NRITTA,   NRITYA  AND   NATYA

The term  `Natya is  belived to have derived from ‘NAT’ meaning to move or act. It was Bharatha who described dance according to the classification of Nritta, Nritya and Natya.

NRITTA

         Nritta means pure dance . It always reflected the mood , bhava and rasa underlying the compositions sung for dance .  It is important for its pure beauty .  This division of dance doesnot evoke much facial expressions.  Foot work is given prominence in this .  Abhinayadarpana defines nritta as bodily movements without evoking rasabhava.

           Rasa bhavaviheenaantu  nrittamityabhidhiyate

         Tala and laya are the basic concepts of Nritta.  “Nrittam Talalayasritam “ as given in Dasarupaka stresses the basic concepts of Nritta.  Nritta figures in the first part of  a dance performance . It involves bodily movements and consists of Chari, Rechaka, Angaharas,  Karanas,  Bhramaris,  Nrittahasthas ect.  Nritta is divided into three forms such as Vishama, Vikata and Laghu .  Generally expressional aspect is given less importance and more emphasis is given for the movement of various  angas of the of various body.

NRITYA

             Nritya consists of foot work and Abhinaya.  It relates to rasa and psychological state. Angika  abhinaya relating to Hastha, eyes, eyebrows, lips etc. are very important in Nritya.  It can be considered as the miming aspect of dance.

             Rasabhavavyanjanadiyuktam nrityamitriyate

Nritya mainly depends  on Bhavabhinaya . It has five forms such as Vishama. Vikata, Laghu, Perani and Gundali. The term is belived to have derived from Nrit meaning bodily movements.  Nritya is considered to be that form of dance that suggests both bhava and Rasa. It combines all the three the three forms of abhinaya namely Angika,  Vachika and Satvika.

Natya

             Natya means abhinaya and it it is the combined manifestation of bhava, rasa and abhinaya . The term Natya is derived from the root `Nat` meaning movement and to means to dance or act . It can also be considered as the combination of lyal, isai and Nataka i.e., Literature, Music and Drama.

            Natyam tannatakam chaiva poojyam purvakathayutam

   Bharatha described Natya as pure abhinaya having six anges such as postures, words , gestures, expression of temperament ,music and rasa. Facial abhinaya is very important in Natya . It is divided into sections .  They are Bhana, Veedhi, Anga, Vyayoga, Samavakara, Yihamriga, Dima, Prahasana, Nataka etc.  This constitutes the Dasarupakas.

            Avastanukritirnnatyam rupam drisyocchyate

            Rupakam tat sannaropat  dasadhaivarasrayam

             Among the dance forms figuring in classcical dance, the sequence of Nritta ,Nritya and  Natya are followed. Alarippu, Kautvam Jathiswaram, comes under Nritta.  Svarajathi, Sabdam and Varnam come under Nritya and Pades comes under Natya category.