Hasthabhinayam (Asamyutha Mudras with meaning and Slokam)

In this article, we will be learning Hasthabhinayam. There are four types of Abhinaya (the art of expression); Angika, Vachika, Aharya and Sattwika.

Angika Abhinaya is where the expression is carried by the different parts of the body. This is divided into three i.e. Anga (major limbs), Pratyanga (minor limbs) and Upanga (subsidiary limbs). There are 6 Anga. They are Shira, Hasta, Kati, Vakshasthala, Parshwa and Pada. Among these 6 Angas, Hastas play an important role in Natya, Nritta, Nritya. They are the basic tool used for explaining the meaning of the songs and texts, etc used in theatre and dance. While dancing the performer don’t speak (except in few classical Indian dance forms) like in theatre. While dancing the dancer uses these hand gestures to communicate the meaning of the song to the audience.

The word Hasta Mudra means Hand gestures. These are divided into two main categories i.e Asamyutha hastas (the word "A-Samyutha" means "Not-Joint". These are also called single-handed gestures) and Samyutha Hastas (the word "Samyutha" means "Joint". These are also called double-handed gestures).

ASAMYUTHA HASTAS

According to Abhinayadarpanam:

Abhianyadarpana is a text on Abhinaya by Acharya Nandikeshwara written in around 11th - 12th century. This text contains 324 verses. Here, Acharya has described 28 AsamyutaHastas with a detailed description of their uses (Viniyogas). The 28 Asamyuta Hastas according to Abhinaya Darpana are:

“Pathakas Tripathako Ardhapathakas Kartharimukhaha

Mayoorakhyo Ardhachandrascha Araala Shukathundakaha

Mushtischa Shikharakhyascha Kapitha Katakhamukhaha

Suchi Chandrakhala Padmakosha Sarparhirasthathaa

Mrigashirsha Simhamukhaha Kaangoolascha Alapadmakaha

Chaturo Bhramaraschaiva Hamsasyo Hamsapakshakaha

Samdamsho Mukulaschaiva Thaamrachoodas Trisoolakaha

Ithyaasamyukta Hastanam Ashtavimshati reerita”

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/KqPHurKj4qA 

S.NO	MUDRA	VINIYOGA (USAGE)
1.	PATHAKA	Beginning of dance, Forest, Cutting, Bless, Equality, Sword
2.	TRIPATHAKA	Crown, Tree, Flames, Shoot arrow
3.	ARDHAPATHAKA	Leaves, Knife, Flag, Horns
	KARTHAREEMUKHA	Separation, Corner of eye, Death, Creeper
5.	MAYURA	Peacock, Putting tilak, Very famous, Pleating hair
6.	ARDHACHANDRA	Moon, Offering to god, Waist, Greeting, Mirror,
7.	ARALA	To drink, strong wind, showing waves through wind
8.	SHUKHATUNDA	shooting an arrow, spear
9.	MUSHTI	grasping, fighting, pillar, steadiness
10.	SHIKHARA	manmadha, certainity, lips, to pour liquid, question
11.	KAPITHA	goddess lakshmi, milking cows, holding flowers
12.	KATAKAMUKHA	plucking flowers, wearing necklace, offering beetel leaves, to smell
13.	SOOCHI	pointing, showing parabhrama, thinking
14.	CHANDRAKALA	crescent moon
15.	PADHMAKOSHA	bowl, egg, various fruits
16.	SARPASEERSHA	snake, caring, muscles of wrestlers
17.	MRUGASEERSHA	show women, group of people, house, to call loved one
18.	SIMHAMUKHA	to smell, face of animal, show pearls
19.	KANGULA	lemon, chakora bird, beetle nut
20.	ALAPADMA	lotus, praise, basket of flowers
21.	CHATHURA	show small quantity, eye, slow movement
22.	BRAHMARA	honey bee, parrot
23.	HAMSAASYA	tying chain, drop of water, draw line, holding garland
24.	HAMSAPAKSHA	bridge, house
25.	SAMDHAMSA	offering, number 5, fear
26.	MUKULA	eating, secret,
27.	TAAMRACHOODA	beak, crow
28.	TRISHULA	to show 3, goddess weapon

According to Natyashastram:

Natyashastra, dealing with different aspects of Natya was written by Acharya ShreshthaBharatmuni around 2nd century B.C. The text has 36 chapters describing the basic tools of Natya. In chapter 9th the Asamyuta Hastas have been described in detail. There are 24 Asamyuta Hasta according to Natyasahastra of Bharatmuni.

"Patakas tripatakascha | tatha vai kartarimukhaha ardhachandro aralascha | shukhatundastathaiva cha mushtischa shikharakyascha | kapitha katakamukaha suchasya padmakoshascha | tatha vai sarpasirshakaha mrigasirsha paro gneyo | hastabhinaya yoktribihi langulo alapadmascha | chaturo bhramarastatha hamsasyo hamsapakshascha | samdamso mukulastatha urnanabha tamrachudaha | chaturvimsadime karaha"

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