Asamyuktam Hastas Hand Gestures of the Heart

1. AsamyuktamHastasHand Gestures of the Heart Professor Artemis Preeshl South Asian Performing Arts July 4, 2012

2. AsamyutaHastasSingle-Handed Gestures • Alapadma – Blooming Lotus • Fingers splayed • Padmakosham – Partially Blooming Lotus • Straight fingers approach each other facing up • Mukulam– Lotus Bud • Straight fingers together • Katakamukham – Holding Flowers • Index and Middle finger touch the thumb • Patakam – Flag • Flat palm forward

3. AsamyutaHastasSingle-Handed Gestures • Tripatakam – Three-Parts Flag • Flat palm forward with ring finger bent • Ardhapatakam– Half Flag • Flat palm forward with Ring & Pinky fingers bent • Mayuram– Peacock • Thumb and Ring finger touch • Ardhachandran– Half Moon • Flat palm forward with Ring & Pinky fingers bent • Aralam – Drinking Poison or Nectar • Palm flat facing up with Index finger bent

4. AsamyuktaHastasSingle-Handed Gestures • Shukatudam– Parrot Head • Flat palm forward with Ring & Pinky fingers bent • Mushti– Grasping a Thunderbolt • Fist • Sikaram– Mountain Peak • Fist with Thumb pointing up • Kapitta– Milking, Holding or Offering Flowers • Index finger over Thumb with fingers bent • Kartarimukham– Scissor • Index and Middle fingers split • Ring & Pinky fingers touch Thumb

5. AsamyuktaHastasSingle-Handed Gestures • Suchi– Needle • Index finger points up • Middle, Ring and Pinky touch Thumb • Tamrachuda– Rooster Head • Index finger bent • Middle, Ring and Pinky touch Thumb • Chandrakala– Quarter Moon • Middle, Ring and Pinky bent • Index finger points forward and Thumb points up • Ardhakala– Half Moon • Flat hand forward and sideways • Thumb points up

6. AsamyuktaHastasSingle-Handed Gestures • Sirpashirsham– Cobra Hood • Index and Middle fingers split • Thumb bent and touching palm • Mrigashirsham– Cow or Deer Face • Pinky finger and Thumb point up • Index, Middle and Ring fingers point forward • Simhamukha– Lion Face • Middle and Ring fingers touch Thumb • Index and Pinky fingers point up • Kangula– Bell or Bird • Ring finger touches base of Thumb • Other fingers & Thumb approach each other and point forward

7. AsamyuktaHastasSingle-Handed Gestures • Chatura– Minerals, Difference in Quality • Thumb touches base of fingers with palm facing up • Pinky finger extended • Bhramara– Bee or Bird • Pinky finger up, Ring finger forward, Middle finger touch Thumb • Index finger threaded through & under Index finger and Thumb • Hamsasye– Swan, Scholar or Writing • Index and Thumb touch • Trishula – Idea of Three or Bilva Leaves holy to Shiva • Pinky and Thumb touch with Index, Middle & Pinky fingers splayed • Vyagraha– Tiger’s Paw • Pinky and Thumb together • Index, Middle and Ring fingers bent and forward