Discovering Asamyukta Hastas: The Beautiful Hand Signs in Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam is a special kind of dance that tells stories using movement, rhythm, and expressions. One of the most important parts of this dance is mudras, or hand gestures. These hand signs help dancers show feelings, objects, and even whole stories – just by moving their fingers and hands!
One type of mudras is called Asamyukta Hastas, which means “single-hand gestures”. These are done using one hand at a time and are very important in Bharatanatyam.
What Are Asamyukta Hastas?
The word Asamyukta means “not joined,” which tells us that these gestures are done with just one hand. They are written about in ancient Indian books like the Natya Shastra and Abhinaya Darpana, which explain how dance and acting were done long ago.
Each Asamyukta Hasta has a special meaning. Dancers use them to show animals, nature, people, feelings, and even gods!
Below is a list of Asamyukta Hastas, with some of the applications.
| Hasta Mudra | Name | Meaning | Application/Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Pataka | Flag | Beginning of a dance, Cloud, Forest, Forbidden things, Bossom, Night, River, World of the gods, Horse, Cutting, Wind, Reclining, Walking, Prowess, Graciousness, Moonlight, Strong sunlight, Knocking, Wave, Entering a street, Equality, Applying sandal paste, One's self, Taking an oath, Silence, Benediction, A good king, Palmyra leaf, Slap, Touching, Sea, Going in front, Form of a sword, Month, Year, Rainy season, Day, Sparkling water |
|
Tripataka | Three parts of the flag | Crown, Tree, Indra, Thunder (Vajra the weapon of Indra), Kethaki flower, Light, Rising flames, Cheeks, Patterns drawn on the face or body, Arrow, Turning around, Union of woman and man |
 |
Ardhapataka | Half-flag | Tender shoot, Panel for writing, Riverbank, Dagger, Knife, Flag, Tower, Horn, Saying both |
 |
Kartarimukha | Arrow shaft face | Separation of woman and man, Opposition, Overturning, Stealing, Corner of the eye, Death, Disagreement, Lightning, Sleeping alone, Falling, Creeper |
 |
Mayura | Peacock | Peacock's beak, Creeper, Sakuna (bird of omen), Vomiting, Forehead, Stroking the hair, Wiping away tears, Law, Renown |
 |
Ardhachandra | Halfmoon | Halfmoon, Hand seizing the throat, Spear, Platter, Origin, Waist, Anxiety, Meditation, Prayer, Greeting common people |
 |
Arala | Bent | Drinking poison, Drinking nectar, Acid |
 |
Sukatunda | Parrot's beak | Shooting an arrow, Throwing a spear, Mystery, Ferocity |
 |
Musti | Fist | Steadiness, Grasping the hair, Holding things, Wrestling |
 |
Sikhara | Spire | Madan, the god of love, Bow, Pillar, Silence, Husband, Tooth, Entering, Questioning, Body, Saying no, Recollection, Embrace, Lover, Sound of a bell, Pound |
 |
Kapittha | Elephant | Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Winding, Milking cows, Grasping the end of a robe, Offering incense or light |
 |
Katakamukha | Opening in a link | Picking flowers, Holding a pearl necklace, Holding a garland, Drawing a bow, Applying perfume, Speech, Glancing |
 |
Suchi | Needle | One, Parabrahma, Demonstration, One hundred, Sun, City, World, Umbrella, Capability, Beating a drum, Wheel, Circle, Explanation, Evening |
 |
Chandrakala | Crescent moon | Crescent moon |
 |
Padmakosa | Lotus bud | Fruit, Wood-apple fruit, Breast, Curve, Light flood, Bud, Mango, Cluster of flowers, Bell, Water-lily flower, Egg |
 |
Sarpasira | Snake head | Sandal paste, Snake, Slowness, Sprinkling, Cherishing, Giving water to the gods, Flapping of elephant ears |
 |
Mrgasirsa | Deer head | Women, Cheek, Tradition and manners, Fear, Discussion, House, Holding an umbrella, Stairs, Calling the beloved, Roaming |
 |
Simhamukha | Lion Face | Coral, Pearl, Fragrance, Stroking the hair, Drop of water, Salvation, Hare, Elephant, Lotus garland, Lion-face |
 |
Kangula | Tail | Citrus fruit, Breast of a young girl, White water lily, Partridge, Arecanut, Little bells |
 |
Alapadma | Full bloom lotus | Lotus in full bloom, Breast, Yearning for the beloved, Mirror, Full moon, Vessel, Village, Height, Lake, Praise, Murmuring |
 |
Chatura | A little | Musk, Gold, Copper, Wet, Sorrow, Aesthetic Emotion, Eyes, Oath, Playful Conversation, Slow stepping, Breaking to pieces, Seat, Oil, Ghee |
 |
Bhramara | Bee | Bee, Parrot, Crane, Cuckoo, Union |
 |
Hamsasya | Swan face | Marriage, Initiation, Certainty, Painting, Drop of water, Rubbing metal on a touchstone, Drawing lines, Carrying garlands, Carrying out a task |
 |
Hamsapaksa | Swan feather | Number six, Constructing a bridge, Making marks with nails, Arranging |
 |
Samdamsa | Grasping | Generosity, Sacrificial offerings, Tumor, Insect, Apprehension, Worship, Number five |
 |
Mukula | Bud | Water lily, Eating, God of love, Holding a seal, Navel, Banana flower |
 |
Tamracuda | Red crest | Cock, Crane, Camel, Calf, Writing, Drawing |
 |
Trisula | Trident | Trident, Wood apple leaf, Trio |