Hasta Mudra (Hand Gestures) Part 1 Asamyukta Mudra

Hand gestures in dance is called Mudra. These are also known as Hasta or Hasta Mudra. Mudra or these hand gestures are the alphabets of dance. each and every mudra denotes specific meaning. With proper usage of these mudra one can narrate stories. Now with two hands there are two types of hand gestures. They are --- Asamyukta Mudra and Samyukta Mudra

Asamyukta Mudra : These are the one hand gestures. When the mudra is performed with only one hand, its called Asamyukta Mudra. There are 28 Asamyukta hasta as per Natya Shastra. These can further be divided into 3 broad groups. they are illustrated below.

Pataka : This is the first Asamyukta hasta. All the four fingers (except the thumb) are stretched and placed straight together. The thumb is bent. Pataka is used for showing Flag, Blade, Sword, Blessing, Road etc.
Tripitaka : While doing Pataka if one bends the ring finger, we get Tripataka. This is used for depicting Crown of a king, while doing Adavus, Manaha, Light of a lamp etc.
Ardhapataka : While doing Pataka if one bends both the ring finger and the little finger, one gets Ardhapataka. This is used for
Kartari Mukham : This is used for depicting Scissors, Cutting anything etc.
Mayuram : While doing pataka bend the ring finger in a way, so that it touches the thumg. This is used for depicting birds with beak. As the name suggests it is used for reflecting Peacock.
Ardhachandra : Ardhachandra is done exactly like pataka but the thumb is not bend but stretched towards other direction to form an angle between the Pointing finger and Thumb. This is used for showing Female Goddess, Moon, Cresent of Moon etc.
Arala : This is pataka with the thumb and pointing finger bent. This is used for reflecting
Sukhotandu : Bend the fourth finger in Arala Hasta to show Shukatunda Hasta. To Shoot an Arrow, Weapon, Saying Cunning things,Showing Fury Shukatunda Hasta is used.

Baanaprayoge Kuntarthe Marmoktaaugrabhavane

Shukatundakarogneyo Bharatagamavedhibhih
Mushti : Fold all the fingers in to the palm & keep the thumb on them to show Mushti Hasta(like a fist). Strength, Dragging by the Hair, Courageous, Holding Things Wrestling to show all these Mushti Hasta is used

Sthire Kachagrahe Dardhye Vastraadeenaanchadharane

Mallanaam Yudha bhavecha Mushtihastoyamuchyate

Shikara : Stretch the thumb finger in Mushti Hasta to show Shikhara Hasta. Cupid, Bow, Piller, Silence, Offerings to the dead ancestors Lips, Enterung, Teeth, Questioning Limbs, saying 'NO', Recollection, At he end of an expression Tieing around the waist, Hugging Weapon names Shakti, Weapon called Tomara, Ringing the Bell, Churning Shikhara Hasta is used

Madane Karmukhe Sthambe Nishabdhe Pitrutarpane Oshte Pravishtaroopecha Rad

ane Prashnabhavane Ange Naasteetivachane Smarane Abinayaantare

Katibandhakarshanecha Parirambhavidhoudhave Shaktitomarayo

rmokshe Ghantanadecha Peshane Shikharo Yujyatesoyam Bharatagamavedhibhihi

Kapittam
Katakamukham
Soochi
Chandrakal
Padmokosha
Sarpashisya
Mrigashisya
Singhamukhm
Kangual

Alapadma
Chaturam
Bhromaram
Hamsasya
Hamsapakshya
Samdamsam
Mukulam
Tramrochura
Trisulam

Do note that the above 28 mudras as mentioned in Natya Shastra. Along with these quite a few mudras have come into exsistance. These new mudras are quite extensively used in dance compositions even today. Few of these new mudras are illustrated below.

Urṇa-nābha (spider): the fingers of the Padmakośa hand are bent. It originates from Narasiṃha when he was tearing the body of the Daitya (Hiraṇyakaśipu). Its sage is Sārdulaka, its race Kṣattriya, its colour blood-red, its patron deity the Primal Tortoise (Kurmāvatāra of Viṣṇu). Usage: scratching the head, theft, Narasiṃha, face of a deer, lion, monkey, tortoise, karṇikara, breast, fear, Kṣattriya caste, blood-red colour.
Bāṇa (arrow): the three fingers joined just touch the thumb, and the little finger is extended. Usage: the number six, Nāla-nṛtya.
Ardha-sūcika (half-needle): the forefinger of the Kapittha hand is raised. Usage: sprout, young bird, etc., large insect.

Another interesting division of hasta mudras are illustrated below. This division of the Asamyukta Hastas is very important to understand.