Head, Eyes, Neck, Hand Gestures in Bharata Natyam
Head
Gestures - 9
Sama - level
Udvaahita - raised up
Adhomukha - down-cast face
Aalolita - rolling
Dhuta - shaken sideways
Kampita - nodded
Paraavrtta - turned round
Utksipta - thrown up
parivaahita - widely moved
Eyes
- 8
Sama - level
Aalokita - keen glance
Saaci - side long
Pralokita - wide glance
Nimilita - closed
Ullokita - looking up
Anuvrtta - quickly up & down
Avalokita - looking down
Neck
- 4
Sundari - to & fro horizontally
Tirascinaa - upward movement on
both sides
Parivartitaa - right to left like
half moon
Prakampitaa - backward & forwad
movement
Hands
Single-hand
gestures - 28
Pataaka - flag
Tripataaka- a flag with three
Ardhapataaka - half-flag
Kartarimukha
Mayura - peacock
Ardhacandra - half moon
Araala - bent
Sukatunda - parrot's head
Musti - fist
Sikhara - peak
Kapittha - elephant-apple
Katakaamukha - opening in a bracelet
Suci
Candrakalaa - digit of the moon
Padmakosa - lotus bud
Sarpasiras - snake hood
Mrgasirsa - deer head
Simhamukha - lion face
Kaangula
Alapadma
Catura
Bhramara - bee
Hamsaasya - swan beak
Hamsapaksa - swan wing
Sandamsa - pincers
Mukula - blossom
Taamracuda - cock
Trisula - Trident
More Gestures mentioned in some
texts
(Vyaghra-tiger, Ardhasuci, Kataka,
Palli, Urnanaabha, Baana)
Combined hands
gestures - 23
Anjali
Kapota
Karkata
Svastika
Dolaa
Puspaputa
Utsanga
Sivalinga
Katakaavardhana
Kartaisvastika
Sakata
Sankha
Cakra
Samputa
Paasa
Kilaka
Matsya
Kurma
Varaha
Garuda
Nagabandha
Khatva
Bherunda
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