Fine Arts · Class 1 · Moving Our Bodies to Music · Term 2

Showing Feelings with Our Face and Body

Students will explore Abhinaya (expression) in Indian dance, focusing on using facial expressions (Mukhabhinaya) and hand gestures (Hastabhinaya) to convey a range of emotions and narratives.

• CBSE Learning Outcomes
• NCERT: Dance - Expressive Movement - Class 7

About This Topic

In this topic, your Class 7 students will explore Abhinaya, the expressive aspect of Indian classical dance. They learn Mukhabhinaya, which uses precise facial movements to show emotions like joy, sorrow, anger, or surprise. Hastabhinaya involves hand gestures, or mudras, to narrate stories and feelings. These techniques draw from traditions such as Bharatanatyam and Kathak, helping students connect body language with cultural narratives.

Teaching this builds emotional intelligence and non-verbal communication skills. Students practise showing feelings through face and body, answering key questions like 'Can you show a happy face , what does it look like?' or 'How does your body look when surprised?' This makes abstract emotions concrete and memorable.

Active learning benefits this topic as students physically enact expressions, receive instant peer feedback, and refine through repetition. This kinesthetic approach strengthens retention and confidence in performance.

Key Questions

1. Can you show a happy face , what does it look like?
2. How does your body look when you are very surprised?
3. Which feeling is easiest for you to show with your face , why?

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate specific facial expressions (Mukhabhinaya) to represent emotions such as joy, sadness, anger, and surprise.
• Perform selected hand gestures (Hastabhinaya) to convey simple narratives or actions.
• Identify the connection between a specific emotion and its corresponding facial expression and body posture.
• Compare and contrast the facial expressions used to show happiness versus surprise.
• Create a short sequence using facial expressions and hand gestures to depict a familiar story or feeling.

Before You Start

Introduction to Body Awareness

Why: Students need a basic understanding of how to move and control different parts of their body before focusing on specific expressive movements.

Identifying Basic Emotions

Why: Students should be able to recognise and name fundamental emotions in themselves and others to effectively portray them.

Key Vocabulary

Abhinaya	The art of expression in Indian classical dance, used to convey emotions and stories to the audience.
Mukhabhinaya	Facial expressions used in dance to show different emotions and characters. It involves movements of the eyebrows, eyes, cheeks, and mouth.
Hastabhinaya	Hand gestures, also known as mudras, used in Indian dance to represent objects, actions, or emotions.
Rasa	The aesthetic flavour or emotional essence evoked in the audience by a performance. Common rasas include joy, sorrow, anger, and wonder.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Facial expressions for emotions are exactly the same everywhere and need no practice.

What to Teach Instead

In Indian dance, Mukhabhinaya uses specific, codified expressions from natya shastra traditions. Practice refines these cultural nuances.

Common Misconception

Only the face matters for showing feelings in dance.

What to Teach Instead

Hastabhinaya with hands and full body movements are essential to convey complete narratives and emotions effectively.

Common Misconception

Younger students cannot grasp Abhinaya concepts.

What to Teach Instead

Class 7 students can learn basics through guided play, building gradually to complex expressions with repetition.

Active Learning Ideas

Mirroring Faces

Students work in pairs. One makes a facial expression for an emotion, the other mirrors it exactly. Switch roles after one minute to build accuracy in Mukhabhinaya.

15 min·Pairs

Gesture Stories

In small groups, students use Hastabhinaya mudras to act out a simple story, like a bird flying happily. Others guess the emotion and narrative. Discuss group choices after.

20 min·Small Groups

Emotion Charades

The whole class plays charades. One student shows an emotion using face and body, others guess. Use Indian dance-inspired poses for authenticity.

25 min·Whole Class

Personal Emotion Diary

Individually, students draw or note an emotion they feel daily, then practise showing it with face and hands. Share one with the class for feedback.

10 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• Actors in Bollywood films use exaggerated facial expressions and body language to convey emotions clearly to a wide audience, much like dancers use Abhinaya.
• Mime artists use only their faces and bodies to tell stories and evoke feelings without words, demonstrating the power of non-verbal communication.
• Cartoon animators carefully design character expressions and movements to communicate personality and emotions, making characters relatable to children.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Ask students to stand and show a 'happy' face, then a 'sad' face, then a 'surprised' face. Observe if their facial muscles are used appropriately for each emotion. Ask: 'What part of your face showed happiness the most?'

Exit Ticket

Give each student a card with an emotion (e.g., anger, fear, excitement). Ask them to draw a simple face showing that emotion and write one sentence about how their body might also show it. Collect and review for understanding of expression.

Peer Assessment

In pairs, students take turns performing a simple gesture (e.g., waving hello, pointing) using Hastabhinaya. Their partner identifies the action and provides one specific compliment on the clarity of the gesture. Teacher observes for correct identification and positive feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I introduce Abhinaya to beginners?

Start with familiar emotions like happiness or surprise. Show simple videos of Bharatanatyam Mukhabhinaya, then demonstrate yourself. Let students copy in front of mirrors. Use key questions from the unit to guide discussions. This builds confidence step by step, linking to everyday feelings before dance specifics. Keep sessions short and fun to maintain interest.

What if some students feel shy during expression activities?

Create a safe space by starting with individual mirror practice, then pairs of trusted friends. Praise efforts, not perfection. Use humour with exaggerated expressions to ease tension. Gradually move to groups. This respects personalities while encouraging participation, ensuring all experience growth in emotional expression.

How does active learning benefit teaching facial and body expressions?

Active learning lets students move, mimic, and mirror emotions kinesthetically, which aids memory better than watching alone. They give and receive peer feedback instantly, refining skills. This hands-on method connects abstract Abhinaya to personal feelings, boosts confidence, and makes cultural learning joyful. In CBSE dance, it aligns with expressive movement standards for deeper understanding.

How can I assess student progress in this topic?

Observe during activities: note accuracy in Mukhabhinaya and Hastabhinaya, use of body language, and peer interactions. Have students self-assess via journals on easiest emotions to show. Include a short performance sharing one feeling with explanation. Rubrics focusing on effort, precision, and creativity provide fair, holistic evaluation.