Author: Ram Krishnamani Date: January 8, 2025
Narrated by Shantha Lakshmi
Overview
Chapter 15 of Shall We Dance explores the profound significance of Hasta Mudras in Bharatanatyam, emphasizing their role as the soul of the dance form. These intricate hand gestures serve as a unique language, enabling dancers to narrate stories, convey emotions, and symbolize concepts with precision and elegance. Shantha beautifully illustrates how Hasta Mudras transform Bharatanatyam into a medium of visual storytelling, bridging movement with meaning.
The Language of Mudras
Hasta Mudras are described as the unspoken vocabulary of Bharatanatyam, where every gesture is imbued with symbolic meaning. Dancers use mudras to represent a wide range of elements, from deities and nature to abstract ideas and human emotions. Shantha often compares the use of mudras to painting vivid pictures in the air, immersing the audience in the narrative and creating a dynamic connection between performer and viewer.
These gestures transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, making Bharatanatyam a universally expressive art form. Shantha emphasizes that, without mudras, Bharatanatyam would lose its ability to communicate, as these gestures provide the essential voice of the dance.
Categories of Hasta Mudras
The chapter provides a detailed explanation of the two primary categories of Hasta Mudras as codified in the Natya Shastra:
- Asamyuta Hastas (Single-Hand Gestures):
These gestures involve one hand and are used to symbolize singular concepts, such as:- Pataka (flag): Often used to indicate the sky, wind, or an object.
- Ardhachandra (half-moon): Symbolizing the crescent moon or offering blessings.
- Hamsasya (swan’s beak): Representing beauty or precision.
- Samyuta Hastas (Double-Hand Gestures):
These gestures involve both hands working in unison to depict more elaborate ideas, such as:- Anjali (salutation): Representing respect or prayer.
- Shivalinga: Depicting Lord Shiva in his iconic form.
- Matsya (fish): Representing water and aquatic life.
Each mudra is meticulously codified with its purpose and meaning, providing dancers with a rich repertoire to draw from in their performances.
Mudras in Practice
The chapter elaborates on how Hasta Mudras harmonize with other aspects of Bharatanatyam:
- Eyes (Drishti): The dancer’s gaze complements the mudras, directing the audience’s attention and adding depth to the gesture.
- Breath (Prana): Controlled breathing enhances the fluidity and energy of the gestures.
- Expressions (Abhinaya): The facial expressions bring the mudras to life, conveying emotions and intensifying the narrative.
Shantha explains that this synchronization of mudras with the dancer’s entire being creates Rasa, the emotional essence that allows the audience to experience joy, wonder, or devotion.
Symbolism and Storytelling
The chapter delves into the symbolic power of mudras in conveying complex narratives. For instance:
- Mudras like Tripataka and Katakamukha are used to depict warriors or heroic actions in mythological epics.
- Gestures such as Alapadma (flower) symbolize beauty and grace in romantic or devotional contexts.
- Kartari Mukha (scissors) can indicate separation or conflict, adding tension to dramatic sequences.
Shantha illustrates how these gestures, when paired with expressive storytelling, create a rich tapestry of meaning that transports the audience into the mythological and spiritual worlds Bharatanatyam often portrays.
The Divine Connection
The chapter emphasizes the divine nature of Hasta Mudras, describing them as more than tools of expression—they are acts of devotion. In Bharatanatyam, every gesture is an offering to the divine, embodying the dancer’s spiritual connection to the universe. Shantha explains that this sacred element is what makes mudras central to the spiritual essence of Bharatanatyam.
