Bharatanatyam Hastas

Learning Objectives

In this training, you will be able to...

• Define Hastas

• Explain how Hastas are significant in Bharatanatyam

• List and describe the first ten Hastas

• Explain the uses for the first ten Hastas

What is Bharatanatyam?

• Bharatanatyam is an Indian Classical Dance that originated in South India called Tamil Nadu.

• This dance form is linked to the ancient Sanskrit text of the performing arts, the Natya Shastra, which was written in 200 BCE and is said to have been performed by Lord Shiva.

• It was later used by Devadasis, or female dancers, to tell stories of Hindu gods and goddessess at Hindu temples and palaces.

• This dance form is a combination of the following Sanskrit words:

• BHAva : Expression

• RAga : Music

• TAalam : Rhythm

• NATYAM : Dance

What are Hastas?

• Also known as Mudhras

• Hastas are hand gestures that are used to describe outer events or things

Pathaka

Action

• Thumb is halfway down
• Index, Middle, Ring, and Pinky finger are straight up

Meaning: Flag

Uses

• Flag
• Nature: water (river), leaves
• Mirror

Thripathaka

Action

• Thumb is halfway down
• Ring finger is halfway down
• Index, Middle, and Pinky fingers are straight up

Meaning: Three parts of a flag

Uses

• Lamp
• Crown

Ardhapathaka

Action

• Thumb is halfway down
• Ring finger is halfway down
• Pinky finger is halfway down
• Index and Middle fingers are straight up

Meaning: Half flag

Uses

• "Both" things or people
• Animal tusk
• Ears of an elephant

Kathrimukham

Action

• Ring and Pinky finger pushed against the thumb
• Index finger straight up
• Middle finger between Index and Ring fingers

Meaning: No meaning

Uses

• Eyes

Mayuram

Action

• Index and Middle fingers straight up
• Ring finger halfway resting on the Thumb
• Pinky finger straight up

Meaning: No meaning

Uses

• Bird

Ardhachandran

Action

• Index, Middle, Ring, and Pink pointing up and together
• Thumb is separate from the rest of the fingers

Meaning: Half moon

Uses

• Men's standing pose
• Waist

Aaralam

Action

• Index, Middle, Ring, and Pinky fingers pointing up and together
• Thumb is separate from the rest of the fingers

Meaning: Bent

Uses

• Braiding of hair
• Putting on makeup

Shukhathundam

Action

• Thumb, Index and Ring fingers are halfway down
• Middle and Pinky fingers pointing up

Meaning: Parrot's beak

Uses

• Spear
• Bow and arrow

Mushti

Action

• Index, Middle, Ring, and Pinky fingers inside the palm
• Thumb is over the four fingers

Meaning: Fist

Uses

• To fight
• Show Strength

Shikharam

Action

• Index, Middle, Ring, and Pink fingers inside the palm
• Thumb pointing top

Meaning: Peak

Uses

• Drinking
• Peace

Recap

• Along with using eyes for expression and feet for rhythm, hands are used to describe events or things.

• Bharatanatyam is an Indian Classical Dance that is used to tell stories of Hindu deities.

• The first 10 hastas are:

Mayuram

Pathaka

Kathrimukham

Ardhapathaka

Tripathaka

Aaralam

Shikharam

Shukhathundam

Ardhachandran

Mushti

Learning Outcomes

You should now be able to...

• Define Hastas

• Explain the significance of Hastas in Bharatanatyam

• List and describe the first ten Hastas

• Explain the uses of the first ten Hastas