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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

May 29, 2012

MOHINIYATTAM HASTAS -Hand Gestures -IV(Viniyoga Slokas & Meanings)




In this post, the description of each Hasta as given in the “Hasta Lakshana Deepika”. A distinct description of “ Sankalana Hastas” is not touched upon in the same. The dancer themselves will have to identify the different type of Hastas whether it is, Samyutha Hastas or Sankalana Hastas.









1


Pathaka



Samyuktha 
“sooryO RAja-ggaja-simhO vrushabhO grAha thOranau LathA-pathAka veechiScha rathhyA-pAthala-bhoomayaH jaghanam bhAjanam harmmyam sAyam maddhyandi-namghanam vAlmeeka mooroor dAsashchva charanam chakra-mAsanam  ashanir-ggopuram  Saityam Sakatam soumya-kubajakau-kavAda-mupadhAnaScha pari-ghAnghya latharggaLe shaLthrimSal bharathEnOkthAH PathAkassamyuthAkarAH

Double Hand Uses
Sun, King, Elephant, Lion, Ox, Crocodile, Decoration, Creeper,  Flag, Wave, Way, Hell, Earth, Lower stomach, Vessel, Terrace, Dusk, Noon, Cloud, Anthill, Thigh, Servant, Travel, Wheel, Seat, Thunderbolt, Building, Cold, Vehicle, Calmness, Hill, Door, Pillow, A plant, Foot, Bolt – These are the 36 double hand gestures for Pathaka Hasta.


Asamyuktha
“divasam-gamanam jihva-lalATam gAthra-mEvacha iva SabdaScha doothak ssaikatha PallavAH
asamyuktha PathAkAkhyo DaSahastAsameerithAH
Single Hand Gesture
Day, Movement, Tongue,Forehead,Body, In this manner, Voice, Messenger, Sand Hill, Leaves – These are the 10 single hand gestures for Pathaka Hasta.
2


Mudrakhya






Samyuktha Hastas
“varddhanam chalanam swargga-ssamudra-ssAndra-vismrithihi sarvvo vignjanApanam vastu mruthyuScha dhyAnamEvacha upaveetha HrujuprOkthA MudrakhyastuthrayOdasha HastAstu samyuktha prOkthanAtyasiddhAnthavedibhihi



Double hand Gestures
“Grow, Movement, Heaven, Ocean, Lack of space, Forgetfulness, To know everything, Belongings, Death, Meditate, Sacred Thread worn by Brahmins, Straight line – These are the 13 double hand gestures for Mudrakya Hasta.


Asamyuktha Hastas
“chiththam chintha-abhilaashaScha swayanjchaiva thathhasmrithi punaH JnjanaScha PaSchaal PrANa-parAbhavou bhaavrurththhaScha NanjaEththhaScha Chathurththhi DwadaSObhithaHa asamyuktha muneendraisthu karA MudrahvayAsmrithAha




Single Hand Gestures
“Mind, Thought, Desire, Self, To remember, Knowledge, Creation, Life, Displeasure, Future, Saying No, To say like that – These are the 12 single hand gestures for Mudrakya Hasta.


3



Katakam



Samyuktha Hastas
“vishnuH KrishnO aalee-BAnah swarNam roopyam niSAchari nidrA-pradhAnayOshith sree-veeNA-thArA-bragul-palam rakshah kireeTam parigham ViSesha srundanam punah sahArththhO VimSathikarAsamyukthA KatakAhwayaH



Double Hand Gestures
Vishnu, Krishna, Balarama, Arrow, Gold, Silver, Demoness, Sleep, Important woman, Goddess Lakshmi, Veena(a string instrument), Star, Flower Garland, Blue lotus, Demon, Crown, Club, News – These are the 20 double hand gestures for Kataka Hasta.
Asamyuktha Hastas
“kusumam darppaNam nAri hOma-swEdhwEl-pavAchakam SabdasthooNeera SuRbhinnirddhishTa KatakAbhidhAha asamyuktha navakarA nAtyaSAstraviSAradhaiH
Single Hand Gesture
Flower, Mirror, Woman, Sacrificial fire, Sweat, A Little, Quiver for arrows, Fragrance – These are the 9 single hand gestures for Kataka Hasta.
4


Mushti




Samyuktha Hastas
“suthOpa-varggO-lAvaNyam puNyam bhootScha banDanam yOgya-sthhiScha gulphaScha karshanam chAmaram Yamah panKa-oushadi Saapoucha Dola-dAnam-pradakshiNam khananam thyAga kunthoucha vikrama-sthapanam thathhA ulkkeerNNam prasavaSchaiva –hastAsthe panchavimSathih mushTisamjanja muneendrai samyukthaha parikeerththithAH


Double Hand Gestures
Charioteer, Boon, Beauty, Auspicious Deed, Happening,Box,Proper, Situation,  Heel, Pulling, Whisk, Lord Yama, Dirt, Medicine, Curse, Swing, Gift, Circumambulation, Dig a hole, To Abandon, Spear, Valorous, Heat, To sow, To deliver a child – These are the 25 Double Hand Gestures of Mushti Hasta.

Asamyuktha Hastas
vruthhArththhaScha brishaththhaScha dhigarththha ssachiva sthathhA langhanam sahanam dAnam-anuvAdOjayam dhanuh asmachchha-baidaka vAkyanthu jarAharana bhOgane ayuktha mushtinAmAnaH karA panjchadaSobhithaH

Single Hand Gestures
Simply, Excessive, Insult, Minister, To stop, To tolerate, To give, Permission, Victory, Bow(Archery), We, The number one, Old age, To grab, Eat –These are the 15 Single Hand Gestures of Mushti Hasta.
5


Kartharimukha



Samyuktha Hastas
pApah SramO brahmaNaScha keerththiH kubhOm-gruham-vratham Suddhis-theernjcha vamshaScha-kshudhA SravaNa bhAshaNai gaRbhO-vasAnam mrigayA nAtyajainjar munipugavaiH karththareemukha hastAthu samyukthA shODaSasmrithaH”

Double Hand Gestures
Sin, Difficulty, A Brahman, Glory, Elephant Head, House, Penance, Pure, River Bank, Family, Hunger, To listen, To talk, Pregnancy, Conclusion, Hunting – These are the 16 Double Hand Gestures of Kartharimukha Hasta.

Asamyuktha Hastas
“yuSmadarththhaika-vachanam vachanamsamayakramaH bahookthi rasmadarththhaScha maRththyO vakthram virOdhitham bAlakona-kulaSchApinruththajainjaha samudeerithaH karththareemukha hastAkhyA asamyuktha daSaiva Hi”


Single Hand Gestures
You(Plural),Word, Time, Plural, We, Human, Face, Animosity, Boy, Mongoose – These are the 10 Single Hand Gestures of Kartharimukha Hasta
6

Shukathunda




Samyuktha Hastas

“hastOyamanKuSechaiva pakshiNevya prayujyathe”


Double Hand Gestures

Hook to control elephants, Bird – are the hand gestures of Shukathunda.
7

Kapitha



Samyuktha Hastas
“vagura samSayah pimchhA pAna-sparSO nivarththanam bahiH prishThavatharaNe padavinyAsa ithyapi samyukthasthukapiththakhyAdaSahastA sameerithAH”

Double Hand Gestures
Net, Doubt, Peacock feather, To drink, To touch, Return, Backside, Outside, To get down, To keep a step – These are the 10 Double Hand Gestures of Kapitha Hasta.
8




Hamsapaksha




Samyuktha Hastas
“chandrO-vAyurm-manmaththhaScha dEva parVatha-sAnavaH nitya-bAndava-sha yyaScha SilA-sukhmura-sthanam vasanam vAhanam vyAja SSayanam-pathanam janah thADanam ChhAdanam chaiva vyApanam sthhApanamthathha AyAnam namananjchAthha majjanam chandanam thathha Alimgananjcha-anuyAnam pAlanam prApaNam gadA kapOlamamsaH kESAScha VidhEya-anugrahou MuniH ithi SathabdAbhidhEyaScha matsya-poojana KachchhpAh Hamsapakshakhya Hasthathu ChathvArimSadwayOththarAH samyuktha nAtyaSAsthrajnjaih kathhithAmunipugavaiH


Double Hand Gestures
Moon, Wind, Lord Manmatha,Devas(Gods),Mountain, Valley, Saying every time, Relatives, Bed, Rock, Happiness, Chest, Breast, Clothes, Fake, To take, Sleep, Fall, People, To beat, To disappear, Spread, To place, To show come, Namaskaram(Indian way of greeting one another),Bathing, Sandal paste, To embrace, To follow, To save, To send away, Club, Cheeks,Shoulder,Hair, Humility, Bless,Sage, Saying like this, Fish, To worship,Tortoise - These are the 42 Double Hand Gestures of Hamsapaksha Hasta.


Asamyuktha Hastas
“yushmal bahookthi-khaDgouruT-idA-neemaha-magrathaH parashoor hEthirAhwAna muthsamga-prApthi-vArENa ayukthA hamsapakshakhya hasatA EkadriSa smrithaha




Single Hand Gestures
Saying You, Sword, Anger, Saying Now, Me, In front of, Small axe, Flame, To call, Gaining Entrance, To stop –These are the 11 single gestures of Hamsapaksha Hasta.
9

Shikhara





Samyuktha Hastas
“sanjchAram charanou nEtrE darSanam mArgga mArggaNE karNNou pAnam karASchashtou samyuktha Sikara smrithaH”



Double Hand Gestures
Walk, Legs, Eyes, To see, Way,
To enquire, Ears, To drink – These are the 8 Double Hand Gestures of Shikhara Hasta.

10

Hamsasya



Samyuktha Hastas
“kaneenikA mridu-ddhooLee paNDarO-neela-lOhithou kAruNA rOmarAjiScha samsmruthA munipumgavaiH hamsAsya hasta nriththajnjairashTOvEvahisamyuthA”

Double Hand Gestures
Sight, Softness, Dust, White colour, Blue colour, Red Colour, Compassion, Horripilation - These are the 8 Double Hand Gestures of Hamsasya Hasta.


Asamyuktha Hastas
“varshArambhaha kESa rOmarEkhA thriveli rithyapi asamyukthAsthu ChathwAro hamsasyAkhyaH karAh SmrithaH”

Single Hand Gestures
Beginning of monsoon, Hair, Stating rule, Fold on the stomach - These are the 4 single gestures of Hamsasya Hasta.
11

Anjali




Samyuktha Hastas
“pravarsham vamanam vahniH pravAha-praswana-prabhA moorddhajam kuNDdalanjchaiva santhApa-ssambhramassadA nadee-snAnam pravAhaScha rudhiram nAtyakOvidaiH samyukthAnjali nAmAnO hastApanjchAdashObhitah”


Double Hand Gestures
Heavy Rain, Retching, Fire, Horse, Loud Noise, Light, Hair, Earrings, Heat, Anxiety, Saying everytime, River, Bathing, Flow, Blood – These are the 15 double hand gestures of Anjali Hasta.



Asamyuktha Hastas
“ayukthAnjali nAmAnAvubhavEva karasmrithou SAkhA KrOdhaScha vidhwathbhiH nAtyaSAsthraviSAradhaiH”

Single Hand Gestures
Branch of a tree, Anger – These are the 2 single hand gestures of Anjali Hasta.
12

Ardhachandra



Samyuktha Hastas
“yadyaRththhyaScha kimaRththhaScha vaivashr^ncjha nabhasthhalam dhanyo daivam smrithinjchApi thr^nam puruSakunthaLam samyukthAsthwaRddha chandrAkhya hastAnava SmeerithAH.


Double Hand Gestures
Saying if you say so, Saying for that, Distress/Dependence, Sky, Satisfaction, God, Memory, Grass, Hair of a male – These are the 9 double hand gestures of Ardhachandra Hasta.


Asamyuktha Hastas
“prasthhAnam mandahAsaScha kimSabdanjchabi-kutsanam asamyukthArddha chandrakhyA SchatwAraH sasmrithAH karAH”

Single Hand Gestures
Preparation of a journey, Smile, Insult, Asking what – These are the 4 single hand gestures of Ardhachandra Hasta.
13

Mukuram



Samyuktha Hastas
“damshtro viyOgO jamghAcha nithambo vEda-sOdarou sthambhaSchOlookhalam vEgee piSAchaH pushTirithyapi EkAdiSa samAdiSTA samyukthamukurAH karaH”




Double Hand Gestures
Large Canine Tooth, Loneliness, Calf of the leg, Half the place, The Vedas, Siblings, Pillar, Mortar for pounding grain, One who is fast, Devil, Nourishment – These are the 11 Double Hand Gestures of Mukura Hasta.


Asamyuktha Hastas
“vimatho bhramaro rashamiH kOpa-ssushThu cha kanKaNam sreevAmgadam nishedhO peethruyukthA mukurAnavaH”


Single Hand Gestures
Enemy, Bee, Ray of light,Rage, Showing Good, Bangle, Neck, Shoulder Band, Denial –These are the 9 Single Hand Gestures of Mukura Hasta.
14

Bhramara




Samyuktha Hastas
“garul gAnam jalam chhathram danthi kaRNou maneeshibhiH bhramarAkhyasthu samyukta hastA pancha smreerithaH”


Double Hand Gestures
Wings, Song, Water, Umbrella, Elephants ears – These are the 5 Double Hand Gestures of Bhramara Hasta.


Asamyuktha Hastas
“gandharvo-janma-bheethiScha-rOdanam nAtyakovidhaihi bhramarAkhyAsthwa samyukthA SchwAra wsamudeerithAH”



Single Hand Gestures
Gandharvas(mythological characters-messengers between Gods and Humans), Creation, Fear, Cry – These are the 4 Single Hand Gestures of Bhramara Hasta.
15

Soochikamukha



Samyuktha Hastas
“bhinna-mul-pathanam lOkO-lakshmaNa-thapA-manyathaH mAsO bhrashi-thhilam vAloyuktha soochimukhAdashaH




Double Hand Gestures
Quarrel, Upwards, To jump, World, Lakshmana (Lord Ram’s brother), Fall, To show another, Month, Eyebrows, Break, Tail – These are 11 Double Hand Gestures of Soochikamukha. 

Asamyuktha Hastas
“EkaH kashtam jaDO-nyaScha bahookthi SravaNaH-kalAH purAya mEthe rAjyaScha kinjchil sAkshi nirAsanam AgaScha gachchha yuddhAya soocheemukha karAsmruthaha shODa Saivahi nAtyajainja rasamyukthAmaneeshibhiH


Single Hand Gestures
Showing someone, Trouble, Corpse, Stranger, Plural, To listen, Crescent Moon, Showing Earlier, Showing me, showing you, Kingdom, Showing little, Witness, To refuse, Come, To Go – These are the 16 Single Hand Gestures of Soochikamukha Hasta.
16

Pallava





Samyuktha Hastas
“vajram paRvathaSrunganjcha gokarNNou nEthra deerghimA mahishaH parighaH prAso janthu vEshTaNam samyuktha pallavAkhyAsthu karAh nava udeerithAH”


Double Hand Gestures
Indra’s weapon , Peak, Ear of a cow, Length of an eye, Buffalo, Pestle, Spear, Horn of animals, Turn – These are the 9 Double Hand Gestures of Pallava Hasta.

Asamyuktha Hastas
dooram paNanjcha dhoomaScha puchchham vEthranjcha-SAlayaH ayuktha pallAvAkhyasthu hastAshaL samudeerithaH”


Single Hand Gestures
Distance, Debt, Smoke, Tail, Broom, Grains/Pulses – These are the 6 Single Hand Gestures of Pallava Hasta.
17

Tripathaka




Samyuktha Hastas
“asthAma-adi-raye pAnam Sareeram yAchanam budhaiH shaDaithe thripathakAkhyA samyukthA samsmrithAkAraH”


Double Hand Gestures
Sunset, First or Commencement, a term for addressing subordinates or friends, Drink, Body - These are the 5 Double Hand Gestures of Tripathaka Hasta.
18

Mrigashirsha







Samyuktha Hastas

samyuktha Eva hastOyam mrigEcha paramAthmani”





Double Hand Gestures

Animal, Supreme being - These are the 2 Double Hand Gestures of Mrigashirsha Hasta.
19

Sarpashiras





Samyuktha Hastas
“chandanam bhujago mAndya-marghyam vikiraNam muniH danthikarNNa vidhunaScha rakshAsamvAhanam thathha navahasthAsthu samyukthA sarppaSeershEsameerithaH”


Double Hand Gestures
Sandal, Serpent, Being careful, Value, Sow, Sage, Elephant’s ear, To save, To touch gently - These are the 9 Double Hand Gestures of Sarpashiras Hasta.

20

Vardhamanaka



Samyuktha Hastas
“sthreekuNDalam rathnamAlA jAnu yOgeecha dundubhiH ambashTOpicha dastAshaT SamyukthAvarddhamAnakAH”

Double Hand Gestures
Ladies Earrings, A Garland filled with precious stones, Knee, One with yogic power, Kettle drum, Mahout - These are the 6 Double Hand Gestures of Vardhamanaka Hasta.


Asamyuktha Hastas
“AvarththO-nAbhi-koopoucha thrayO hasthAsthwasamyukthAH”

Single Hand Gestures
Whirlpool, Lower stomach, Well - These are the 3 Single Hand Gestures of Vardhamanaka Hasta.
21

ArAla





Samyuktha Hastas
“mooDHO-vrikshaScha-keelaScha kuDmaLAScha-nKuraHkaraH arALakAsthu panjchaithe kathhithA nAtyakOvidhaiH”


Double Hand Gestures
Fool, Tree , Stump, Bud, Bamboo - These are the 5 Double Hand Gestures of ArAla Hasta
22

OornanAbha




Samyuktha Hastas
“thuramgaScha-phalam-vyAghrO navaneetham himam bahu AmbhOja
moorNNanAbhakhyAhastAsspthaiva
samyukthAH”

Double Hand Gestures
Horse, Fruit, Jackal, Butter, Snow, Showing a lot, Lotus - These are the 7 Double Hand Gestures of OornanAbha Hasta
23

Mukula






Samyuktha Hastas
“srungAlO vAnarO MlAnir vismrithiR mukuLAhvayAH chathwAra SchaivahikarA kathhithA nAtyabedhibhihi”



Double Hand Gestures
Fox, Monkey, Weariness, Forgetfulness - These are the 4 Hand Gestures of Mukula Hasta(Shown as Single & double hand gestures)
24

Katakamukha






Samyuktha Hastas
“kanjchukaH kinKiraH ShoorO mallobAna-vimOchanam banDanaScha shaDEthesyuH samyuktha katakAmukhaH”




Double Hand Gestures
Armour, Servant, Warrior, Stout, Release arrow, Box  - These are the 6 Double Hand Gestures of Katakamukha Hasta
           
These are the 24 hand gestures mentioned in the Hastalakshadeepika. As time passed, various other Mudras have been evolved by referring other books on dance but for Kathakali and Mohiniyattam ,Hastalakshanadeepika is considered as the source book for Mudras.

2 comments:

  1. As per the Hasthalakshnadeepika, said to be followed by the Mohiniyattam artists in Kerala, Katakaamukha is to be shown with the thumb between the index and the middle fingers.

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    Replies
    1. Dear Sir,

      I am first of all extremely honoured that an eminent personality like yourself have read my blog. As for the feedback, I have been taught that way by my Guru , Smt.Shyamala Surendran( Dharani School of performing Arts) who is herself the disciple of Late. Kalyanikutty Amma. I have also been going through Amma's books where the Mudra has been shown the similar way.

      Thanking you once more.
      Regards,
      Haritha Haridas

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