Wednesday, December 10, 2014

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.

1 comment:

  1. Nice photos! I liked the article regarding Bharatanatyam and it is quite informative. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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