In the context of the cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called Tribhanga has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose?
UPSC CSE Pre. 2013
A. One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck.
B. Facial expressions, hand gestures and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historical characters.
C. Movements of body, face and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story.
D. A little smile, slighily curved waist and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism.
Answer: One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck.
Option a is the correct answer.
Tribhanga or Tribunga is a standing body position or stance used in traditional Indian art and Indian classical dance forms like the Odissi, where the body bends in one direction at the knees, the other direction at the hips and then the other again at the shoulders and neck. The word derives from Sanskrit, where bhanga (or bhangha) is the word for an attitude or position, with tri meaning "triple", making "triple-bend position. The pose goes back at least 2,000 years in Indian art, and has been highly characteristic for much of this period, "found repeated over and over again in countless examples of Indian sculpture and painting". It suggests movement in figures and gives "rhythmic fluidity and ... youthful energy". The pose is often associated with the feminine principle of Lasya, which expresses grace, beauty, and charm