Indian dancing

THE LANGUAGE OF GESTURES

The conventional Natataja pose described in the first chapter shows Shiva’s lower tight hand in the pataka gesture held upright in benediction. In the Kathakali representation of an elephant, the right hand in the pafaka gestute, held above the head, simulates the flapping of the beast’s ear, while the left hand in the same gesture with the palm turned inward and near the waist, suggests the elephant’s trunk. This will show what vastly different meanings the same mudra may assume with alteration in position and movement.

Group II

The basic sign of this group is the Mus#/, or fist, in which all the fingets are folded, with the thumb resting on the back of them, as depicted in the bottom left-hand photograph on page go.

1. Musti Hasta (Fist)

2. Sikhara Hasta (Spire)

3. Kataka Hasta (Crab)

4. Kapittha Hasta (Wood-apple)

5. Chandra-kala Hasta (Digit of the moon)

6. Suchi Hasta (Needle)

7. Tamara-kuda Hasta (Cock’s comb)

8. Kataka-mukha Hasta (Crab-face)

Examples: Again let us take the basic sign of this group to indicate how the gestute may be used. The usti hasta may imply a wrathful mood; gtipping of the hair; holding reins; or carrying a shield.

A warrior on a battlefield may be shown with his right hand folded in the musti gesture and shaken vigorously to indicate his anger against the foe and a threat of revenge. Again, if both the hands assume the same gesture neat the waist, they indicate a driver holding the reins of a horse. Once again, it is the position of the hands which changes the meaning.

Group HI The padmakosa hasta is the basic sign of this group. It consists of a hollowed palm with fingers slightly apart and cupped. The remaining gestures in the group are variations.

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