SangeetKalaKendraKolkata

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

Deva Mudras are an integral part of learning Indian Classical dance. These mudras are taught at a very early age to the students in order to achieve fluency. Bhrama Hasta : Hindus believe Creation is not a simple task, infact it is not even a one man’s job. Bhrama is know as the Supreme creator. He is the first one of the Supreme Trinity. The entire World is his creation. His colour is considered as pale Red. His picture depicts him as a widely old man with wisdom. He hold Rosary, Lotus, Vedas and Kamandalu with his four hands. He is said to have written the 4 vedas and his vehicle is a white SWAN. His wife is Godessess Saraswati. He is said to be born from the naval of God Vishu. He is seen always in sitting position depicting the concentration that is required to create. Brahma temples are found outside India, such as in Thailand at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok. He is represented with Left hand holding the Chatura hasta (representing the 4 hands or 4 mouth or the 4 Vedas) and