SangeetKalaKendraKolkata

The hands of famous emperous are specifically mentioned in Abhinaya Darpana. Name of the King Hand Gesture Dharmarāja hands waved near the arms Raghu  and  Aja Ardha-patāka hands as aforesaid are used respectively right and left Rāvaṇa the same hands with widely separated fingers, feathered. For the Lords of the Earth  Mandhātā  and  Marutvān,   Mukula, Sūci and Muṣṭi hands and the Ardha-patāka twisted upwards touching the body, these four hands are used in order. Daśaratha Ardha-patāka hands crossed Rama Śikhara hand, and also for other kings who bear the bow Bharata,   Śikhara hand held on the right shoulder Lakṣmaṇa,  . the same on the left shoulder Satrughna the same on the face. If these are done with the left hand on the left shoulder, it indicates those of the Lunar race.

Moving upwards and downwards indicates a river for any river, we use the Patāka Hasta. I shall expound the right fashion of those hands that indicate Gaṅga etc in accordance with their special virtues. Rivers Mudra Ganga Tamrachuda Yamuna Rekha Krishna Simhamukham Kavery Cahtura Saraswati Bana Vetravati Suchi KandaBhaga Chenab Sarayu, Padma, Bhagirathi Arala SuvarnaMukhi Ardhachatura Papanasini Sukhatantu The seven Oceans are Lavaṇa Mukula hands moved upwards and downwards Dadhi Tripatāka hands in the same manner. Sarpi Catura (hands in the same manner) Sūra Saṅkīrṇa and Patāka hands in the same manner Ikṣu Alapadma hands in the same way Suddhodaka  (Jala) Patāka hands held just as before Kṣīra Sarpa-śīrṣa hands in the same manner Introduction Chatur Slokam --- BharatNatyam for Kids Make Up,

Bandhava Hasta means the hand gestures that reflects the relationship. These are very important for dance compositions. These are also known as Bandhu Hastas. As per Abhinaya Darpana There are 11 Bandhava Hastas. They are as follow   Dampati Hasta   : It means married couples.This is denoted with Shikhara in left and Mrigashisya in right hand.  Matru :  Matru or mother is depicted by holding Ardhachandra in left hand near stomach(turned over) and Samdamsam in right hand. Pitru : Pitru or father is depicted by holding Ardhachandra held near stomach in the left hand and Shikhara in the right hand Sodra : Sodara means Brother. Elder brother is depicted by Myura is both the hands in front of the belly. Younger brother is shown by Mayura hands on both the sides. Putra : Putra or Son is depicted by Shikhara in left and Samdam in right held near the belly and then moved in a circular way. Snusha : Means Daughter -in - law and is depicted by showing Putra hasta and then Mrigashi

Next in the series comes the Nava Graha Hastas.  Navagraha   is a combination of two words,   Nav   meaning nine and   Graha   meaning planet. As per ancient Hindu texts there are nine planets -    Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Shurkra, Shani, Rahu   and   Ketu . Modern science do not agree to this. However as a student of Indian Classical dance we need to understand and learn the NavaGraha Hastas. Name of the Graha English Name Left Hand Right Hand Surya Sun Alapadma Hasta Kapitha Hasta Chandra Moon Alapadma Hasta Pataka Hasta Kuja\Mangala\Angaraka Mars Suchi Hasta Mushti Hasta Budha  Mercury Mushti Hasta, Pataka Hasta horizontally Bruhaspati or Guru Jupiter Shikhara Hasta Shikhara Hasta, both hands held like showing the sacred thread. Shukra  Venus Mushti Hasta MushtiHasta upsidedown Shani Sat