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