kuchipudi

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is one of six classical dance styles of India. Kuchipudi is one of the eight major Indian classical dances. It originates from a village named Kuchipudi in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kuchipudi is a dance-drama performance, with its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra. The popularity of Kuchipudi has grown within India, and it is performed worldwide.
Traditional compositions that have been internationally performed by Kuchipudi artists, particularly among Telugu diaspora communities, include Srinivasa Kalyanam, Rukmini Kalyanam, Sakuntalam, Bhamakalpam.

There are 3 types of hand gestures

1) Asamyuta Hasta – Single Hand Gestures.

2) Samyuta Hasta – Double Hand (Combined) Gestures.

3) Nritta Hasta – Hands Used In Dance.

names and pictures of asamyuta hastas

Pataka

The fingers prolonged and closed towards every one another, and the thumb bent.
Origin: It is the first of all arms originating from the Creator – Lord Brahma when He went to Parab-rahmā, and saluted him with the cry of “Victory!” he held his hand like a flag.

Tripataka

The 1/3 finger of the Pataka hand is bent.
Origin: When Lord Indra held his weapon, the Vajra, he used three components of the Pataka – flag hand except for the 0.33 finger.

Ardhapataka

When the little finger of the Tripataka hand is bent down, it is known as Ardhapataka

Kartarimukha

Origin: When Lord Shiva set out to slay the demon Jaladhara, he drew a circle spherical the center of the earth with his forefinger.

Mayura

When the ring finger of the Kartarimukha hand is joined to the thumb, different fingers are extended.

Ardhachandra

Origin: To fulfill Lord Shiva’s want for ornaments, the moon took the form of a flower and appeared as the half-moon as Shiva’s ornament.

Arala

The forefinger is curved like a bow. The thumb is additionally curved and the last fingers separated and became upwards.
Origin: Lord Indra directed Arjuna to slay the demons Nivatakavacha, Kalakeya, and others who had been wreaking havoc in the heavens. Some of these demons hid in the ocean and thus, there was once no way of discovering them. To his useful resource got here the extremely good Sage Agastya who used this gesture in ingesting the seven seas and exposing the demons.

Shukatunda

The ring finger (third finger) of the Arala hand is bent.
Origin: Goddess Parvati is acknowledged to use it in lover’s quarrel with her consort, Lord Shiva.

Mushti

Fingers have their ends bent into the palm and the thumb is set upon them.
Origin: Lord Vishnu used this gesture whilst hostilities the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.

Shikhara

While in the Mushti hasta, the thumb is raised.
Origin: When Lord Shiva (Chandrashekhara) held the mountain Meru in the center the usage of it as his bow.

Kapittha

The forefinger of the Shikhara hand to be bent and pressed via the thumb
Origin: During the churning of the ocean for nectar, Lord Vishnu used this hand to pull the Mountain Mandara (that served as the pivot for the churning).

Katakamukha

Origin: When Guha acquired coaching in archery by using Lord Shiva, this hand used to be used. Another treatise states that when Parshuram used to be steered by using Shiva, this hand used to be used.

Suchimukha or Suchi

The fore-finger of the Katakamukha hand to be stretched
Origin: When Lord Brahma stated ‘I am the One’

Chandrakala

Wherein the Suchi hand after releasing the thumb

Padmakosha

The fingers inclusive of the thumb to be separated and their ends to bend, however no longer to meet one another.
Origin: Lord Vishnu (Narayana) used this hand whilst worshipping Lord Shiva with lotus plant life to achieve the discus.

Sarpashirsha

The fingers which include the thumb to are shut to one another and the palm to be hollowed.
Origin: When Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu promised safety to the Gods in opposition to the evil King Bali, he used this hand.