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