abhinaya
noun
abhi·na·ya
əˈbinəyə
plural -s
: the expressive use of face or hands characteristic of the kathakali dance style of India
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Sanskrit abhinayaḥ "acting, dramatic action," noun derivative of abhinayati "he leads toward, brings near, represents dramatically," from abhi "to, toward" + nayati "he leads"
First Known Use
1880, in the meaning defined above