January 08, 2018: Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 5 - Bandhava Hasta
January 08, 2018: Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 5 - Bandhava Hasta
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Bandhava Hasta means the hand gestures that reflects the relationship. These are very important for dance
compositions. These are also known as Bandhu Hastas. As per Abhinaya Darpana There are 11 Bandhava Hastas.
They are as follow
1. Dampati Hasta : It means married couples.This is denoted with Shikhara in left and Mrigashisya in right
hand.
2. Matru : Matru or mother is depicted by holding Ardhachandra in left hand near stomach(turned over)
and Samdamsam in right hand.
3. Pitru : Pitru or father is depicted by holding Ardhachandra held near stomach in the left hand and
Shikhara in the right hand
4. Sodra : Sodara means Brother. Elder brother is depicted by Myura is both the hands in front of the belly.
Younger brother is shown by Mayura hands on both the sides.
5. Putra : Putra or Son is depicted by Shikhara in left and Samdam in right held near the belly and then
moved in a circular way.
6. Snusha : Means Daughter -in - law and is depicted by showing Putra hasta and then Mrigashishya in right
hand.
7. Swashru/ Shvashuru : This means Mother -in -law. Depicted by Hasmsasya in the left hand (near
neck) and right hand Samdam.
8. Swashru : This means Father -in- law. Dpicted by Hamsasya in the left hand (near neck) and Samdam
hasta in the right hand and then Shikhara.
9. Sapatni : Saptani or second wife. Depicted by Parsha hasta and then Mrigashishya.
10. Nanand : Means Sister - in -law. Depicted by Shikara in the left and Kartarimukhaha in th eright and then
Mrigashishya.
11. Bhartru : Means Brother - in - law. Depicted by Shikara in the left and Kartaimukhaha in the right.
Jaati Hasta or Varna Hasta
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Since Pre - historic times, Indian society had a complex, inter- dependent and co operative political economy
where each individual had a specific role to play in uplifting the society and human welfare. The caste system in
ancient India was followed with precise order and instructions. One can go on and on about the intricacies of the
Caste System in India. Many research in modern times have been conducted on the caste systems. For centuries,
caste dictated each and every aspect of Hindu life with each group occupying a specific place in the complex
hierarchy.
Earliest mention of the caste system in ancient India can be found in Manusanhita (1000 years before Christ), a
book written by King Manu who ruled South India and have said to migrated to North India.
Jaati Hastas are very common in Indian classical dance compositions. While composing a dance drama it becomes
very important to depict the characters with the help of these Hastas. These hastas in co ordination of the body
language will help the dancers to depict charecters and invoke the right bhavas.
These are also known as Varna Hastas. There are 4 main Varna as per ancient Hinduism.
Brahmans : They formed the top level of the pyramid. They were the priests and teachers.
Kshatriyas : They were the warrior class consisting of the kings, army, administrators etc. They were known as the
Rajanas.
Vayshyas : They were the merchant,artisan,traders and farmer class.
Sudras : These were the remaining lot or the labor class who worked for others.
In addition to these 4 main Varnas, Natyashastra mentions the exsistance of Rakshasha Hasta.
Author's Note : It is my personal request to the young teachers to teach all the hasta mudras. Incomplete
knowledge of these will make the students incompetent to choreograph in later stage of career. It is our duty to
give the next generation the right and full knowledge or else we run the risk of loosing the same.
Caste System in India
Dev Hasta
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Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 3 - Deva Hasta
January 08, 2018
Deva Mudras are an integral part of learning Indian Classical dance. These mudras are taught at a very early age to
the students in order to achieve fluency.
Bhrama Hasta : Hindus believe Creation is not a simple task, infact it is not even a one man’s job. Bhrama is know
as the Supreme creator. He is the first one of the Supreme Trinity. The entire World is his creation. His colour is
considered as pale Red. His picture depicts him as a
widely old man with wisdom. He hold Rosary, Lotus, Vedas and Kamandalu
with his four hands. He is said to have written the 4 vedas and his vehicle is a white SWAN. His wife is Godessess
Saraswati. He is said to be born from the naval of God Vishu. He is seen always in sitting position depicting the
concentration that is required to create. Brahma temples are found outside India, such as in Thailand at the
Erawan Shrine in Bangkok. He is represented with Left hand holding the Chatura hasta (representing the 4 hands
or 4 mouth or the 4 Vedas) and Right hand in Hamsasya hasta (representing holding Rosary and giving boon at the
same time).
Vishnu Hasta : He is known as the preserver of the Universe. Ancient Sanskrit text describes him as one who
pervades all. He is depicted as dark skinned some time blue skinned with four hands holding Sanka (Corn shell
when blown is suppose to create positive vibes), Chakra(representing the circle of time or eternity also a weapon),
Gada (Weapon) and Lotus(flower or purity). He is seen either in standing Position or lying posture, which
represents either working exhaustively or resting. He sleeps on coiled snake with multi hood or Adi Ananta
Sheshnaga (Primal-Limitless-Residue, which is numerically visualized as One-Infinity-Zero) which represents the
complexity of life. The Hindu philosophy as a whole have been obsessed with infinity (everything-ness) and zero
(nothingness) and with the number one (the beginning). We time and again find mention of rebirth, cyclical time,
and a world where there are no boundaries. His dress is luxurious with silk and color yellow representing the
Grahasti life. He is shown with two hands holding Tripataka below the navel or rite above the navel.
Next in the list is that of the feminine power. Under this group we have 3 main Godessess as per Nandikeswara
and addition have been made afterwards.These are commonly known as Devi Hastas. The main 3 Devi hastas are
that of Parvati, Saraswathi and Lakshmi. Addition like that of
Meenakshi, Andal, Lalitha, Velli, Deviyani, Mukhambi have been done at much later stage. For the benefit of the
students we should discuss this brief.
Lakshmi : She is considered as the goddesses of Wealth and Prosperity. Her husband is Lord Vishnu. Her four hand
suggests 4 principal goals of like viz. Dharma, Kama, Artha and Moksha. It is believed that a human life is satisfied
only if all these four virtues are found in balance in once’s life. Lakshmi represented by holding both hands in
kapitta hasta close to the bosom. Her arrier is a white Owl.
Saraswathi : She is shown by holding suchi hasta in the right hand near the chest and the left hand in kapitta hasta
raised above shoulder level.She is normally shown with veena (musical instrument) in her hand. Her carrier is a
White Swan. In her four hands she hold veena with two and rosary and 4 vedas in other two hands.
Navasindhi Hastas
Next in the list is the Adi devas, These are the groups of devas that governs the nature. Historians believe that
ancient Hindus worshiped the uncontrolled forces of nature and would give luxurious offerings to make the GODS
happy. There is a debate among the historian on which group these Gods fall under. While some call them the ADI
Deva many call them the Nava Sandhi including Bhrama in the center. In addition to this Akasham was taken as
another side. The ten directions are implied in the name -Dasha Dwisha. It is believed that during a dance
performance these Gods are in charge of the 9 sides of the stage.
In addition to this there are 3 important gods mentioned in Abhinaya Darpana by Nandikeshwara. These hand
gestures are to be practiced thoroughly in order to understand the true base of NatyaShastra.
Kamadeva or Manmatha : He is the ancient Indian cupid who induces lusty desires in our minds. His bow is made
of Sugarcane with a string of honey bees, the arrows are decorated with 5 fragnents. By holding right hand in
Katakamukha and the left hand in Shikhara hasta manmatha is represented.
Muruhgan : He carrys a spear in one hand and the other hand is always blessing the devotees.
His vehicle is a peacock that is in grip of a serpent. . Kartikeya is dipicted by holding left hand
in Trishula hasta and right hand in Shikhara hasta
Ganesha : He is depicted by kapitta hasta in the right hand, while the same hasta is held in the left hand, but facing
downwards. . In the shiva purana it is said that Goddess parvati created ganesha out of the dirt of her body while
bathing and assigned the task of guarding until she finishes her bath. Meanwhile lord shiva returned and was
furious as he saw a stranger boy would not let him enter. In anger he cut off the boys head. Now parvati was grief
struck and pleaded to bring back her son’s life. Thus shiva ordered his men to bring the head of a sleeping being
who faced the north. As such they could find only an elephants head. Shiva restored the boys life and declared him
as Ganapati (leader of his troops or ganas). This elephant headed god rides on a mouse. He is said to be a god of
Wisdom and success and worshiped as one who removes obstacles of his devotees.
In addition to the above Deva Hastas there are few more that needs to be taught to the students.
Name Left Hand Right Hand
Shanmukha Hasta Trishoola Hasta Shikhara Hasta
Indra Hasta Tripataka Hasta Swastika Hasta
Agni Hasta Kangoola Hasta Tripataka Hasta
Yama Hasta Paasha Hasta Suchi Hasta
Kubera Hasta Padmakosha Hasta Ardhachandra Hasta
Vaayu Hasta Ardhapataka Hasta Arala Hasta
Varuna Hasta Shikhara Hasta Pataka Hasta
Niruti Hasta Khatva Hasta Shakata Hasta
Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 9 - Jantu Hasta
January 08, 2018
These are not so common and is hardly ever taught to the students in the class. However it is advisable to read
this. This strictly falls under "Good to Know" information.
known as Hasta or Hasta Mudra. Mudra or these hand gestures are the
alphabets of dance. each and every mudra denotes specific meaning. With
proper usage of these mudra one can narrate stories. Now with two hands
there are two types of hand gestures. They are --- Asamyukta Mudra and
Samyukta Mudra
Asamyukta Mudra : These are the one hand gestures. When the mudra is
performed with only one hand, its called Asamyukta Mudra. There are 28
Asamyukta hasta as per Natya Shastra. These can further be divided into 3
Pataka : This is the first Asamyukta hasta. All the four fingers (except the
thumb) are stretched and placed straight together. The thumb is bent.
Pataka is used for showing Flag, Blade, Sword, Blessing, Road etc.
Tripitaka : While doing Pataka if one bends the ring finger, we get Tripataka.
This is used for depicting Crown of a king, while doing Adavus, Manaha,
Kartari Mukham : This is used for depicting Scissors, Cutting anything etc.
Mayuram : While doing pataka bend the ring finger in a way, so that it
touches the thumg. This is used for depicting birds with beak. As the name
not bend but stretched towards other direction to form an angle between
the Pointing finger and Thumb. This is used for showing Female Goddess,
Arala : This is pataka with the thumb and pointing finger bent. This is used
for reflecting
Mushti : Fold all the fingers in to the palm & keep the thumb on them to show Mushti Hasta(like a fist).
Strength, Dragging by the Hair, Courageous, Holding Things Wrestling to show all these Mushti Hasta is
used
.
Shikara : Stretch the thumb finger in Mushti Hasta to show Shikhara Hasta. Cupid, Bow, Piller,
Silence, Offerings to the dead ancestors Lips, Enterung, Teeth, Questioning Limbs, saying 'NO',
Recollection, At he end of an expression Tieing around the waist, Hugging Weapon names Shakti,
Weapon called Tomara, Ringing the Bell, Churning Shikhara Hasta is used
Katakamukham
Soochi
Chandrakal
Padmokosha
Sarpashisya
Mrigashisya
Singhamukhm
Kangual
Alapadma
Chaturam
Bhromaram
Hamsasya
Hamsapakshya
Samdamsam
Mukulam
Tramrochura
Trisulam
Do note that the above 28 mudras as mentioned in Natya Shastra. Along
with these quite a few mudras have come into exsistance. These new
mudras are quite extensively used in dance compositions even today. Few
Urṇa-nābha (spider): the fingers of the Padmakośa hand are bent. It originates from Narasiṃha
when he was tearing the body of the Daitya (Hiraṇyakaśipu). Its sage is Sārdulaka, its race
Kṣattriya, its colour blood-red, its patron deity the Primal Tortoise (Kurmāvatāra of Viṣṇu). Usage:
scratching the head, theft, Narasiṃha, face of a deer, lion, monkey, tortoise, karṇikara, breast,
Bāṇa (arrow): the three fingers joined just touch the thumb, and the little finger is extended. Usage:
Ardha-sūcika (half-needle): the forefinger of the Kapittha hand is raised. Usage: sprout, young bird,
etc., large insect.
PATANGA HASTA
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Bandhava Hasta means the hand gestures that reflects the relationship within the family. These are very
important for dance compositions. These are also known as Bandhu Hastas.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtWHYq31fMo
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Abhinaya Darpanam
7. Hasta Pranam. 8. Asamyuta Hastah. 9. Samyuta Hastah. 10. Deva Hastah. 11. Dikpala
Hastah. 12. Dasavatara Hastah. 13. Varna Hastah. 14. Bandhava hastah. 15. Navagraha
hastah. 16. Raja hastah. 17. Samudra hastah. 18. Nadi hastah. 19. Loka hastah. 20.
Nrtta Hastah. 21. Pada Bhedah. 22. Mandala Bhedah. 23. Sthanaka Bhedah. 24. Utplavana
Bhedah. 25. Bhramari Bhedah. 26. Cari Bhedah. 27. Gati Bhedah. 28. Vrksa Hastah. 29.
There are four words to describe the direction that the hasta is
facing:
Uttana: palm up
Adhomukha: palm down
Unmukha: palm facing dancer
Paran Mukha: palm facing away from dancer
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Nritta Hastas
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