Asamyuta Hasta Mudras | Single Hand Gestures in Bharatanatyam (Asamyuktha Hastas)

These gestures are done using a single hand, hence they are known as Asamyuta (read: uh-sum-you-tha) Hastas. I had earlier written a short post on hand gestures used in Bharatanatyam dance. Today, we will simply take the single hand gestures and see them more elaborately -

You can either call these as Asamyuta or Asamyukta Hastas. The Natyashastra mentions about 28 Mudras or Gestures. There are 4 new gestures added to this list - Kataka, Vyagraha, Ardhasuchi and Palli

Each of these gestures can be used for a variety of purposes in the dance. The uses of each Hasta are mentioned in a "Shlok" or "Hymn" and we call in "Viniyoga".

Sr.	Name – English	Name – in Hindi	Pronounciation	Meaning
1	Pataaka		Puh-thaa-kuh	Flag
2	Tripataaka		Three-puh-thaa-kuh	3 Parts of the Flag
3	Ardhapataaka		Uhr-dhuh-puh-thaa-kuh	Half Flag
4	Kartarimukha		Kuh-r-tha-ree-moo-kha	Scissors
5	Mayura		Muh-yoo-ra	Peacock
6	Ardhachandra		Uhr-dhuh Chandra	Half Moon
7	Araala		Uh-raala	Peak of mountain * (to verify)
8	Shukatunda		Shook-kha toonda	Parrot’s Head
9	Mushthi		Moosh-tee	Fist
10	Shikhara		She-kha-raa	Mountain Peak
11	Kapitta		Kuh-pee-tta	Goodness of wealth * (to verify)
12	Katakaamukha		Kuh-tuh-kaa moo-kha	Crab
13	Suchi		Soochee	Needle
14	Chandrakalaa		Chandra kalaa	Waxing Moon
15	Padmakosha		Puh-dh-muh koh-sha	Lotus Bud
16	Sarpashirsha		Suhr-puh-sheer-sha	Snake’s Hood
17	Mrigashirsha		Mri-guh sheersha	Deer’s Head
18	Simhamukha		Sim-huh mukha	Lion’s Face
19	Kaangula		Kaangoola	Water Lily
20	Alapadma		Uh-luh-padma	Flowering Lotus
21	Chatura		Ch-uh-tu-ra	Clever
22	Bhramara		Bhrah-muh-ra	Bee
23	Hamsaasya		Hum-saasya	Head of Swan
24	Hansapakshika		Hansa – puh-kshi-kaa	Wing of Swan
25	Sandamsha		Sun-dum-shuh	Tongs
26	Mukula		Moo-koo-luh	Flower Bud
27	Tamrachuda		Thaam-ruh choo-duh	Cock
28	Trishula		Three-shoola	Trident
29	Ardhasuchi		Uhr-dhuh Soochi	Half Needle
30	Vyaagraha		Vyaa - graha	Tiger
31	Palli		Palli	Knot
32	Katakaa		Kuh-tuh-kaa	Retsing place

 



In the coming posts, we will be seeing each gesture more elaborately.

That thai tha ha step 2 | Bharatanatyam Adavu | Natyakriya Episode 19

You may want to check out the 1st step of That thai tha ha adavu HERE.

These are intermediate level steps that require concentration and consistency in practice. Here's the 2nd step -

That thai tha ha Adavu - step 2
That thai tha ha Dhit thai tha ha (x8)
(repeated on each side)

Points to remember

• Sit in Aramandi throughout the step
• Tripataka hand gesture used for the entire step
• Follow your hand with your eyes.

That thai Tha Ha Adavu Step 1 | Natyakriya Episode 18

With "That thai tha ha", we move to the (unofficial) intermediate level in Bharatanatyam. If you have been sticking with me for the past few months and learning side-by-side, congratulations! :-)

I do suggest you go through all the previous steps once again, practice and be sure of them.

Here is the 1st step of That thai tha ha adavu -

{Due to reasons specified in this post, I won't be able to give you the Written Instructions right away. I will however try to update them here within a week or so}

Tha Thai Thai Tha Step 5 | Bharatanatyam Visharu Adavu | Natyakriya Episode 17

Visharu Adavu, or more popularly known as the "Tha Thai Thai Tha" Adavu is the 3rd set of steps in Bharatanatyam. There are 5 different variations in this adavu. These are frequently used in a lot of Nritta choreography.

The sollukattu (सोल्लुकट्टु) or Rhythmic syllables of Visharu Adavu is - Thaa Thai Thai Tha

Here is the video tutorial of the 5thstep of Thaa thai thai tha -