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<p>The Mirror of Gesture is an English translation of the Sanskrit text on dance Abhinaya Darpana by Nandikeshvara an exponent of theatre in ancient India. It is an abridged version of Bharatarnava which is an exposition of classical Indian dance. This treatise is based upon the principles of Indian theatre: natya nritta and nritya sastras. Abhinaya Darpana contains 4000 slokas and an exposition of classical Indian dance theatre and music. The date of this treatise goes back to the fifth and fourth centuries bc. It was Nandikeshwara who had much influence on popular dance exponents such as Bharatamuni the author of Natyasastra (second century bc) and Matangamuni the author of Brihadeshi (fifth century bc). In this English translation forms of posture used in Indian dance and theatre such as head movements mudras made by hands along with its interpretation invocation to nine planets in the universe veneration of ten Vishnu’s incarnations four castes upper and lower worlds and living and nonliving beings on Earth are discussed. This book will benefit scholars and researchers interested in Indian theatre art and dance. About the Author Ananda K. Coomaraswamy (22 August 1877–9 September 1947) is a Ceylonbased metaphysician historian theorist and philosopher of Indian art. He brought the Indian tradition of art into the western world. He was also seen as the bridgemaker between western and Indian art and philosophy as he was much inspired by Hindu and GrecoRoman traditions. His works were influenced by the Traditionalist and Perennial Schools of Philosophy. He authored several books which were based on the traditional arts metaphysics and social criticism. He was also the curator of Indian art at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Gopala Kristnayya (Krishnayya) Duggirala (2 June 1889–10 June 1928) was a freedom fighter and a member of the Indian National Congress and later Swarajya Party from Andhra Pradesh. He was a poet speaker songwriter philosopher and singer. He was influenced by Annie Besant’s Home Rule Movement and led an antitax agitation at Chirala and formed Rama Dandu for the cause of Swaraj. He was a polyglot and also set up a literary society Andhra Vidya Peetha Gosthi.</p>
