Mudras are probably one of the most appealing elements regarding any Indian dance. In this post, I’m going to list the SINGLE HAND mudras, codified and regularly practiced. Welcome to Asamyukta hasta mudra Odissi 

In any Classical Indian Odissi Dance choreography, every single hand position is rigorously placed, displaying one of the mudras you can find on the list below. In this dance, mudras are constantly performed, to support the story being told, or simply as an embellishment. 

Basically, these are the two traits of the mudras: embellish the dance itself, and, as they are intensely significant, they provide meaning to our very dance. 

The meaning of the word mudra is “sealed”. Therefore, it is of extreme importance to place all your fingers in the right order, firmly together, and in the correct position. 

ASAMYUKTA HASTA MUDRA ODISSI

From the book ABHINAYA DARPANA / Pages 26 – 38 / Single Hand Mudras

• Patāka: Flag. 
• Tripatāka: Three parts of the flag. 
• Ardha-Patāka: Half flag. 
• Kartarī-Muhka: Arrow. 
• Mayura: Peacock. 
• Ardha-Candra: Half moon. 
• Arāla: Bent. 
• Sukatundaka: Parrot’s beak. 
• Musti: Fist. 
• Sikhara: Spire. 
• Kapittha: elephant – apple. 
• Kataka-mukha: Opening in a link. 
• Sūci: Needle. 
• Candra-kalā: Digit of the moon. 
• Padmakosa: Lotus bud. 
• Sarpa-sīrsa: Snake Head. 
• Mrga-sīrsa: Deer Head. 
• Simha-Mukha: Lion Face. 
• Lāngula: Tail. 
• Sola-padma: Full blown louts. 
• Catura: Four Squares. 
• Bhramara: Bee. 
• Hamsāsya: Swan Face. 
• Hamsa-paksa: Swan Feather. 
• Samdamsa: Grasping. 
• Mukula: Bud. 
• Tāmara-cuda: Red Crest. 
• Trisūla: Trident.

Would you like to practice mudras with me?

Here we go.

Please understand that those are the some (most characteristic or principal) meanings of the one handed mudras. You’ll find some more for each of them if you combine them, depending on the context or choreography.

If you have any doubts about how to use them correctly, about the positions or any other matter, do not hesitate to contact me.

Study with me, starting with the Indian Classical Dance inspired aesthetics, plus how to fuse it with oriental and contemporary techniques.

Find out more about my online program:  IndOriental® Method.