Sattvika Abhinaya
सात्त्विक अभिनयSanskritSay it: saatt · vi · ka a · bhi · na · ya
- bh, dh, gh… — the consonant with a breath of air after it
- aa ee oo ē ō — long vowels: hold them twice as long
Expression from within — the performer's own felt emotion
TechniqueBharatanatyamKuchipudiOdissiMohiniyattam
Meaning
Sattvika abhinaya is the expression of inner states, drawn from the performer's genuine feeling rather than from outward technique alone. It is considered the subtlest of the four abhinayas, and it is what lets the audience feel along with the dancer.
Also written: satvika abhinaya, saathvika abhinaya, sattvikam, satvik abhinaya