Hand gestures in Indian dance
In Indian dance, each hand gesture has a symbolic value and a precise meaning.
In Sanskrit (language of ancient Hindu texts), these gestures are called mudra, which means “sign” or “seal”. Mudras were ancient seal-making instruments (rings, stamps).
Mudra
‘Mudra’ is derived from the Sanskrit word mudra, which means ‘happiness, pleasure,’ along with the word dru, which means ‘culmination,’ according to the Tantric school.
So the mudra is the posture that brings happiness, thanks to the divine powers of the mudras, which bring the person into resonance with the divine.
We use mudras to express states of mind, feelings, and intentions consciously or unconsciously in all ages, religions, and cultures.
In the caves of Ajanta and in the sculptures of Khajuraho, the oldest mudras can be found. Mudras are described in the Book of Mantras (Mantra Shastra), the Book of Invocations and Prayers (Upasana Shastra), and the Book of Classical Dances.
In their original form, mudras were sacred gestures used by yogis and priests of the Vedic period to accompany their sacred recitations. Vedism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Yoga are all associated with mudras…
In the caves of Ajanta and in the sculptures of Khajuraho, the oldest mudras can be found. Mudras are described in the Book of Mantras (Mantra Shastra), the Book of Invocations and Prayers (Upasana Shastra), and the Book of Classical Dances.
Originally, mudras are sacred gestures used by yogis and priests of the Vedic period, who are said to have accompanied their sacred recitations by these hand gestures. Mudras are associated with various spiritual practices and religions: Vedism, but also Hinduism, Buddhism and Yoga …
In Hinduism and Buddhism, mudra refers to a symbolic gesture used by priests during religious rituals, performed by holding certain postures with specific parts of the body, especially the hands. The different arm postures that can be associated with mudras are called “hastas”.
Iconographic representations (paintings, sculptures) use Mudra to express the nature and function of deities. Abhaya mudra (protection, grace), Varada mudra (fulfillment, generosity), and Gyan mudra (the gesture that specifies the argumentation or instruction) are the Buddha’s Mudras in Buddhist art.
Mudra in Yoga
An example of a mudra in yoga is Maha Mudra (the whole body is fixed) or Jnana Mudra (the hands are fixed). To treat deficiencies and diseases, mudras are used as therapy. Mudras have power because of their subtle energetic effects. Chakra mudras (energy centers along the spine) generate positive energy in a person, harmonize and balance yin and yang energies and facilitate the flow of Prana.
Ayurveda (formerly Indian medicine “science of life”) relates each finger of the hand to a chakra and to one of the five elements.
In Hinduism, agni (fire) corresponds to the thumb, vayu (air) to the index, akasha (ether) to the middle finger, prithvi (earth) to the ring finger, and jala (water) to the little finger. Right hand represents the sun, left hand represents the moon.
In classical Indian dance, mudras are single or double hand gestures that can be meaningful or simply aesthetic. They also accompany a broader physical expression (the body movements) that gives the dance its full meaning. Indian dance does not reproduce the natural movements of the body, but transforms all gestures into a new language, a technical and aesthetic system.
Even when a domestic gesture is imitated, it is performed in a stylized form and integrated into the rhythm and beauty of the dance. The dance has a ritual, supernatural and divine dimension. The gestures are marked, clearly defined and individually identifiable, but they follow a flow that appears spontaneous.
Each mudra has a large number of meanings (viniyoga), depending on the context and execution. Mudras can represent people, objects, animals or gods, but also feelings, actions or abstract concepts. The face plays a very important role: the eyes always follow the hand.
Indian dancers use 32 single hand gestures called Asamyukta Hasta (unconnected hands), which can be performed with the right hand, the left hand, or with both hands simultaneously (unconnected), as well as 24 double hand gestures called Samyukta Hasta (connected hands, each hand with the same gesture) and 68 combined hand gestures called Mishra Hasta (different gestures with each hand).
ASAMYUTA HASTA (single hand gestures) SAMYUTA HASTA (double hand gestures)
