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I am a Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher and life-long student who has been learning both dance forms for the past 30 years. I am a disciple of Smt. Shyamala Surendran (Dharani School of Performing Arts, Kochi) and did my Masters in Fine Arts (MFA -Bharatanatyam) from SASTRA University under the tutelage of Dr. Padma Subramanyam. I am currently based in Singapore where I conduct dance classes, programs and productions under the banner of my school, the Medasvi School of Dance. Facebook: facebook.com/medasviharitha Blog: mohiniyattamdance.blogspot.com YouTube: youtube.com/harithaharidas84

March 26, 2012

Mudras/Hastas in Mohiniyattam – II (Various Uses)

Continued from [Mudras/Hastas in Mohiniyattam – I]


Mudras can be called the alphabets of classical dance which help in conveying expressions more profoundly. Alphabets form words, similarly, combining Mudras forms meanings. Hence these combinations of Mudras are divided into three:
  1. Asamyuktha Mudras: Showing a Mudra with just one hand. E.g. Showcasing 'woman' with the Hasta Katakam
  2. Samyuktha Mudras: Showing the same Mudra on both hands. E.g. Showcasing the 'King' - having the Hasta Pataka on both hands.
  3. Sankalana MudrasShowing different Mudras on both hands at the same time or showing different Mudras with the same hand. E.g. Showcasing the 'Cow' – Katakam on the left hand & Pathaka on right hand. The 'Tree' – Hold Araala first and then followed by Soochikamukha.


The table below gives a small description of the various uses of the 24 Mudras according to the classification above:-

Hastas
Asamyuktha Hasta
Samyuktha Hasta
Sankalana Hasta
Pathaka
clip_image002
Singing, Way, Throat, Distance, Tongue, Forehead, Day, Ray of Light
Earth, King, Sun, Wind, Ox, Lion, Creeper, Vessel, Crown, Devotee, Companion, Path, Foot, Seat, Crocodile, Hell, Banner, Body, Door, Wedding, Sweet
Dance, Dancers, Elephant, Shepherd, Empire, Cow, Night
Mudrakya
clip_image004
Desire, Doubt, Announcement, Heart, Thought, Knowledge, Peak
Mind, Sacred Thread worn by Brahmins, Movement, Everything, Life, Clothes, Sage
Ocean, Heaven, Equal, Saying No, Blow, Grow, Noble Person, Happiness, Virtue, Slightly, Hence, Death, Forget, Wealth
Katakam
clip_image006
Woman, Mirror, Bracelet, Fragrance
Krishna, Vishnu, Stars, Blue Lotus, Anklet, Waistband, Gold, Silver, Flower Garland, Holy Sacrifice, Lakshmi, Chariot, Sleeping, Precious Stone, Arrow, Ear Rings
Flower Arrow belonging to Kamadeva, Veena, Flower, Lord Ram, An Asura (Demon), Garden, Playing, Female Cuckoo, Beautiful Girl, Little Girl, Daughter
Mushti
clip_image008
Bow, Courageous Man, Asking what/ why/ how
Good Quality, Strength, Describing, Wear, To Start, Pulling
Mountain, Rising, Sunset, to give birth, to abandon, to mock, to tolerate, to stay, Father, Lord Indra, Truth, the most, to bless, to tie, Win, Cursing, to accept
Kartharimukha
clip_image010

Speak, Hear, Procrastinate, Human, Come, Slowly
Brahmin, Listen, Fame, Sin, Hunger, Cold, Animosity, Boy
Family, People, Nearby, Face, Open space, Parasuraman, Commencement, Home, Girl, Imagination, Addressing you, Addressing by Name
Shukathunda
clip_image012
Bird, Hook
Decision, Quarrel
Male Parrot, Female Parrot
Kapitha
clip_image014
Showing Two
Reason, Inquiring, Fault, Climbing, Drinking, Walking
Hamsapaksha
clip_image016
Me, Enough, Saying No, To lie down, Saying before, Hair
To bow, Matted Hair, Betrayal, Sandalwood Paste, Lord Manmata, To fill up, To save, Fish, Saying No, Addressing someone with respect, Laying the bed, Friendship, The Gods, Cheek
Moon, Lord Manmatha (Kamadeva - The God of Love), To Kill, Moonlight, To understand, Lord Shiva, Anger, Bless, Hair, to beg
Shikharam
clip_image018
Eyes, Mark on the forehead, Lightning
Walking, Climber
Centre, Lord Indra, To See
Hamsasya
clip_image020
Odour
Colour, Rice, Mercy, Love, Soft, Dust
Lips, Lover (Male & Female), Lotus Stalk
Anjali
clip_image022
To Give, To receive, Bowing to God, Bowing to one’s Guru (Teacher), Deer, Worship, Retching
Ardhachandra
clip_image024
Asking who/ when/ where/ how, Mind, Insult, Leaf
Happiness, Fatigue, Lake
Noble person, Laughter, Smile, Beauty
Mukhuro
clip_image026
Bee, Enemy
Separation from dear ones
Brother, Right Method
Bhramaro
clip_image028
Song, Exists, Drink holy water
Peacock, Rain, Cloud, Fear, Water, River, wings, Elephant Ears, Crying
Soochikamukha
clip_image030
Showing someone, Saying like that, Proper, showing the number One, Difficulty, Forehead, showing the world, showing quietness, showing eyebrows, showing something else, Crying, Drowsiness
Proper, Showing one by one, Showing a get-together, World, Climate, Break, Fall down
Tree, Death, Listen, Showing slightly, Hence, Beauty
Pallava
clip_image032
Plastering, Saying Now, Food offered to Gods, Any Offering to Deity, Far, Enemy
Book, Peak
Tripathaka
clip_image034
Saying No
Conversing with God, Gods
Mrigashirsha
clip_image036
Animal, Salt reed grass
Supreme being, Lotus petal
Sarpashiras
clip_image038
Snake, Child
Elephant Head, Gift, Serpent Head, Flower Offering, Drinking water, Snakes
Food for animals
Vardhamanaka
clip_image040
Lower lip, Kind of mark on the forehead, oblation to ancestors
Honey, Jewel
Araala
clip_image042
Cruel Man, Pride, Teeth, Bud, Showing the round shape of the Full Moon, To Think
Poison, Sin, Plant
Tree
Oornanabha
clip_image044
Ball
Snow, Lake,Fire, Light, Lotus, Horse, Heat, Jackal
Blooming of a flower, To play, Beauty, Garden, Roar, Crying aloud
Mukula
clip_image046

Eat, Mongoose, the number 5, Monkey, To wither
Luck, Purity, Auspicious Deed
Smile, Shepherd
Katakamukha
clip_image048
Heart, Ascetic’s water pot
Domestic Help, Intoxication, Warrior, Tied Up
To Kill, War

Mudras for the Gods

Name of Gods
Right Hand
Left Hand
Brahma (The Creator)
Hamsapaksha
Katakam
Ganapathi (Lord of Beginnings and Remover of Obstacles)
Pathaka
Katakamukha
Subramanian/ Muruga(God of war and victory)
Kartharimukha
Kartharimukha
Agni (God of Fire)
Mukula
Mukula
Agni (God of Fire)
Oornanabha
Oornanabha
Yama (God of Death)
Katakamukha
Katakamukha
Varuna (God of Water & Sky)
Mudrakya
Mudrakya
Varuna (God of Water & Sky)
Pathaka
Pathaka
Vayu (God of Wind)
Hamsapaksha
Hamsapaksha
Kubera (God of Wealth)
Kataka
Kataka
Saraswathi (Goddess of Knowledge, Music, Arts and Science & Brahma’s consort)
Kataka
Kataka
Parvati (Lord Shiva’s consort)
Kataka
Mrigashirsha
Vishnu (The Preserver)
Kataka
Kataka
Shiva (The Destroyer/ Transformer)
Tripathaka
Mrigashirsha


Mudras for Dasavatar
Dasavathar
(10 Incarnations of Vishnu)
Right Hand
Left Hand
Matsya (Fish)
Hamsapaksha
Hamsapaksha
Koorma (Tortoise)
Clasping both the hands and bending the middle fingers
Varaha (Boar)
Anjali
Anjali
Narasimha (Half Man – Half Lion)
Pathaka
Kartharimukha
Vamana (Dwarf)
Katakamukha
Mushti
Parashurama
Kartharimukha
Mushti
Sri Ram
Kataka
Mushti
Balarama
Kataka
Kataka
Sri Krishna
Kataka
Kataka
Kalki
Mushti
Oornanabha/Katakamukha


Mudras for Relatives

Relative
Right Hand
Left Hand
Father
Hold Mudrakya & then leave
Mushti
Mother
Kataka
Kataka
Son
Hold Mudrakya & then leave
Kartharimukha
Daughter
Hold Mudrakya & then leave
Kataka
Female Friend
Pathaka
Kataka
Male Friend
Pathaka
Pathaka
Husband
Mushti
Mushti(Thumb should rise)
Wife
Hold the left hand
Mukula
Older Brother
Mudrakya
Mushti
Younger Brother
Mukura
Mushti
Sister
Mukura
Kataka

A noticeable factor in the above Mudras representing relatives are that the female relatives have Kataka as a common Mudra while for male relatives, the Mushti Mudra is most common.


Mudras for Certain Mythological Characters

Character
Right Hand Left Hand
(Main Antagonist in the Ramayana)
Pathaka
Kartharimukha
(Eldest Kaurava – Main Antagonist in the Mahabharata)
Pathaka
Kartharimukha
(Duryodhana’s brother)
Pathaka
Araala
(Eldest Pandava – Protagonist in Mahabharata)
Pathaka
Mudrakya
(2nd Pandava)
Pathaka
Katakamukha
(A Villain in the Mahabharata)
Mushti
Mushti
(Monkey King who assisted Sri Rama in the Ramayana)
Pathaka
Mukula
(Illegimate son of Queen Kunti {mother of Pandavas} in the Mahabharata)
Kataka
Kataka
(Son of Brahma)
Hamsapaksha
Mushti
(Older of brother of Sugriva - slain by Sri Rama in the Ramayana)
Pathaka
Mukula
(Monkey God & ardent devotee of Sri Rama in the Ramayana)
Hamsapaksha
Hamsapaksha

Some of the character representations are the same in the above table. For E.g. Ravana & Duryodhana have the same Mudras but this can be identified in accordance to the narration or the story which is being depicted.

3 comments:

  1. thank you for this wonderful notes, creating better understanding

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dance Expression is and always will be a place filled with the passion and excitement of dance. Dance Expression

    ReplyDelete
  3. For peacock what is the mudra

    ReplyDelete