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)
​