Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
abhinaya

abhinaya

9.9
A way of using face, hands, and body to show stories and feelings in Indian classical dance
  • noun
  • /əˈbɪnəjə/
  • Indian
translation icon : abhinaya
  • The dancers showcased their abhinaya skills, effectively telling the story without words.

Examples

  • In Indian classical dance, abhinaya is used to convey deep emotions through expressions and gestures.

  • Kudiyattam plays, always based on classical Sanskrit texts, many of them composed in Kerala, invariably include a long nirvahanam or "retrospective" in which a character reveals, mostly by the silent language of hand- and eye-gestures, abhinaya, the long process that has brought him or her to the present moment in the play.

    Blog text (12)

  • Through abhinaya.

    Life of Pi (2012)

  • Her performance was a stunning display of abhinaya, captivating the audience with her expressive movements.

How Expressive

abhinaya
  • Indian
9.9
drama
239 1.8
mime
8 5.1
dance
947 1.0
gesture
140 2.3

Surface Forms

abhinaya singular
abhinayas plural

Etymology

Abhinaya comes from Sanskrit parts abhi- ('towards') and naya ('leading' or 'showing'). So in Indian dance, abhinaya is like 'acting' or 'expression' — the art of 'bringing feelings forward' with the face, hands, and body.