Basic Bharatanatyam Hand Gestures - Part II

This post is the continuation of my previous post concerning the 28 single hand gestures that make up the vocabulary for the dance form of Bharatanatyam. This hand gestures are manly used in the story telling part belonging to the Natyasastra science (science of stage) and serve as ornaments to the rhythmic steps during a Bharatanatyam performance. This hand gestures are single since they can be used on one hand independently from the other. Let’s explore more about hand gestures and give me the opportunity to introduce you to the following ones.

	Arala (meaning "Bent") Index finger and thumb make a circle. The rest of the fingers are held straight.
	Shukatunda (meaning "Parrot's beak") Index finger and thumb make a circle (like in Arala). Ring finger is bent to the front. Middle finger and little finger are held straight.
	Mushti (meaning "fist") All fingers are clenched in the palm.
	Shikhara (meaning "spire") Thumb is pointing up and the rest of the figners are clenched in the palm.
	Kaphita (meaning "elephant apple") Little finger and ring finger are clenched in the palm. Middle finger and ring finger are pressed by thumb finger.
	Kathamukaha (meaning "opening in a link") Thumb, index finger and middle finger they all touch each other. Ring finger and little finger are pointing up.
	Suchi (meaning "needle") Index finger is simply pointing and the rest of the fingers are clenched in the palm.
	Chandrakala (meaning "digit of the moon") Index finger is pointing to the side, thumb finger is pointing up and the rest of the fingers are clenched in the palm.

I have prepared a video which contains the 'mudra shloka' (a shloka is a sanskrit word which denotes a metered and often rhymed poetic verse and/or phrase) for this eight hand gestures. This shloka also contains six other hand gestures which I introduce in a previous post.

Name of the hand gestures contained in this video: Pataka, Tripataka, Ardhapataka, Kartaramukha, Mayura, Ardhachandra, Arala, Shukatunda, Mushti, Shikara, Kaphita, Kathamukaha, Suchi, Chandrakala.

Basic Bharatanatyam Hand Gestures

The Hastabhinaya (gestures of the Hand), belongs to the Natyasastra science. The Natyasastra science deals with the rules involving theatrical performances. This science is being regarded as the science of stage. 

In this post, I would like to talk about 6 of the 28 single hand gestures that make up the vocabulary for the dance form of Bharatanatyam. These hand gestures are used in the story telling part in which they interpret the poet text with the story that is been told. They are also been used as ornaments to the rhythmic steps. 

I have decided to start with learning only 6 hand gestures on a  weekly basis so that I can have a more deep and comprehensive understanding on each of them. The following hand gestures are single because they can be used on one hand independently from the other. They can also be combined with the same gesture on the same hand, or two different gestures on each hand, depending on the situation.

	Pataka (meaning "Flag") Pakata looks like the Stop sign. It is done with all finger held straight. Remember there shouldnt be any gap in between of the fingers.
	Tripataka (meaning "three parts of Flag") Tripakata looks like pataka except for the small difference that the ring finger is bent to the front.
	Ardhapataka (meaning "half-Flag") Ardhapakata looks like pataka except for the small difference that the ring finger and little finger are both bent to the front. The rest of the fingers are held straight.
	Kartaramukha (meaning "arrow shaft face") In this one index finger and middle finger are straight rest of the fingers are closed in the palm.
	Mayura (meaning "peacock") In this one index ring finger and thumb touch each other; the rest of the fingers remain straight.
	Ardhachandra (meaning "half-moon") In this one  all fingers remain straight together and the thumb is pointing up.

I have also recorded a video. I know it sounds very 'funny'. Please don't laugh that much after hearing it (because I couldn't control myself after hearing it). I hope you enjoyed!

Bharatanatyam performed on the roadside…

Following up with my quest for Bharatanatyam I’ve been reading all possible online material and watching tons of videos. And that’s how I came across with a video which caught my attention, not only because of the wonderful dancer performing Bharatanatyam items but also because of the unusual stage in which she was performing. Please watch Alarippu performed by Jai Khalsa among other videos.

In my earlier post I introduced some facts about Bharatanatyam; I would like to recall some basics about this ‘devotional temple dance’. Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest forms of Indian classical dance and exists since over 2000 years. This art was nurtured by wonderful women called Devadasis, they offered their music and dance as a form of worship to God. 

Coming back to the topic of this post, I got pretty much inspired when I saw ‘Jai Khalsa’ doing a live performance on the roadside. I applaud her expressions and agility as a dancer and moreover I applaud her for having carried out a spiritual form of dance in such I would say ‘materialistic space’. 

‘Jai Khalsa’ dances with a high degree of devotion, she masters movement and expressions quite good and I definitely like the way she presents herself to the public. @ Jai: Keep up that confidence!

After having watched all her posted videos, I contacted Jai and bombarded her with a bulk of questions. She was very kind in sending me some songs allowing me to start practicing. However, I must confess that I am still working on how to walk with Ghunghroo **smiles**. 

During some email exchange I asked Jai whether I could write about her in one of my posts and she agreed. If you are interested in knowing more about her you can go here.

My quest for Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form which originated in Tamil Nadu (South India) and it is also the National Dance of India. 

Let me introduce you to some facts about Bharatanatyam:

• This dance was performed by Devadasis, the Temple Dancers.
• Only girls born in the caste, 'Temple Dancer Devadasis' where allowed learning and performing this sacred dance.
• Devadasis lived and died within the walls of the temple. Devadasis were wedded to God in a real sense.
• Bharatanatyam is usually accompanied by Karnatac or Carnatic music. (I have written already some posts about this type of music, if you are interested you can have a look...).
• A Bharatanatyam dancer tries to manifest the celebration of the eternal universe through the celebration of the beauty of the material body.
• During Medieval times Bharatnatyam dance declined. Devadasis were seen as servants and prostitutes.
• E. Krishna Iyer was a Lawyer in Madras and a dancer. He devoted his life to this classical dance and raised the social status of Bharatnatyam and also popularized it.
• Another contributor to the popularization of Bharatanatyam was Rukmini Devi Arundale. This young lady, born into a rich Brahmin family, was passionate about dancing. She started learning 'Ballet' under the great Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Pavlova influenced Rukmini and turned her attention to Bharatanatyam by asking 'why she was studying a foreign form of dance instead of learning the traditions of her own country'. This was a turning point in Rukmini's interest to discover the ancient Devadasi dancing art. Rukmini Devi Arundale devoted her life to the study of the Devadasi art. She founded Kalakshetra in 1936 an Academy dedicated to the preservation of South Indian Arts.

What does the name Bharatanatyam has in it?

Bharatanatyam is composed fom the following words:

Bha from Sanskrit Bhava which means emotions.

Ra from Sanskrit Raga which means melody.

Ta from Sanskrit Tala which means rhythm.

Natyam from Sanskrit Natyam which means theatrical presentation.

In short 'Theatrical presentation which involves emotions, melody and rhythm'...

In order to enhance this post, I tried to hand-made the clothes and jewellery which a Bharatanatyam dancer wears in real for a Barbie. I had a lot of fun and it was a nice challenge.

A Bharatanatyam dancer wears a traditional bridal costume and a unique set of jewellery known as "Temple Jewellery".  Dancers also wear Ghungroos (metallic bells strung together) which serve to accentuate the rhythmic aspects of the dance.

On my way to discover Bharatnatyam

In the past days I have been reading and researching on Bharatnatyam. I will be writing more about my findings in next couple of days. Just wanted to share with all readers the 'blessings' I have seeked from 'Nataraja' the greatest Cosmic Dancer, my Guru.