Karanas

Karanas are the fundamental movement units of Indian classical dance and theatre. The term derives from Sanskrit karana, meaning instrument or cause, and in aesthetics it refers to discrete units of bodily movement. In the traditional treatises on performance, most notably the Natya Shastra, karanas are described as the building blocks of dance movement. A canonical list, widely cited in classical schools, comprises 108 karanas, though some lineages acknowledge variations in the count or terminology.

Practically, a karana combines a specific body posture with coordinated hand gestures (mudras), footwork, gaze, and facial expression. It is typically executed within a single beat or a short rhythmic span and can be linked with other karanas to form sequences that convey narrative, emotion, or mood (rasa). In performance contexts such as Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, and other classical forms, karanas function as the shared vocabulary of motion used to express stories, devotion, and lyrical sentiment.

Karanas also appear in temple sculpture and iconography, reflecting their cultural role in ritual and the performance arts. While the traditional count of 108 karanas is central in many schools, modern scholarship and practice continue to study their origins, variations, and interpretations across different regional styles. The concept remains a foundational element in understanding the choreography and aesthetics of Indian dance.