Bharata Natyam
Elizabeth Kelly
Alapallava (Utpalapadma)
Asaṃyuta Hasta - Single Hand Gestures
Descriptions and Meanings
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9
9
Alapallava: (In the list it is mentioned as Utpalapadma, but while explaining, it is called Alapallava). In this mudra all the fingers are raised and stretched backwards.
Meaning:
9:
9:
This is to suggest pro¬hibiting or asking ‘who are you’?, etc.
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9:90
9:90
The fingers are separated from one another and are kept turned towards the palm in a circular way. This is called Alapadmaka or Alapallava.
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9:91:
9:91:
It is employed by artistes to indicate prevention, a woman’s boasting about herself and such senses as “who are you?" “It is not”, “Absurd” etc.
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9:90
9:90
Alapallava (Alapadmaka)—all fingers turned towards the palm, standing on its side and separated from one another.
Meaning:
9:91:
9:91:
It is to be used for indicating prevention, words like “Of whom are you,” “It is not,” “nonsense” and a woman’s allusion to herself.
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According to another book: it is the Ala-pallava hand when there is turning. It originates from Sri Krishna, when he was stealing butter and milk. Its sage is Vasanta, its race Gandharva, its colour dusky, its patron deity the Sun.
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fresh ghi, yearning for the beloved, head, sweetmeat, full-blown lotus, cluster of flowers, crown, ball, praises, beauty of form, dancing (nartana), fort, palace, braided hair, moon-pavilion, sweetness, saying “Sadhu”, palmyra fruit.
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7:376-379
7:376-379
When the hand is in vyāvịtta (i.e. fingers separated and bent slightly sideways) position, it becomes Alapallava hasta (Ala-pallava = shaking twig).
Meaning:
7:376-379:
7:376-379:
Alapallava hasta is used to denote the following: fresh butter or ghee, yearning for the beloved, head; sweet stuff, full-blown lotus, cluster of flowers, crown, circle or roundness, praise, beauty of form, dancing, fort, palace, braided hair, moon pavilion, sweetness, saying 'sādhu', and palmyra fruit.
Avahittha
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2:168
2:168
With the little finger taking the lead, the fingers are curled inwards, one following the other, forming the alapallava hasta.
Meaning:
2:169:
2:169:
It is used in questioning, “whom do you belong to”, “does not exist”, “don’t”, etc, meaningless talk and boasting of women. Since it is like the shaking lotus, it is also called alapadma.
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7:94
7:94
If all fingers [and thumb] are separate and palm turned sideways, it is alapallava.
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3:386-387
3:386-387
It is known as alapallava when the fingers are moved side-ways out of the palm in the vyavartita or parivartita karana movement of the hands. This is also known as alapadma in a karana.
Meaning:
3:386-387:
3:386-387:
It is used to express 'Who do you belong to?' 'This is not here' or in negation. It is used by women to express only what is despicable, inappropriate and false.