Indian dancing

THE LANGUAGE OF GESTURES

SAMYUKTA, OR DOUBLE-HAND GESTURES: Double-hand gestures ate, in some cases, a combination of single-hand madras, while in others they ate entirely new symbols. The Natya Shastra describes only thirteen double-hand gestures and the Abbinaya Darpanam tefers to twenty-three. The number has since increased. Here are twenty-three such gestures.

ir . Swastika Hasta (Cross)

. Kapota Hasta (Dove)

. Dola Hasta (Swing)

. Karkata Hasta (Crab)

. Puspaputa Hasta (Flower basket)

. Shivalinga Hasta (Phallus)

. Katakavardhana Hasta (Mating)

. Utsanga Hasta (Embrace)

. Kartariswastika Hasta (Crossed scissors) . Sankha Hasta (Conch)

. Sakhata Hasta (Car)

. Samputa Hasta (Casket)

. Chakra Hasta (Disc)

. Pasa Hasta (Noose)

. Matsya Hasta (Fish)

. Kilala Hasta (Link)

. Kurma Hasta (Tottoise)

. Garuda Hasta (Eagle)

. Varaha Hasta (Boat)

. Bherunda Hasta (A pair of birds)

. Nagabhandha Hasta (A pait of serpents) . Khatva Hasta (Cot)

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Anjali Hasta (Hands joined)

Examples:

A few examples will illustrate the use of double-hand gestures: (a) When the dancer joins his hands in the avjali samyukta opposite the breast it denotes salutation to a Brahmin. The same gesture near the face indicates respect paid to a guru, or master. If the hands are thus poised near the head, the action implies invocation of the gods.

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