THE SYMBOLISM AND MEANING BEHIND THE HAND GESTURES(MUDRAS) USED IN BHARATHANATYAM

Every dance form has its mode of communication. In Bharathanatyam one of the

important means to communicate the meaning of the song is through hand gestures

“mudras”. The hand become a vehicle of “Dance Speech”. Each mudra has a specific

significance and is used to express an emotion or picture.

Some conventionally used mudras to communicate a scene or story are as follows.

Sikhara – The mudra can be held by bending the four fingers are bent into the

palm and making a fist. The thumb is held straight up. (For a better mental

picture, it can be understood as showing a thumbs up)

Uses – to show a bow, ringing a bell, embrace (using both hands), show a hero,

pillar and many more.

Kartari – This mudra is held by joining the thumb with the ring finger and little

finger, and the index finger, centre finger symbolizes the number two.

Uses – show a creeper, lightning, parting of a couple(using both hands),

different, hill top, etc.

Tripataka – The mudra can be held by bending only the ring finger and holding

the other fingers straight.

Uses – to show a tree(running both the hands parallelly), crown (using both

hands, kept above head and crossing them), showing light, stroking of hair, etc.

Anjali – This mudra is shown using two hands. Both the palms are joint

together and held.

Uses – Salutations to God, Guru, Elders, Greetings.

The above mentioned are just few examples of the many many mudras used in

Bharathanatyam. They have also been categorized into various divisions.