One of the most striking features of Indian classical dance and dances of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Malay world is the use of hand or finger gestures called mudras. Two classifications of mudras are used in Indian classical dance, Thai dances, Cambodian dances, Lao dances, Burmese dances and Malay dances, and are a prominent part of the dancer's vocabulary.
Background Nandikeshvara's (a descriptive primer for dancers) mentions that the dancer should sing the song by the throat, express the meaning of the song through hand gestures, show the state of feelings in the song by eyes, and express the rhythm with his or her feet.
From the , a text on the arts, this quotation and translation is often quoted by Indian classical dance instructors:
"Yato hastastato drishtihi"..."Where the hand is, the eyes follow"
"Yato drishtistato manaha"..."Where the eyes go, the mind follows"
"Yato manastato bhavaha"..."Where the mind is, there is the feeling"
"Yato bhavastato rasaha"..."Where there is feeling, there is mood/flavour, sweetness (i.e., appreciation of art; aesthetic bliss)"
So vast are the subtleties expressed in the hand gestures of hasta that the vastness of what being human entails, and perhaps even what the entire universe contains, might be expressed by the dancer.
Hence as 'hasta' form a distinct coded language which brings a unique poetic element while performing, so too when abhinaya (traditional facial expressions), pose (attitude), and rhythm complete the language, the dancer may express practically anything and everything to an attentive audience.
Gestures Bharatanatyam In Bharatanatyam, the classical dance of India performed by Lord Nataraja, approximately 48 root mudras (hand or finger gestures) are used to clearly communicate specific ideas, events, actions, or creatures in which 28 require only one hand, and are classified as `Asamyuta Hasta', along with 23 other primary mudras which require both hands and are classified as 'Samyuta Hasta'; these 51 are the roots but the branches permit of many more mudra, some of which are used primarily as aesthetic or decorative.
+Asamyuta hastas # Name in Sanskrit Translation(s) in English Other meanings and usage Illustration1.Patakaflagbeginning a dance, forest, river, sprinkling water, cloud, night, forbidding things, horseMarg Magazine. Bharata Natyam. 10:4, pp. 12 and opposite unnumbered page, 24. (September 1957).2.Tripatakathree parts of the flag tree, arrow, vajra weapon, Indra, crown, light rising, union3.Ardhapatakahalf flagflag, temple tower, horn, riverbank, tender shoots, writing panel, knife4.Kartarimukhascissors face or arrow shaft faceseparation of women and men, opposition, stealing, corner of the eye, death, disagreement, lightning5.Mayurapeacock or peacock's beak bird of omen, forehead, stroking the hair, wiping tears, argument6.Ardhachandrahalf moonspear, platter, anxiety, meditation, prayer, greeting7.Aralabentdrinking poison8.Shukatundaparrot headshooting an arrow, throwing a spear, mystery9.Mushthiclosed fiststeadiness, holding things, grasping the hair, wrestling10.Shikhara mountain top or spireGod of Love, bow, pillar, sound of a bell, silence, questioning, husband, lover, embrace11.Kapittawood apple Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati, holding cymbals, holding flowers at the time of flirting, milking cows12.Katakamukhaopening of a bracelet picking flowers, holding a pearl necklace or garland of flowers, drawing a bow slowly, speech, glancing13.SuchineedleParabrahma, one, one hundred, sun, city, world, fan, threatening, astonishment, umbrella, beating the drum14.Chandrakalacrescent moon digit of the moon15.Padmakoshalotus bud water lily, fruit, apple, mango, breast16.Sarpashirshasnake headgiving water to Gods and sages, the flapping of elephant's ears, slowness17.Mrigashirshadeer headwomen, calling the beloved, cheek, holding an umbrella, actor's costume, house, fear, discussion18.Simhamukhalion face elephant, lotus, coral, pearl, garland, fragrance, drop of water, salvation when placed on the heart19.Kangulashyatail Lakuce fruit, water lily, breast20.Alapadma or Solapadma lotus in full bloom yearning for the beloved, mirror, moon pavilion, full moon, village, murmuring sound, praise21.Chaturasquare eyes, musk, a little, breaking to pieces22.Bhramarabeeparrot, crane, cuckoo, union23.Hamsasyaswan beaktying the marriage thread, initiation, painting, drop of water24.Hamsapakshaswan wing arranging, constructing a bridge, making marks with the nails, number six25.SandamshaPadmakosha mudra repeatedly opened and closed generosity, worship, offering, number five26.Mukulaflower budwater lily, the God of love, eating27.Tamrachudaroostercrane, camel, calf, writing or drawing28.Trishulatridentthree together, wood apple leaf
+Samyukta mudra# Sanskrit English Other Meanings Illustration1.Anjalioffering2.Kapotamdove3.Karkatamcrab4.Swastikamauspicious sign5.Dola-Hastamdrummer's hands6.Pushpaputambag of flowers7.Utsangamembrace8.Shivalingamsign of Lord Shiva9.Kataka-vardhanamchain10.Kartari-swastikam11.Shakatamcarriage12.Shankhaconch shell 13.Chakramrotating disc14.Pasharopes15.Kilakabond16.Samputaround shaped casket17.Matsyafish18.Kurmatortoise19.Varahaboar20.Garudahalf-eagle, half-human mount of Lord Vishnubird(s) flying21.Nagabandhamsnakes entwined22.Khattvacot23.Bherundapair of birds
Khmer dances In Khmer dances, mudras are known as kayvikear dai (កាយវិការដៃ). All of the mudras symbolize plants. Name in Khmer Translation(s) in English Other meanings IllustrationKar chenh ph (ការចេញផ្)FloweringReleaseKar dam (ការដាំ)PlantingKar doh (ការដុះ)GrowingPhle (ផ្លែ)FruitPhle chrouh (ផ្លែជ្រុះ)Falling fruitPhle toum (ផ្លែទុំ)Ripe fruitSloek (ស្លឹក)LeavesSloek kh (ស្លឹកខ្)Young leaves
Thai dances Name in Thai Translation(s) in English Other meanings IllustrationTaw chan (ตัวฉัน)I, MyselfTaw thex (ตัวเธอ)You
See also List of gestures List of Indian dances Adavu
References
Further reading Marg Magazine Volume 10 - Issue 4, pp. 12-13, 24 (September 1957) Marg Magazine Volume 32 - Issue 2 (June 1979)
External links
Indianartz.com. Hasta Mudras - Gallery. Ramm-Bonwitt, Ingrid (1987). Mudras - As Maos Como Simbolo do Cosmos.