In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (natya)

Tolirkai or Tolirkkai means to “show in action through abhinaya” and is part of the double hand tradition (pinnayal or reṭṭaikkai-marapu), which itself forms a division of Abhinaya or Avinaya (artistic expressions) as defined in the second book of the Pañcamarapu (‘five-fold traditional usage’) which represents an important piece of Tamil literature.—The Pañcamarapu (“five-fold traditional usage”) refers to a book on five established literary usages (five-fold traditional usages) defines terms such as Tolirkkai. It was composed by Cerai Aṟivanār in the 9th century AD during the time of Pandyan Tirumaran of the last Caṅkam Period.

S. V. Subramaniyan (translator of the Cilappatikāram) says that the dance master had an understanding of the sixteen kūttus from alliyam to koṭukkōṭṭi and their various inner divisions. He was talented in combining within them dance, song and rhythm. He knew the quality of pindi (single hand), pinnayal (double hand), elirkkai (to show hand gesture beautifully, dancing to rhythm) and tolirkkai (to show in action through abhinaya).

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (śilpa)

Tolirkai (तोलिर्कै) refers to “functional and expressive gestures” and represents a group of “gestures” (Mudrā or Hasta), as defined according to texts dealing with śilpa (arts and crafs), known as śilpaśāstras.—On the whole, there are thirty-two mudrās/hastas (hand gestures) and they are divided into two major groups–tolirkai and elirkai. Tolirkai comprises functional and expressive gestures, which communicate a specific meaning. Elirkai, also called nāṭyakaram, is a graceful posture of the hand, with no specific meaning but which adds balance and elegance to the total form.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Languages of India and abroad

Tamil dictionary

Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil Lexicon

Toḻirkai (தொழிர்கை) [toḻiṟkai] [toḻir-kai] noun < idem. +. (Nāṭya.) Hand-pose; அபிநயங் காட்டுங் கை. [apinayang kattung kai.] (சிலப்பதிகாரம் அரும்பதவுரை [silappathigaram arumbathavurai] 3, 18, உரை. [urai.])

context information

Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Kai.

Full-text (+49): Elirkai, Elirkkai, Pindi, Pinnayal, Dharmacakra, Anjali, Kataka, Nidra, Alapadma, Pallava, Ardha-pataka, Mushti, Vyakhyana, Dola, Gaja, Dhyana, Alingana, Prasarita, Varada, Shuci.

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