Thread by @WeAreBangalore

1. Pataka - Means “Flag”. Pataka is done with all fingers held straight like the stop sign. There should be no gap between the fingers. The only difference is that your thumb should be bent a little bit and all the fingers are to be held tight.

It is used to depicting clouds, forests, denial, taking oath, silence etc. and during the start of the Adavu. In Kathak, Pataka is the first hand gesture which is taught. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

2. Tripataka - Meaning “Three parts of the flag”. In this Mudra, all the fingers are held straight and close together like the stop sign except for the ring finger which is bent.

Tripataka Mudra is used to denote a crown, a tree, an arrow, a Lamp, to apply tilak. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

3. Ardhapataka - Meaning “Half Flag”. It is done by bending the little finger after doing the Tripataka. Ardhapataka is used to denote Leaves, a knife, bank of the river, an animal horn #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

4. Kartarimukha - It is done when the little finger and the ring finger is bent and pressed against the thumb. While the index finger and the Middle finger is stretched to show a scissor.

This Mudra is used to portray opposition, corner of an eye, creeper, lightning, separation. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

5. Mayura - Mayura means "Peacock". In this mudra the ring finger and the tip of the thumb touch each other while the other fingers are held straight without any gap.

This mudra depicts a peacock’s neck. It also can denote a bird, alankar (applying tilak, wearing earring or necklace). #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

6. Ardhachandra - The fingers are held straight and together, except the thumb finger which is held apart. It is just like the Pataka gesture, but the thumb finger is held straight and not bent like in Pataka.

This mudra is used to denote waning of the moon, waist, to show an area, land or earth, Elephant ears. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

7. Arala - This mudra is done when the Index finger is bent while doing the Pataka Mudra. Here the index finger is bent along with the thumb, while the other fingers are held straight. It is used to represent the action of drinking, violent wind. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

8. Shukatundaka - When the Ring finger of the Arala Mudra is bent is when we form this mudra. It represents parrot’s beak, shooting an arrow, a spear, etc. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

9. Mushti - Means "a closed fist position of the palm". When the four fingers are pressed closely against the palm, while, the thumb is held tightly between the palm and the other four fingers. The thumb can also be placed on the four fingers.

This mudra denotes to catch hold of something, to run, to depict determination or sturbbornness. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

10. Shikhara - In this mudra all the fingers are bent and pressed against the Palm except the thumb. The thumb is raised and held erect (like the thumbs-up sign). It is used to denote an armour, a bow, to say no, questioning, sound of bells, drinking. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

11. Kapitta - While doing Shikhara Mudra, bending the pointer finger and pressing it over the thumb is the Kapitta Mudra. It is used to denote Goddess Laxmi, Lord Ganesh, a lady, girl, etc. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

12. Katkamukha - Means “opening in a Bracelet”. It’s done by bringing together the index finger, middle finger and thumb. The ring finger and the little finger are raised at angles.

Katkamukha mudra is used as the basic hand position in Bharatnatyam when the hands are close to the chest, making a garland, plucking or picking flowers, to show preparing a paste of sandal or musk. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

13. Suchimukha - The middle finger, ring finger and the little finger is pressed against the thumb, while the forefinger is held straight.

This mudra is used to denote a needle, to point at something, to show the world or the universe, loneliness, threatening, inquiry etc. #Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

14. Chandrakala - Means digit of the Moon.

Release the thumb in Suchi Mudra and hold it straight (like in Shikhara gesture). It is used to denote a face, moon, the crescent on Lord Shiva’s head.

#Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

15. Padmakosha - All the fingers are stretched and slightly brought closer to form Padmakosha. It indicates fruits, a bunch of flowers, a vessel, flower bud, ball, taking meals etc.

#Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

16. Sarpashira - This Mudra is like the snakes hood. When the hand is held in Pataka Mudra and the fingers are bending from the tip to form a hollowed palm we get Sarpashira Mudra.

This Mudra is used to denote a snakes hood, to bless, sprinkling, etc.
#Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

17. Mrigashirsha - Fingers are bent from the knuckles except for the little finger and the thumb which is held straight. This Mudra is used to denote a Deer’s head, a child or a woman, to call someone, Tilak on Lord Shiva’s forehead, etc.

#Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

18. Simhamukha - When the middle finger and the ring finger press against the thumb, while the other fingers are held straight we get the Simhamukha Hasta. It literally means Lion-faced.

#Arana2019 #Kathak #Mudra

It is used to depict a deer (with an innocent expression and bounce of a deer in the feet), lion (with fierce expressions and large frightening eyes)

19. Kangula - The ring finger is bent while the other fingers are stretched out. It denotes something small like a small fruit, Bell, etc.

#Kathak #Mudra #Arana2019

20. Allapallava - Means “Fully Bloomed Lotus”. Here the fingers are held in such a manner as if to ask “why”. The little finger points up and thereafter the other fingers follow. It depicts Lotus or flower and beauty in general, a full moon, high altitudes, etc. #Mudra #Arana2019

21. Chatura - When the thumb in Mrugashisha Mudra is held at the base of the index, middle and ring finger we get the Chatura Hasta. It can be used to indicate lesser quality, to plead with somebody (for some time/an object/ some longing), eyes, proof, oil and ghee. #Arana2019

22. Brahmhara - When the Index finger in the Katkamukha Mudra, is placed in between the middle finger & the thumb, we get this mudra. The index finger can also be curled and placed. It looks like a Bee. It can be used to denote a Bee, the eyes of a monster (Asura) etc. #Arana2019

23. Hamsasya - The Thumb and the Index finger touch each other at the tips, while the other fingers are straight, separated and stretched. It means Swan’s Beak. It is used to denote tying thread, to show an auspicious occasion or festival, light a lamp, to draw a picture, etc.