Paadha Bhedhas – variations of feet movements

[ Based on Abhinaya Darpana by

Nandikeshwara]

The word paadha means “feet” and “bhedha” means

variations. In other words, they are Paadhakriyas –
movements of the feet.

The Abhinaya Darpana classifies the Paadha bhedas as-

1. Mandala - Postures
Mandalas are further divided into
 Mandala Bheda
 Sthanaka Bheda

2. Utplavanam – leaps
 Utplavanam bheda

3. Bhramari – Spins
 Bhramari Bheda

4. Chaari – Gait
Chaaris are further divided into
 Chaari Bheda
 Gati Bheda
Vakshyate paadhabhedaanaam lakshanam poorvasammatham
Will be different feet positions definition in accordance with
described previous traditions

mandala uthplavane chaiva bhramari paadhachaarika

posture leaps and also spins gait

chathurdhaa paadhabhedah syuh theshaam lakshanam uchyathe

four types of feet of those definitions is being
variations said

meaning: according to ancient traditions, four types of feet positions

and movements are described. They are: mandala, uthplavan,
bhramari and paadhachaari.

1. Mandala Bheda – types of postures of the feet/legs

Sthaanakam cha aayatham aalidham prenkhana prerithani cha

And and
Pratyaalidam svastikam cha motitham samasoochika

Parshvasoochi ithi cha dasha mandalani eerithaneecha

Thus and ten postures described here
Meaning: there are thus ten simple postures of the feet/leg:
Sthaanakam
Aayatham Aalidam Prenkhana Preritha Pratyaalidam Swastika
Motitha Samasoochi Parshwasoochi

Sthaanakam Standing in samapaadam

Aayatham Sitting in araimandi, with 3 to 5 inches
space between the feet.
Aalidam 1. Right foot forward forming an L
shape with the left foot, holding
shikara on the left and
katakamukha on the right
2. Stretching backwards towards the
right corner, sitting on the right
leg, left leg is stretched towards
the left front corner, left foot
should not raise. Hands are kept
on the waist [right hand higher
than left]
Prenkhana Left leg is stretched out with foot raised.
Hold kurma hasta
Preritha Squat with feet apart. Left hand shikara
and right hand pataka in natyarambha
position
Pratyaalidam Opposite of Aalidam
Swastika Jerk, lift and cross the foot over the
other, in samam and araimandi
Motitha Mandi adavu- jump and drop the knee,
on the right and left. Hands holding
tripataka in natyrambha position.
Samasoochi Both knees down, hands holding
hamsasya in meditative posture.
Parshwasoochi Right knee down. Hands holding
tripataka in natyrambha position.
 3. Sthaanaka Bheda- types of static postures of the body

Paadhavinyaasabhedena sthaanakm shadvidham bhaveth

According to steps of feet sthaanaka six types should be

Samapaadam cha ekapaadam naagabandha thathah param

and Then after

Aindram cha gaarudam chaiva brahmasthaanam ithikramaath

And and also thus in order

Meaning: there are 6 types of sthaanaka postures according to

different positions of the feet, they are: samapaadham, ekapaadam,
naagabhandha, aindram, garuda and brahmasthaanam

Samapaadham Standing in samapaadham

Ekapaadham Lift the right leg and rest it on the left
knee. Hands holding hamsasya, right hand
above the head and left hand below the
chest, in meditation.
Naagabhandha Feet crossed over each other, held at 90°.
Hands holding naagabhandha hasta
Aindram 1. Right leg is lifted and placed on the
left knee. Hands are done in two
ways- tripataka on the right hand,
above the head and left hand kept as
dola. The other type is both hands
holding tripataka crossed above the
head.
 2. The right leg is lifted and tucked in
[right toes touching the back of the
left knee]. Hands are done in two
ways- tripataka on the right hand,
above the head and left hand kept as
dola. The other type is both hands
holding tripataka crossed above the
head.
Garuda 1. Stretch towards the left front corner,
placing both knees down, [with right
leg stretching back]. Hands are held
in garuda hasta. Another type is
lifting both hands up holding pataka
like a bird
2. Sit with right knee down and left
foot placed flat on the floor, facing
the left front corner. ]. Hands are
held in garuda hasta. Another type is
lifting both hands up holding pataka
like a bird.
Brahmasthaanam Sit in padmaasana. Hands holding
hamsasya hasta, done two ways- i) right
hand above the hand, left hand below the
chest.
ii) both hands held at the chest
[meditative stance]

Uthplavana – types of leaps

Atha uthplavana bhedhaanaam lakshanam parikathyathe

Now leaps of varieties definition is described
Alagam karthari vaa ashvah uthplavanam motitham tathaa
And and
Kripaalagam ithi khayaatham panchadhaa uthplavanam budhaih
Thus explained five types leaps by scholars

Meaning: classification of five various leaps by scholars is as

follows: alagam, karthari, ashvam, motitham and kripaalagam.

Alagam Jump holding shikara which moves from the

chest to natyarambha position. Do it twice.
Kartari Leap to the left side landing with the right foot
in front, holding kartarimukha on both hands,
right hand is extended forward and body
bends to the right. Repeat on the left.
Ashvam Leap up and forward with knees together[like
a horse], right hand as pataka and left hand as
shikara held near the chest. Can also be done
with both hands holding tripataka.
Motitha Leap to the right side with left foot crossing
behind the right foot. Right hand holds pataka,
stretched out to the right and left ihand holds
shikara above the head. Repeat on the left.
Kripaalagam Leap forward and then backward. Left hand
holds katakamaukha above the head. Right
hand goes from the chest as katakamukha to
the front as alapadma.
Bhramari bheda- types of spins/ turns

Bhramarya lakshanaani athra vakshye lakshanabhedhathah

Of bhramari features here explained will describe

Uthpluthabhramari chakrabhramari garuda abhidhaa

Named

Thathaa ekapaada bhramari kunchita bhramari thathaa

Like wise also

Aakasha bhramari cha eva thathaa angabhramareethi cha

And also thus and

Bhramaryah saptha vignyeyaa natyashastravishaaradaih

Seven should be understood by the experts of natyashastra

Meaning: given are the names of various turns and spins in dance.
according to experts of Natyashastra, they are 7 in number: Utplutha,
Chakra, garuda, ekapaada, kunchitha, Aaksha and anga.
Utplutha bhramari Jump and spin. Hands on the waist.
Chakra bhramari Sweep the left foot from front to back
and turn. Right hand extends to the
side and is taken around and brought
back to chest level.
Garuda bhramari Lift the right leg, keeping the leg
straight, turn one full round balancing
on the left leg. Hasta held is garuda.
Ekapaada bhramari 1. In samapaadam, lift the right leg
and rest on the left knee and
spin. Right hand holding
alapadma extends from the right
side and comes back to chest
level.left hand is above the head
holding katakamukha.
2. The leg lifted does not rest on
the opposite knee but is lifted
upto the stomach and spin.
Hastas and hands action remains
the same.
both 1 and 2 are done on the
right and left.
Kunchita bhramari Ekapaada bhramari is done in
araimandi
Aakasha bhramari Jump, extend both legs out in a split
position and turn
Anga bhramari It is done in a squat position with feet
slightly apart. Both hands hold
hamsasya above the head. 1. body
bends from the left, forward, down
and back up from the right side.
2.body bends to the right and
backwards and then towards the left,
and then downwards and back to
centre.
Chaari bheda- types of walks or gaits

Atha athra chaaribhedhaanaam lakshanam kathyathe mayaa

Then here different varieties of gaits definition is being said by me

Aadhau thu chalanam proktham pashchaachchankramanam

First said then
thathaa
also

Saranam veginee chaiva kuttanam cha thathah param

And also and then afterwards

Lutitham lolitham chaiva thatho vishama sancharah

And also then
chaaribheda amee ashtau prokthaa bharathavedhibhih
varieties of these eight said by experts of bharatha’s
stepping natyashastra

Meaning: according to the experts of bharata’s natyashastra, there

are eight different types of gaits/walks, they are: chalana,
chankramana, sarana, veginee, kuttana, lutitha, lolitha and vishama
sanchara
chalana Casual walk
chankramana Jerk walk
sarana Walk like a leech, with feet
gliding over the floor. done in
both samam and araimandi
veginee Walking fast with alapadma
going forward from the chest.
kuttana Stamping the toes and heels on
the floor
Lutitha Graceful walk, in araimandi.
1. kick the leg from the floor and
upwards, landing on the heel, on
both sides,
2.place the right heel on the
ground turning it towards the
left, turn and sit in tribhangi.
Repeat on left.
Both are done holding hamsasya
out next to the thighs on the side.
Lolitha Thaka di mi don with right foot
facing front.
Vishama sanchara Walking with feet crossing over,
with swastika hasta