A mudra is a symbol or gesture performed by hands and fingers. The soul of Indian classical dance is known to be Gesture or Mudra. According to the Natyashastra,' according to common tradition, the experts are to use the mudras and, in this matter, they should have an eye on their movement, objects, sphere, amount, suitability and mode.' The palm of your hand is the centre of your voice. It is typical of classical dance to display the palm with several finger positions. The wrist is the pivot in every direction for gestures of the hands. The mudra language is based on 24 mudras mentioned in the Natyashastra and 28 in the Abhinaya Darpana. Single-handed gestures are called asamyukta, and samyukta by those who use both hands. In these texts, each mudra is defined, with details about how the fingers should be stretched, divided, or bent to shape the particular mudra. Mudras have been described as the language of dance by theoreticians, academics, critics and artists from Bharata Muni's time to the present age.
List of Single Handed Mudras (Asamyukta)
Pataka (flag)
Tripataka (three colours)
Arthpataka (half flag)
Kartari Mukha (scissors)
Mayurrakhyo (peacock)
Arthchandra (half moon)
Araala (bent)
Shukhathunda (parrot’s head)
Mushti (fist)
Shikhar (a peak)
Kapittha (elephant apple)
Kataka Mukha (opening of a bracelet, bird, girl)
Suchi (needle)
Chandrakala (digit of the moon)
Padmkosh (lotus bud)
Sarpsirsha (snake head)
Mrigasirsha (deer head)
Simha-Mukha (lion face)
Kangula (tail)
Alpadma (full blown lotus)
Chatura (musk)
Brahmara (bee)
Hamsasya (swan face)
Hamspaksha (swan feather)
Samtamsha (grasping)
Mukula (bud)
Tammechule (red crest)
Trishula (trident)
Keep up the good work.
Never knew that hand gestures can also narrate a story!
Excellent 🥰