Abhinaya Dharpana
Nandikeshvara (2nd century AD) was the great theorist on stage-craft of ancient India.He was the author of the Abhinaya Darpana (The Mirror of Gesture).Abhinaya Darpana is a an epic consisting of 3242 slokas.
Yetho Hasta Thatho Drishti
Yetho Drishtis Thatho Manah
Yetho Manas Thatho Baavo
Yetho Baavas Thatho Rasah
Meaning:
Wherever the hand goes the eyes follow
Wherever the eyes go the mind follows
When the mind is engaged, expression results
Where there is expression, there is beauty
- Abhinaya Darpana, Shloka No. 247
Where the Natyashastra explains aspects of theater and dance that includes expression, movements, music, theater construction, and costumes, the Abhinayadarpana concentrates on abhinaya or expression - including facial movements and hand gestures.
The AbhinayaDarpana has a sloka that describes Patra Prana Dasha Smrutaha — the ten essentials of the dancer: Javaha (agility), Sthirathvam (steadiness), Rekha (graceful lines), Bhramari (balance in pirouettes), Drishti (glance), Shramaha (hard work), Medha (intelligence), Shraddha (devotion), Vacho (good speech), and Geetam (singing ability).
The text consists of:
Natya Prashansha (dance admiration),
Abhinaya bheda ( classification of abhinaya) ,
the symptoms of Nritta, Nritya and Natya,
the symptoms of Drishti and Greeva Bhedas ( Eye and Neck movements in dance)