Mudras of Indian Dance. Revital Carroll

have many more meanings and usages than others. These are traditional ways a mudra is used in Indian dance according to the ancient texts: the Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Darpana, Sri Hasta Muktavali, and others. Keep in mind, dance is a living tradition, and the various styles of Indian dance might interpret the mudras differently. Use the given applications as a starting point and allow your own creativity to guide you in applying the mudras in the ways that touch you and are relevant to your intention.

      5.Placement: Dance hand gestures are usually held at least a hand’s distance away from your body in order to facilitate connectedness in movement and grace in posture. Often, the dance gestures are held at a right angle to the arm, with the elbows lifted, arms parallel to the ground, and wrists bent. Holding the hand gestures in this manner is pleasing to the eye and arouses an unobstructed flow of creative energy to the hands and fingers. While using a mudra to convey a specific meaning, the placement of a gesture in relation to your body is critical.

      6.Origin: To provide context and greater understanding of the relationship between mudras and the larger sphere of Indian spiritual culture, we included mythological, spiritual, or energetic background information about each mudra.

      Contents

      SINGLE-HAND GESTURES

       1. Pataka Mudra Simplicity

       2. Tripataka Mudra Magnificence

       3. Ardhapataka Mudra Bliss

       4. Kartarimukha Mudra Love

       5. Mayura Mudra Pride

       6. Ardhachandra Mudra Luminosity

       7. Arala Mudra Vigor

       8. Shukatunda Mudra Ferocity

       9. Mushti Mudra Power

       10. Shikhara Mudra Enthusiasm

       11. Kapittha Mudra Shyness

       12. Katakamukha Mudra Playfulness

       13. Suchi Mudra Focus

       14. Chandrakala Mudra Receptivity

       15. Padmakosha Mudra Emergence

       16. Sarpashirsha Mudra Mysticism

       17. Mrigashirsha Mudra Femininity

       18. Simhamukha Mudra Courage

       19. Kangula Mudra Discovery

       20. Alapadma Mudra Sensuality

       21. Chatura Mudra Cleverness

       22. Bhramara Mudra Community

       23. Hamsasya Mudra Beauty

       24. Hamsapaksha Mudra Grace

       25. Samdamsha Mudra Light

       26. Mukula Mudra Transformation

       27. Tamrachuda Mudra Loyalty

       28. Trishula Mudra Intensity

      JOINT-HAND GESTURES

       1. Anjali Mudra Devotion

       2. Kapota Mudra Humility

       3. Karkata Mudra Friendship

       4. Svastika Mudra Unity

       5. Dola Mudra Style

       6. Pushpaputa Mudra Generosity

       7. Utsanga Mudra Compassion

       8. Shivalinga Mudra Masculinity

       9. Katakavardhana Mudra Majesty

       10. Kartarisvastika Mudra Strength

       11. Shakata Mudra Shadow

       12. Shankha Mudra Wisdom

       13. Chakra Mudra Awareness

       14. Samputa Mudra Potential

       15. Pasha Mudra Resilience

       16. Kilaka Mudra Romance

       17. Matsya Mudra Fluidity

       18. Kurma Mudra Longevity

       19. Varaha Mudra Wildness

       20. Garuda Mudra Vision

       21. Nagabandha Mudra Healing

       22. Khatva Mudra Kindness

       23. Bherunda Mudra Valor

       24. Avahita Mudra Elegance