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In Bharatanatyam, the Classical Dance of India performed by Lord Nataraja, approximately fifty-five root mudras (hand/finger gestures) are used to clearly communicate specific ideas, events, actions, or creatures in which thirty-two require only one hand, and are classified as `Asamyukta Hasta', along with twenty-three other primary mudras which require both hands and are classified. A mudra is a hand position that balances energy in the mind and body. The Sanskrit word “mudra” is translated as a mark, seal, or gesture. Mudras were created by ancient yogis to restore physical health, calm the mind, and optimize energy. Bharatanatyam is just not an art Folk Dance Dance Music Dancing Drawings Indian Classical Dance Mudras Swing Dancing Tribal Belly Dance Ballroom Dance Dresses Dance Quotes Bharatanatyam is just not an art You can appreciate how alta makes your mudras look damn beautiful. Know The Single-Hand Bharatanatyam Mudras And Their Significance Bharatanatyam is one of the most exotic, graceful and beautiful dance forms of India. It brings out the graciousness that anyone has in them. Be it female or male, Bharatanatyam is performed with utter cordiality achieved by the help of Mudras or Asamyukta Hastas. A Bharatanatyam mudra (or bharatanatyam hasta, as it is also called) is a typical bharatanatyam hand-gesture used in the dance-form to depict certain parts or the narrative. A List of Samyuta Hastas or Two-Hand Gestures: Form and Significance Here are a few Samyuta Mudras or two hand gestures to get you started.
Samyuta Hastas (two-hand gestures)
This page describes the different hand gestures used in Bharathanatyam. Hastas / Mudras (hand gestures) are primarily classified as 28Asamyuta Hastas (one-hand gesture) and 24Samyuta Hastas (two-hand gestures).
Each of the hastas can be used to denote various thoughts, ideas and objects. There are various slokas (verses) from the ancient texts that enumerate the usage of the hastas. These are called Viniyoga Slokas. Apart from the suggested viniyogas, the dancer may innovate, if found necessary, to convey the appropriate message to the audience.
[1]Anjali [Salutation]
Viniyoga Sloka
Devataguru Vipranaam
Namaskaraepyanukramaat
Karyas shiromukhorastho
Viniyoganjali karaha
Devataguru Vipranaam
Namaskaraepyanukramaat
Karyas shiromukhorastho
Viniyoganjali karaha
Sloka Translation:
Used for the salutation to God, Teacher and the Learned. We hold the Anjali hasta above the head for the Gods, in front of the face for the teachers and in front of chest for the learned.
Used for the salutation to God, Teacher and the Learned. We hold the Anjali hasta above the head for the Gods, in front of the face for the teachers and in front of chest for the learned.
[2]Kapotha [Pigeon]
Viniyoga Sloka
Pranaamae Gurusambhashae
Vinayangi kritaeshwayam
Sloka Translation:
To show respectful salutation to the teachers, as a mark of acceptance and to show politeness (vinayam).
To show respectful salutation to the teachers, as a mark of acceptance and to show politeness (vinayam).
[3]Karkata [Crab]
Viniyoga Sloka
Samoohaa gamanae Tundadarshanae
Shankhapoorane Angaanaam Motane
Shaakhonnamaanecha Niyujyate
Samoohaa gamanae Tundadarshanae
Shankhapoorane Angaanaam Motane
Shaakhonnamaanecha Niyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show the arrival of a crowd, showing the belly, blowing the shanku (counch), twisting & stretching the limbs and bending branch of a tree.
To show the arrival of a crowd, showing the belly, blowing the shanku (counch), twisting & stretching the limbs and bending branch of a tree.
[4]Swastika [Cross]
Viniyoga Sloka
Samyogena Swastikakhyo Makarae viniyujyate
Bhayavade Vivadecha Keertane Swastikobhavet
Samyogena Swastikakhyo Makarae viniyujyate
Bhayavade Vivadecha Keertane Swastikobhavet
Sloka Translation:
To show an Alligator (a crocodile), talking with fear, to show an argument and to praise.
To show an Alligator (a crocodile), talking with fear, to show an argument and to praise.
[5]Dola [Swing]
Viniyoga Sloka
Naatyarambhe Prayoktavyam Iti Natyavidovidhuhu
Naatyarambhe Prayoktavyam Iti Natyavidovidhuhu
Sloka Translation:
Used in the beginning of a dance.
Used in the beginning of a dance.
[6]Pushpaputa [Holding Flowers]
Viniyoga Sloka
Neeraajenavidhou baala
Vaari Phaladikrehanaepicha
Sandhyayaam marghyadaanecha
Mantrapushpecha yujyathae
Neeraajenavidhou baala
Vaari Phaladikrehanaepicha
Sandhyayaam marghyadaanecha
Mantrapushpecha yujyathae
Sloka Translation:
To show Lamp Offering, Children, Accept Fruits, Offering to the Sun in the evenings and Chant Holy prayers.
To show Lamp Offering, Children, Accept Fruits, Offering to the Sun in the evenings and Chant Holy prayers.
[7]Utsanga [Holding Flowers]
Viniyoga Sloka
Aalinganaecha lajjayaam
Angadaadipradarshanae
Baalanaamshikshanechayaam
Utsango yujyatae karaha
Aalinganaecha lajjayaam
Angadaadipradarshanae
Baalanaamshikshanechayaam
Utsango yujyatae karaha
Sloka Translation:
To show embracing someone, shyness, show one’s body and to show teaching discipline to children.
To show embracing someone, shyness, show one’s body and to show teaching discipline to children.
[8]Shivalinga [Shivalingam]
Viniyoga Sloka
Viniyogastu tatsyva Shivalingasya darshanae
Viniyogastu tatsyva Shivalingasya darshanae
Sloka Translation:
To show Shivalinga (Lord Shiva).
To show Shivalinga (Lord Shiva).
[9]Katakavardhana [Pair of bracelets]
Viniyoga Sloka
Pattabhishaekae Poojayam Vivahadishu Yujyate
Pattabhishaekae Poojayam Vivahadishu Yujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Coronation, to worship and to show weddings.
To show Coronation, to worship and to show weddings.
[10]Kartaree swastika [Crossing two scissors]
Viniyoga Sloka
Shakhaasucha Adri Shikhare
Vruksheshucha Niyujyate
Vruksheshucha Niyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show the branches of a tree, tip of Mountains and Trees.
To show the branches of a tree, tip of Mountains and Trees.
[11]Shakatam [Chariot Wheel]
Viniyoga Sloka
Raakshasaabhinayechaayam
Niyukto Bharatadibhihi
Raakshasaabhinayechaayam
Niyukto Bharatadibhihi
Sloka Translation:
To show Demons.
To show Demons.
[12]Shankha [Conch]
Viniyoga Sloka
Shankhaadishuniyujyoya
Mityevam Bharataadayaha
Shankhaadishuniyujyoya
Mityevam Bharataadayaha
Sloka Translation:
To show shanku (Conch).
To show shanku (Conch).
[13]Chakra [Discus (wheel)]
Viniyoga Sloka
Chakrahastassa vigneyachakrarthe viniyujyate
Chakrahastassa vigneyachakrarthe viniyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Chakra, the weapon of Lord Vishnu.
To show Chakra, the weapon of Lord Vishnu.
[14]Samputa [Containers]
Viniyoga Sloka
Vastvaacchchade Samputecha
Samputahkara Eeritaha
Vastvaacchchade Samputecha
Samputahkara Eeritaha
Sloka Translation:
To cover things and to show the sacred box in which the idols are placed.
To cover things and to show the sacred box in which the idols are placed.
[15]Paasha [Rope / bond]
Viniyoga Sloka
Anyonyakalahe Paashe
Shynkhalaayaam Niyujyate
Anyonyakalahe Paashe
Shynkhalaayaam Niyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Playful, Quarrel, Rope and Chains.
To show Playful, Quarrel, Rope and Chains.
[16]Keelaka [Axle]
Viniyoga Sloka
Snehecha Narmalaapecha
Viniyogosya Sammataha
Snehecha Narmalaapecha
Viniyogosya Sammataha
Sloka Translation:
To show friendly talk.
To show friendly talk.
[17]Matsya [Fish]
Viniyoga Sloka
Etasya Viniyogastu
Matsyarthe Sammatobhavet
Etasya Viniyogastu
Matsyarthe Sammatobhavet
Sloka Translation:
To show Fish.
To show Fish.
[18]Koorma [Tortoise]
Viniyoga Sloka
Koormahastasyavigneyaha
Koormarthe Viniyujyate
Koormahastasyavigneyaha
Koormarthe Viniyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Turtle, Tortoise
To show Turtle, Tortoise
[19]Varaha [Wild Boar]
Viniyoga Sloka
Etasyaviniyogastu Varaharthe tu Yujyate
Etasyaviniyogastu Varaharthe tu Yujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Boar (Wild Pig)
To show Boar (Wild Pig)
[20]Garuda [Eagle]
Bharatanatyam Mudras Chart
Viniyoga Sloka
Garudo Garudarthe cha Yujyate Baratagame
Garudo Garudarthe cha Yujyate Baratagame
Sloka Translation:
To show a bird called Garuda.
To show a bird called Garuda.
[21]Nagabanda [Coiled Serpent]
Viniyoga Sloka
Bhujagadampatee Bhaave
Nikunchanaamcha darshane
Athrvanasya mantreshu
Yojyo Bharatakovidhihi
Bhujagadampatee Bhaave
Nikunchanaamcha darshane
Athrvanasya mantreshu
Yojyo Bharatakovidhihi
Sloka Translation:
To show Snakes, Creeper, Chamber and Atharva Veda Slokas.
To show Snakes, Creeper, Chamber and Atharva Veda Slokas.
[22]Khatva [Cot]
Viniyoga Sloka
Khatvahastobhavedeshaha
Khatvaadishu Niyujyate
Khatvahastobhavedeshaha
Khatvaadishu Niyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Bed.
To show Bed.
[23]Bherundha [Heavenly Bird]
Bharatanatyam Mudras
Viniyoga Sloka
Bherundhapakshi Dampatyorbherundhaka Eteeritaha
Bherundhapakshi Dampatyorbherundhaka Eteeritaha
Sloka Translation:
To show a bird couple.
To show a bird couple.
[24]Avahittha [To hide (secret in heart)]
Viniyoga Sloka
Srungara Natanechiva Leelaa
Kanduka dharane Kucharthe
Yujyate Soyamavahitthakaraabhidhaha
Srungara Natanechiva Leelaa
Kanduka dharane Kucharthe
Yujyate Soyamavahitthakaraabhidhaha
Sloka Translation:
To show Love, Catching the ball and Breasts.
To show Love, Catching the ball and Breasts.
Images credit: Dmitry Rukhlenko
No tags for this post. Today we will be learning the Samyutha Hasta verses from Mr. Santosh Kumar.
Here is the verse…
Anjalishcha kapothashcha karkata svasthikasthathaa
dolahasthah pushpaputaha uthsangah shivalingakaha
katakaavardhanashchaiva karthareesvasthikasthathaa
shakatam Shanka Chakrecha samputah paasha keelakau(keelako)
mathsyah koormo varaahashcha garudo naagabandhakaha
khatvaa berundakaakeshcha avahithasthathatheivacha
Note:
There can be slightly different readings of the above verse. For eg.
The last line may be taught as “khatvaa berundakaakeshcha ithyethe avahitha samyutha kara” depending on the reading used.
There can be slightly different readings of the above verse. For eg.
The last line may be taught as “khatvaa berundakaakeshcha ithyethe avahitha samyutha kara” depending on the reading used.
In the next session, we will have checkpoint test no.2. So please work on what has been taught so far..
Bharatanatyam Mudras Chart Pdf
Best wishes…
Bharatanatyam Mudras Meaning
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