Asamyuta Hastas (Single Hand Gestures) :

• The list given below is from the Abhinaya Darpana.
• There are 28 single hand gestures.

1. Pathaaka : Flag
2. Tirupathaaka : To indicate a crown, lamp, Indra
3. Ardha Pathaaka : To indicate a flagstaff, tower, river bank
4. Karthari Muka - To indicate death, separation
5. Mayura : To represent a peacock
6. Ardha Chandra : To show the half moon
7. Araala : To indicate blowing of wind
8. Shukathundaka : To show shooting of an arrow or spear
9. Mushti : To indicate firmness or a fight
10. Shikara : To indicate a bow or pillar
11. Kapitha : To show holding of flowers, holding of cymbals by artistes
12. Katakamukha : To indicate collecting of flowers
13. Suchi : To indicate number one or supreme soul
14. Chandra Kala : To show the Moon
15. Padma Kosha : To show a flower bud or fruit
16. Sarpa Shirasa : To show a snake
17. Mriga Shirsha : Used to denote a woman, face of a deer, welfare of all
18. Simha Mukha : To show face of a lion, rabbit, sacred occasion
19. Kangula : To show a coconut, small bells or betelnut
20. Alapadma : To show a full bloomed lotus
21. Chathura : To indicate little quantity, slow movement
22. Brahmara : To show a bee
23. Hamsasya : To indicate auspiciousness, pearls, painting or drawing
24. Hamsapaksha : To indicate number six or a bridge
25. Sandamshu : To indicate fear, the number five or a wound
26. Mukula : To indicate eating or a flower
27. Thamrachooda : To show a cock, crane, crow
28. Thrishoola : To indicate the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)

Shloka for Asamyuta Hasta :

Pathakas thripathaako ardhapathaakaha karthareemukhaha

mayooraakhyo ardhachandrashcha araalaha shukhatundakaha

mushtishcha shikharaakhyashcha kapithaha katakaamukhaha

soochee chandrakalaa padmakoshaha sarpashirasthathaa

mrigasheershaha simhamukha kaangulashcha alapadmakaha

chathuro bhramarashchaiva hamsaasyo hamsapakshakaha

sandamsho mukulashchaiva thaamrachoodas thrishoolakaha

ithyasamyutha hasthaanaam ashtaa vimshathireerithaa

Samyuta Hastas (Double Hand Gestures) :

• The list given below is from the Abhinaya Darpana.
• There are 23 double hand gestures

1. Anjali : Salutation
2. Kopotha : Accepting something respectfully
3. Karkata : To show a group or blowing of a conch
4. Swastika : To show a crocodile, sky, ocean or vast expanse
5. Dola : To be used in the beginning of a dance
6. Pushpaputa : Offering of flowers
7. Utsanga : To show embrace
8. Shivalinga : To show Shiva Linga
9. Katakavardhana : To show coronation, worship and marriage
10. Karthariswastika : To show trees, branches
11. Shakata : To show large eyes, usually used with demons
12. Shanka : Conch
13. Chakra : Disc
14. Samputa : Box or secret
15. Pasha : Enemy, Quarrel
16. Kilaka : Friendhip
17. Matsya : Fish
18. Koorma : Turtle
19. Varaaha : Boar
20. Garuda : Eagle
21. Nagabandha : To show intertwined serpents
22. Khatva : Bed or palanquin
23. Berunda : Pair of birds

Shloka for Samyuta Hasta :

anjalishcha kapothashcha karkatas svasthikasthathaa

dolahastaha pushpaputa utsangaha shivalingakaha

katakaavardhanashchaiva kartharee svasthikasthathaa

shakatam shankha chakre cha samputaha paashakeelakau

mathsyaha koormo varaahashcha garudo naagabandhakaha

Dhyana Shloka :

Stand in attention, with hands in Namaskar and recite before you begin dance.

Aangikam Bhoovanam Yasya Vaachikam Sarva Vaangmayam

Aaharyam Chandra Thaaraadi Tham Numa Saatvikam Shivam

Meaning :

Shiva’s body is the entire universe

His speech is the language of the universe

His ornaments are the moon and the stars

Him we worship, the serene Lord Shiva

Important Rule for Dance :

Yetho Hasta Thatho Drishti

Yetho Drishtis Thatho Manah

Yetho Manas Thatho Baavo

Yetho Baavas Thatho Rasah

Meaning:

Wherever the hand goes the eyes follow

Wherever the eyes go the mind follows

When the mind is engaged, expression results

Where there is expression, there is beauty

- Abhinaya Darpana, Shloka No. 247