Karana
/kəˈrɑː.nə/noun
A formal movement or posture in Indian classical dance, especially Bharatanatyam, traditionally described as a basic unit of performance.
Did you know?The Natya Shastra describes 108 karanas, and temple sculptures of Shiva as Nataraja are often interpreted as visual depictions of these codified movements.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kʷer-
“To do or make; a reconstructed root associated with Sanskrit kṛ.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
kṛ
“To do, make, perform, or accomplish.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
karaṇa
“An act, performance, instrument, means, or cause.”
Ancient India
Sanskrit
karaṇa
“A codified unit of movement or dance described in the Natya Shastra.”
Modern English
English
karana
“A formal movement or posture in Indian classical dance, especially Bharatanatyam.”