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Hasta

The document summarizes the hand gestures used in Bharatanatyam dance. It describes 28 single-handed gestures called Asamyuta Hastas and 24 double-handed gestures called Samyuta Hastas. Each gesture has a Sanskrit name and depicts elements like gods, animals, nature, emotions. Stories in Bharatanatyam are told through intricate combinations of hand gestures, facial expressions and dance movements.

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570 views

Hasta

The document summarizes the hand gestures used in Bharatanatyam dance. It describes 28 single-handed gestures called Asamyuta Hastas and 24 double-handed gestures called Samyuta Hastas. Each gesture has a Sanskrit name and depicts elements like gods, animals, nature, emotions. Stories in Bharatanatyam are told through intricate combinations of hand gestures, facial expressions and dance movements.

Uploaded by

patnaikanup
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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List of Asamyuta Hasta (Single Handed Gestures) & Samyuta Hasta (Double Handed Gestures) used in

Bharatanatyam
Posted on September 19, 2017 Prajyoti MadhusudanPosted in About us, General, Services Dances,
Services Schools, Services Workshops, Testimonials Recent Productions
Hastas or Hasta Mudras are an integral part of Bharatanatyam, where stories are brought to life
through intricate hand gestures combined with beautiful facial expressions and dynamic movements.

There are 52 Hasta Mudras which are divided into 28 single handed gestures or Asamyuta Hastas and
24 double Handed gestures or Samyuta Hastas. These Hastas are used to depict stories of Indian
where Gods & Goddesses, as well as various characters, creatures, elements of nature, animals,
emotions and relationships within a story . Every movement used in Bharatantyam has a Sanskrit
name and the uses these movements are taught through verses from the Natya Shastra, which is a
detailed treatise on the performing arts including Dance, Drama, Music,and Literature.

Asamuyta Hasta- Single Handed Gestures

Pathakas thripathaako ardhapathaakaha karthareemukhaha


Mayooraakhyo ardhachandrashcha araalaha shukhatundakaha
Mushtishcha shikharaakhyashcha kapithaha katakaamukhaha
Soochee chandrakalaa padmakoshaha sarpashirasthathaa
Mrigasheershaha simhamukha kaangulashcha alapadmakaha
Chathuro bhramarashchaiva hamsaasyo hamsapakshakaha
Samdamsho mukulashchaiva thaamrachoodas thrishoolakaha
Ithyasamyutha hasthaanaam ashtaa vimshathi reeritaa

Pataka – flag

Tripataka- a flag with three

Ardhapataka – half-flag
Kartarimukha – scissors

Mayura – peacock

Ardhachandra – half moon

Arala – bent

Shukatunda – parrot’s head

Mushti – fist

Shikhara – peak

Kapittha – elephant-apple

Katakamukha – opening in a bracelet


Suchi – needle

Chandrakala – digit of the moon

Padmakosha – lotus bud

Sarpashirsha – snake hood

Mrigashirsha – deer head

Simhamukha – lion face

Kangula – bud

Alapadma – bloomed lotus

Chatura – square

Bhramara – bee

Hamsasya – swan beak

Hamsapaksha – swan wing

Samdamsha – pincers

Mukula – blossom

Tamrachuda – cock

Trishula – Trident

Samuta Hasta- Double Handed Gestures

Anjalishcha kapotashcha karkata svastikastatha 
 Dolahasta pushpaputa utsanga shivalingakaha



Katakavardhanashchaiva kartarisvastikastatha
 shakatam shankha chakrecha samputa pasha kilakau

Matsya kurmo varahashcha garudo nagabandhakaha 
 khatva bherundakaakhyashcha
avahittastathaiva cha Chaturvimshati samkhyaakah samyutah kathitah karaah ll

Anjali – salutation

Kapota – pigeon

Karkata – crab
Svastika – crossed

Dolahastha – hanging hands

Pushpaputa – handful of flowers

Utsanga – embrace

Shivalinga – Lord Shiva

Katakaavardhana – bangles / bracelets

Kartaisvastika – crossed scissors

Shakata – cart

Shankha – conch

Chakra – discus

Samputa – covered box

Pasha – rope/cord

Kilaka – bond

Matsya – fish

Kurma – tortise

Varaha – boar

Garuda – eagle

Nagabandha – two snakes

Khatva – cot

Bherunda – mythical bird with two heads

Avahitta – breasts

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