Chakshubhyam darshayeth Bahvam Paadabhyam taalam
aachareth.
meaning: The above sloka describes dance. As we sing the lyrics, the hands show the meaning(Artham). The eyes bring out the feelings(Feelings) in the lyrics, the feet keep the rythmn( taala).
In this chapter, we will deal with paada bhedas.
Which ever dance form it maybe, according to Natya Shastra we use our feet in 6 different ways only.
Udghattitha: samanchaiva thathaa agratala samchara:
anchita: kunchithaschaiva Soochi paadaprakeerthitha:
meaning:There are six types of paada bhedas, namely,Udghattitha, Sama, agratala sanchara,anchitha, kunchita and soochi paadas.
Udghattitha: Sthitaa paada talagrena paashneerbhoomau nipaadyathe
yasya paadasya karane bhaveth udghattisthusa:.
meaning:When the foot is raised straight on the heels and then the heel is pressed to flatten on the floor, it is called udghattitha paada.
Sama: Swabhaavarachithe bhoomou samasthane chayobhaveth
sama:paada:savighneyaa: swbhavabhinayaasraya:
meaning: When the feet are placed flat on the floor, just as when we start, and a foot is hit flat on the floor, it is called sama paada.
agrathalasamchara: Ukshipthaathu bhaveth paashneer
anchithongushtthakasthathaa
angulyascha chithasarvaah paadograthalasamchara:.
meaning:When the dancer stands on the toes, in aramandi(bent at the knees and feet facing opposite sides)and we move forward on the toes, it is called agrathala samchara.
Anchitham:Paashneer yasya chitha bhoomou
udvagrathalam thathaa
angulyascham chitha sarvaah
sampaadasthwam chithahsmrithaah.
meaning:When the dancer moves on the heels, usually backwards, it is called anchitham. In this paada bheda, the dancer may also hit the floor on the heel, the toes upward.
kunchitham: Ukshipthaa yasya paashneerhi
syaadamgulya: kunchithasthatha Thatha kunchitha madyascha sapaada: kunchithasmritha:
meaning: When the foot is hit on the floor, using the base of the toes, with the heel stretched upwards, it is called kunchitham.
Soochi: Ukshipthaathubhavethpaashneer angushtthaagrena samsthitha:
Vaamaschaiva swabhavastha: soochi paada prakeerthitha:
meaning:When a dancer points the big toe to do a movement, sometimes sliding through on the big toe still pointing, it is called soochi.