitation of the thing seen by self or is an expression of sentiment experienced by oneself.

Source: Indian Classical Dances: Techniques of classical dances

Sattwika (or psychological): One of the four Abhinaya (expressional aspect of dance). This is the representation of eight psychic conditions. These eight conditions are motion-lessness, perspiration, horripilation, and change of voice, trembling, change of colour, tears and fainting.

It is shown particularly by the eyes and as a whole by the entire being of the performer, who feels the mood, the character and the emotion as emerging from the self, not as an act or practical presentation.

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

Sātvikābhinaya (सात्विकाभिनय) or simply Sātvika refers to one of the four divisions of Abhinaya or “ways to convey or represent one’s emotion to others” (in Sanskrit Drama), according to 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.—Abhinaya (“acting”) is of four varieties, according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa. The last variety is called sātvikābhinaya that deals with the feelings, emotions and expressions, conveyed by the actors. Flow of tears, horripilation, sweating, throbbing of heart and faultering speech come under the sātvikābhinaya. It is important to note here that in the Nāṭyaśāstra the word bhāvabyañjaka is used for the sātvikābhinaya. When the inner ideas of a dramatist are expressed by means of words, gestures, facial expressions and the representation of sattva, those are called bhāvas. In the Abhinavabhārati commentary, the word bhāva and sattva are established by Abhinavagupta in a similar sense through the term cittavṛtti i.e., the state of mind or feeling.

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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