NCERT Class 9 Arts Madhurima: Chapter 11 — Dance as Visual Storytelling
This chapter, "Dance as Visual Storytelling," explores how Indian dance forms, often termed 'dṛiśhya-kāvya' or visual poetry, use movement, gesture, and facial expressions to narrate stories. It highlights how dancers bring to life diverse narratives, from classical epics like the Mahābhārata and Kālidāsa's works to modern adaptations of Shakespeare, seasonal cycles, agricultural processes, and everyday life. The chapter revisits the four types of abhinayas, focusing on Āṅgika, Vāchika, and Āhārya Abhinayas, emphasizing their role in conveying emotion and intent. Āṅgika Abhinaya, specifically, is detailed as the use of the body, including stylized movements like sthāna, chārī, gati, utplavana, bhramarī, and hastas, to articulate meaning. An activity encourages students to explore poses and create movement sequences inspired by sculptures like the Dancing Śhiva. This chapter helps students understand the expressive power of dance in communicating narratives and cultural heritage within the CBSE curriculum.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 9 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Madhurima |
| Chapter | Chapter 11 — Dance as Visual Storytelling |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 328 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand dance as a form of visual storytelling (dṛiśhya-kāvya).
- Identify how movement, gesture, and expression communicate narratives in Indian dance.
- Recognize the role of Āṅgika, Vāchika, and Āhārya Abhinayas in dance.
- Explore the use of body movements and gestures (sthāna, chārī, etc.) in dance.
- Appreciate the connection between dance, sculpture, and storytelling through activities.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| dṛiśhya-kāvya | Visual poetry |
| abhinayas | Expressive techniques in Indian classical dance |
| Āṅgika Abhinaya | Expression through body movements and gestures |
| Vāchika Abhinaya | Expression through speech or song |
| Āhārya Abhinaya | Expression through costume and ornaments |
| sthāna | Dance posture or stance |
| chārī | Specific types of bodily movements |
| gati | Gait or way of walking/moving |
| utplavana | Leaping or jumping movements |
| bhramarī | Whirling or spinning movements |
| hastas | Hand gestures |
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Practice questions
- What does 'dṛiśhya-kāvya' refer to in the context of Indian dance? Answer: It refers to dance as visual poetry, where meaning is communicated through movement, gesture, and expression.
- Name the three types of abhinayas discussed in the chapter. Answer: The three types discussed are Āṅgika, Vāchika, and Āhārya Abhinayas.
- What is Āṅgika Abhinaya? Answer: Āṅgika Abhinaya is the use of the body as a tool for communication and articulation in dance, involving stylized movements and gestures.
- Give examples of stylized movements mentioned in Āṅgika Abhinaya. Answer: Examples include sthāna, chārī, gati, utplavana, bhramarī, and hastas.
- What can be communicated through dance as visual storytelling? Answer: Dance can communicate narratives from classical literature, modern adaptations, seasonal cycles, everyday life, and people's experiences.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of 'dṛiśhya-kāvya' in Indian dance?
'Dṛiśhya-kāvya' translates to visual poetry, describing how Indian dance uses visual elements like movement and expression to tell stories.
What are the main components used in dance for storytelling?
Dance uses movement, gesture, and facial expression to communicate meaning and tell stories.
Which types of abhinayas are explored in this chapter?
The chapter focuses on Āṅgika, Vāchika, and Āhārya Abhinayas.
What does Āṅgika Abhinaya involve?
It involves using the body, including specific movements and hand gestures, as a tool for expression and communication in dance.
Can dance tell stories from different sources?
Yes, dance can narrate stories from classical literature, modern plays, seasonal cycles, everyday life, and personal experiences.
What is the significance of the Dancing Shiva sculpture mentioned?
The sculpture illustrates how a single figure can represent numerous dance poses through its multiple hands, highlighting the complexity of dance movements.
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 9 Arts — Madhurima — Chapter 11 — Dance as Visual Storytelling. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.