Kriti Class 8 Chapter 12, Dance for Well-being, explores how dance communicates without words and nurtures emotional well-being through asamyuta and samyuta hastas (hand gestures) and the ashṭarasas (eight emotions).
What Kriti Class 8 Chapter 12 Covers
Speaking with hands: single-hand gestures are asaṁyuta hastas and two-hand gestures saṁyuta hastas. Activity 12.1 recites the hasta śhloka (‘Añjaliśhcha kapotaśhcha karkaṭaḥ svastikastathā…’) while making each gesture.
The language of silence: groups act out situations without words, such as a busy road with police and pedestrians or a family preparing for a festival, telling the story through gestures alone.
Bhāva and breath: bhāva is the first instant feeling and rasa the experience it leaves (Grade 7). Fear shows in rapid shallow breathing, sweating, trembling and loss of colour, so breath is what makes an emotion visible. Kolattam from Tamil Nadu and Dandiya from Gujarat express joy.
Dancing the emotions: Activity 12.4 choreographs utsāha (enthusiasm) to a patriotic song, and Activity 12.5 moves through eight emotions before settling into nirveda bhāva, which leads to śhānta rasa (peace), sitting in chin mudrā. The chapter ends with groups choreographing a song from music class.
Exercises in Chapter 12
- Circle Time discussion prompts and Assessment rubrics at the end of the chapter.
Read Kriti Class 8 Chapter 12 Online
More Chapters
- Previous: Chapter 11: Pan Indian Dance Forms
- Next: Chapter 13: Innovation, Inclusivity and Inspiring Change
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FAQ
What is the difference between asaṁyuta and saṁyuta hastas?
Asaṁyuta hastas use one hand; saṁyuta hastas use both hands.
Which bhāva leads to śhānta rasa?
Nirveda bhāva, a feeling of calm detachment, leads to śhānta rasa, the experience of peace.