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Abhinaya Darpaṇam: Nṛttahastas (Dance hands (single and combined))

1100 CE - 1200 CE - by Nandikesvara

Nṛttahastas - Dance hands (single and combined)

Abhinaya Darpaṇam - Language: Telegu

Dating this work gets tough. Ghosh puts the work between 600 AD and 1247AD, using the Samgitaratnakara which is fairly well dated, as the upper bound, with the assertion that it refers to the Abhinayadarpaṇum. Mandakranta Bose, in her thesis, makes a case that these two texts are similar but it's hard to tell which refers to which. Based on the concepts in the text, and their similarities and differences to other texts, she dates it closer to 12th/13th century and I agree more with that argument.

Descriptions and Meanings

Caturaśra
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:503-505

Holding the two Katakamukha hastas before the chest is known as Caturaśra (=square) hasta.


8:503-505

This hasta is used to denote the following: churning, Jakkini natana, holding, milking, covering with cloth, wearing pearls, dragging ropes etc., tying the girdle, tying the bodice, holding flowers etc., plying the fly-whisk.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture
No verse annotation

Caturaśra (square): Kaṭaka-mukha hands are held before the chest. Patron deity Varahi.


No verse annotation

churning, Jakkini natana, holding, milking, covering with cloths, wearing pearls, dragging ropes, tying the girdle, tying the bodice, holding flowers, etc., plying the fly-whisk.

Udvṛtta
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:528-529

When one Hamsapaksha hasta is held face downwards and the other face upwards, simultaneously, it is Udwṛtta hasta.


8:528-529

This hasta is used to denote the following : modesty, simile, torment, thorns etc., sorrow, fear, consideration.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Udvṛtta (asunder): one Hamsa-paksa hand held face down-wards and one face upwards. Patron deity Vasistha.


No verse annotation

modesty, simile, torment, thorns etc., difference, consideration.

Talamukha
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:506-507

If two hands are raised face to face (not touching / at a distance) before the chest, it is Talamukha (palms facing) hasta. Its presiding deity is Vinayaka.


8:551-552

If two Pataka hastas, opposite to each other, are moving, it will be Talamukha hasta.


8:551-552

This hasta is used to denote - Bhujangasukshma natyam, Mukha natyam, union, understanding and stout objects.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Tala-mukha (palms facing): two hands raised face to face before the chest, (not touching). Patron deity Vijnaraja.


No verse annotation

embrace, stout things, a thick pillar, a sweet-sounding drum.

Viprakīrna
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:530

When Swastikamukha hasta is quickly separated, it becomes Viprakīrna hasta. Its presiding deity is Dakshinamilrti.


8:530

This hasta is used in denoting the drawing away of the end of the robe and tossing it.


8:547-548

When two Tripataka hastas join obliquely at the elbows, then it is Viprakīrṇa hasta.


8:547-548

This hasta denotes - armour, manipulation of hands / fingers, invoking a mantra, pardoning, and consideration.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition

1:181

It is used to denote a crocodile (pnakara).

The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Viprakīrna (loosed): Svastika hands quickly separated. Patron deity Daksina-murti.


No verse annotation

drawing away the end of the robe (celancala), releasing.

Arālakaṭakamukha
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:531-532

When an Arāla hasta and a Kaṭakamukha hasta are crossed, it is Arālakaṭakamukha hasta.


8:531-532

This hasta denotes offering of betel leaves, anxiety and dismay.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Arāla-kaṭaka-mukha: Arala and Kaṭaka-mukha hands held crossed. Patron deity Vamana.


No verse annotation

giving pieces of betel leaf, anxiety, dismay.

Recita
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:512-513

When the palms of two Hamsapaksha hastas face upwards and held high, it is Rēcita hasta.


8:512-513

This hasta denotes holding children and showing a painted panel and such other aspects.


8:576-577

When two Alapadma hastas are jointly extended on the sides, then it is Recita hasta.


8:576-577

This hasta is used to denote the following: Carinatana, Parswanatana, coconut tree, chattering ; it is also used at appropriate times in all the dances.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Recita: Hamsa-paksa hands face upwards, held apart. Patron deity Yaksaraja.


No verse annotation

holding children, showing a painted panel (citra-phalaka).

Ardharecita
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:535-536

When one of the two Recita hastas is held palm downwards and then both are held in recita position, it becomes Ardharēcita hasta.


8:535-536

This hasta is used to denote invitation, giving presents and concealing the actions.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Ardha-recita: two Recita hands one is held palm downwards. Patron deity Nandikesvara.


No verse annotation

invitation, giving presents, concealing actions.

Utthānavaṁcita
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:583

If two Tripataka hastas are placed on the two shoulders, then it is Utthānavaṁcita hasta.


8:583

This hasta denotes Lord Vishnu and a pillar. It is important in all types of natyas.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture
Pallava
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:555-556

If the Pataka hastas are moving at the wrists pointing downwards, then it is Pallava hasta.


8:555-556

This hasta denotes holding the bough of a tree that is bent due to heavy load of flowers and fruits and bending.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture
Nitamba
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:514-515

Two Pataka hastas face upwards, then turned over and extended from shoulders to the nitambas (-buttocks) - is considered as Nitamba hasta. Its patron deity is Agastya.


8:514-515

Nitamba hasta denotes the following. weariness, descent or entry, astonishment, ecstasy and such other aspects.


8:557-558

If two Pataka hastas are moved from the shoulders up to the hips on respective sides, it is Nitaṁba hasta.


8:557-558

This hasta is used to denote the halos round the Sun and the Moon, beauty of limbs, compound wall, the aharya of devatas, movement and beauty of the sides.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Nitamba (buttock): Pataka hands face upwards, turned over, (extended from) the shoulder to the buttocks. Patron deity Agastya.


No verse annotation

weariness, descent or entry (avatarana), astonishment, ecstasy, etc.

Keśabandha
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:537

when two Pataka hastas are held as if binding the hair, it becomes Keśabandha hasta. Its patron deity is Durga.


8:537

it denotes diamond studded pillar, binding the hair, cheek etc.


8:559-560

When two Pataka hastas are moved from the hips up to the hair, then it is Kēśabandha hasta.


8:559-560

This hasta is used to denote - two tall trees, excess, Meru mountain, plenty and saying 'stand up'.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Keśa-bandha (tying the hair): Pataka hands binding the hair. Patron deity Durga.


No verse annotation

gem-pillar, binding the hair, cheek etc.

Latā
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:516-517

If two Pataka hastas are held like a swing, it is Latā (creeper) hasta. Its patron deity is Sakti.


8:516-517

Latā hasta denotes the following : motionlessness, heavy with drink, beginning the dance called Swabhava natana, lines and yoga state.


8:561-563

When two Alapadma hastas, bent at the ends, are moving, then it is Latā hasta.


8:561-563

This hasta is used to denote the following: Bhramara- natya, shaking bud in the wind, creeper full of flowers, shaking of the cluster of flowers and boque (useful for playing as a ball).

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Latā (creeper): Pataka hands held like a swing. Patron deity Sakti.


No verse annotation

being heavy with drink, beginning (the dance called) svabhava natana, lines, state of union (yoga-condition), etc.

Pakṣavañcita
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara
8:518

If two Tripataka hastas are placed - one on the waist and the other on the head - it becomes Pakṣavañcita (bent wing) hasta ; its patron deity is Arjuna.


8:518

This hasta is used to denote the movement of thighs and in showing difference.


8:579-580

If two Ardhacandra hastas are placed on the waist, it is Pakṣavaṁcita hasta.


8:579-580

This hasta denotes the wings of birds, rasana, and hip.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture
No verse annotation

Pakṣa-vañcita (bent wing): Tripataka hands are placed upon the hips. Patron deity Arjuna.


No verse annotation

movement of the thighs, difference.

Pakṣapradyota
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:519-520

If the Pakṣavañcita hastas face upwards, it becomes Pakṣapradyota (=shining wings) hasta , its patron deity is Siddha.


8:519-520

This hasta is used to denote the following: despondency, loss of wits, unexpected happening, Varaha avatara, kunda-abhinayam etc.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture
No verse annotation

Pakṣa-pradyota (shining wing): Pakṣa-vancita hands face upwards. Patron deity Siddha.


No verse annotation

despondence, loss of wits, strangeness, magic boar, pot gesture (kumbhabhinaya).

Muṣṭisvastika
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:538-539

When two Musṭi hastas are crossed on the stomack, it is Musṭiswastika hasta. Its presiding deity is Kimpurusha.


8:538-539

This hasta is used to denote playing the ball (made of flowers etc.) boxing, great bashfulness and tying the girdle.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Muṣṭi-svastika (crossed fists): Musti hands are crossed on the stomach Patron deity Kimpurusa.


No verse annotation

playing ball, boxing, great bashfulness, tying the girdle.

Nalinīpadmakośa
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:540-541

If two Padmakosa hastas are turned outward and crossed, it becomes Nalinīpadmakōśa hasta. Its patron deity is Sesha.


8:540-541

This hasta denotes nagabandha, buds, making equal distribution, cluster of flowers, the number ten, gandabherunda bird.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Nalinī-padmakośa: Padmakosa hands are outward-turned and crossed. Patron deity Sesa.


No verse annotation

naga-bandha, buds, making equal distribution, cluster of flowers, the number ten, Ganda-bherunda.

Ulbaṇa
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:544

If two Alapallava hastas are held close to the eyes, it is Ulbaṇa hasta. Its presiding deity is Vighriesa.


8:544

This hasta is used to denote clusters of flowers and wide open (or large) eyes.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Ulbaṇa (abundance): the same hands (Alapadma) held close to the eyes. Patron deity Vijnesa.


No verse annotation

large clusters of flowers, eyes.

Lālita
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:545-546

When two Allapallava hastas are crossed near the head, then it is Lalita hasta.


8:545-546

This hasta is used to denote sala tree, fort and mountain.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

No verse annotation

Lālila: the same hands (Alapadma) crossed near the head. Patron deity Vaisnavi.


No verse annotation

sal-tree, mountain.

Sūcyāsya
Abhinaya Darpanam, An Illustrated Translation
Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeswara

8:533-534

When two Sūcimukha hastas are moved aside from the front simultaneously, it will be Sūcyāsya hasta.


8:533-534

This hasta denotes saying 'what am I to do'?, yearning for the beloved, saying 'everything' and 'look here'.

Nandikeśvara's Abhinaya Darpaṇam, 3rd edition
The Mirror of Gesture

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