kathak mudras

kathak mudras Have various type. Hand mudras (hasta mudra) are the most important part of dancing in kathak. kathak mudras  makes the story easy to understand. Today we are going to learn about various dance mudras in kathak and its meaning.

hasta mudras Have 2 Types :- 

1)samyukt ( double handed )

2) asamyukt (single handed)

Asamyutha Hastas: The One- Handed Gestures

Hasta	Meaning	How to
Pathakam	Flag/creeper	Pathakam is done with all fingers held straight like the Stop sign. There should be no gap between the fingers.
Tripathakam	3 parts of a flag/	In this Mudra all the fingers are held straight and close together like the stop sign except for the ring finger which is bent.
Ardhapathakam	2 parts of a flag/	It is done by bending the little finger after doing the Tripataka.
Kartarimukham	Scissors/ Tongs	Mudra is done when the little finger and the ring finger is bent and pressed against the thumb. While the index finger and the Middle finger is stretched to show a scissor.
Mayuram	Peacock	The ring finger and the tip of the thumb touch each other while the other fingers are held straight without any gap.
Ardhachandran	Half Moon	All the finger are held straight and together except the thumb finger which is held apart. It is just like the Pataka gesture but the thumb finger is held straight and not bent like in Pataka.
Aralam	Petal/ bent	It is done when the Index finger is bent while doing the Pataka Mudra. Here the index finger is bent along with the thumb while the other fingers are held straight.
Shukathundam	Parrot’s beak	When the Ring finger of the Arala mudra is bent we get Shukatunda Hasta.
Mushti	Fist	When the four fingers are pressed closely against the palm while the thumb is held tightly between the palm and the other four fingers.The thumb can also be placed on the four fingers
Shikaram	The pinnacle/ top	Here all the fingers are bent and pressed against the Palm except the thumb. The thumb is raised and held erect. (like the thumbs-up Sign)
Kapitam	Wood apple	While doing Shikhara mudra bending the pointer finger and pressing it over the thumb is the Kapitta mudra.
Katakamukham	bracelet/link	Katakamukha means “Opening in a Bracelet”. Its done by bringing together the index finger middle finger and thumb. The ring finger and the little finger are raised at angles as shown.
soochi	needle	The Middle finger Ring finger and Little finger is pressed against the thumb while the forefinger is held straight.
Chandrakala	Full moon	Chandrakala means Digit of the Moon. Release the thumb in Suchi Mudra and hold it straight
Padmakosam	Lotus Bud	All the fingers are stretched and slightly brought closer to form Padmakosha.
Sarpasirsham	Hood of Cobra	When the Hand is held in Pataka Mudra and the fingers are bend from the tip to form a hollowed palm we get Sarpashirsha Mudra.
Mrigaseerisham	Deer’s head	Fingers are bent from the knuckles except for the little finger and the thumb which is held straight
Simhamukham	Lion’s face	When the middle finger and the ring finger press against the thumb while the other fingers are held straight we get the Simhamukha Hasta.
Kangulam	small bell	The ring finger in bent while the other fingers are stretched out.
Alapadmam	Fully Bloomed Lotus	Here the fingers are held in such a manner as if to ask “why”. The little finger points up and thereafter the other fingers follow.
Chaturam	4 sides square	When the thumb in Mrigashirsa mudra is held at the base of the Index middle and ring finger we get the Chatura Hasta.
Bramharam	Bee	When the Index finger in the Katakamukha mudra is curled and placed in between the middle finger and the thumb we get the Bhramara mudra.
Hamsasyam	Swan’s bill	the Thumb and the Index finger touch each other at the tips while the other fingers are straight separated   and stretched.
Hamsapakshakam	The swan	Similar to mrigasirsha but thumb is also bent.
Sandamsham	Tongs/twinkle	Sandamsha involves closing and opening of fingers.
Mukulam	bud	When all the five finger are brought together and touch each other at the tip.
Tamarachooda	rooster	When the Index finger of the Suchi Mudra is bent we get the Tamrachuda hasta.
Trishoolam	Trident	When the Thumb and the little finger are bent or meet each other while the Index Middle and the ring finger are held straight. This Gesture looks like the weapon Trishula.

Pathaakas tripatako ardhapatakaha kartarimukhaha
Mayuraasyo ardhachandrashcha araala shukatundakaha
Mushtishcha shikaraakhyashcha kapittha katakamukhaha
Suchi chandrakala padmakosha sarpashirastatha
Mrigashirsha simhamukhaha kangulo alapadmakaha
Chaturo bramarashchaiva hamsaasyo hamsapakshakaha
Samdamsho mukulashchaiva tamrachuda trishulakaha
Ityasamyutahasta hastaanaam ashtavinshatiririta