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Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Patāka: The thumb is bent to touch the root of the forefinger and the rest of the fingers are extended and kept close together.

This Hasta when done with the fingers together is used to depict cutting, pride, patting the arm, happiness and cutting a creeper. Patāka Hasta with the fingers separated is used to depict moving the hands through the hair, pushing, falling of flames and giving blessings. While depicting lightening and forbidding the fingers are moved and point upwards. While depicting rain and showering of flowers, the Hasta faces downwards,

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Ardhacandra: The thumb of the Ahiphana Hasta is stretched out.

When facing downwards this Hasta is used to depict sweeping, mixing and clasping the waist. When facing upwards it is used to depict surprise and the moon, ...

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Arāla: The forefinger of the Padmakōṡa Hasta is extended.

This Hasta is used to depict the act of blessing, describing, holding an umbrella or a goad and looking with astonishment,

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Ṡukatunḍa: The ring finger of the Arāla Hasta is bent.

This Hasta is used while saying 'no, casting dice or shells, expressing contempt and rebuking,

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Muṣṭi: The fingers touch the palm and the thumb is placed on them; alternately, the thumb is placed over which the fingers are closed.

This Hasta is used to depict running, beating and holding a sword or a bow. The second type is used to depict milking, wrestling and beating the sides,

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Ṡikhara: The thumb of the Muṣṭi Hasta is raised straight up.

This Hasta is used to depict ringing of bells, pressing or rubbing the body, throwing a spike or a javelin, holding a rope or reins,

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Kapittha: The forefinger of the Ṡkhara Hasta is bent and pressed by the thumb. It also projects outside a little.

This Hasta is used to depict affirmation, releasing s disc (wheel) and discharging weapons after meditating (by placing on the forehead).

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Khaṭakāmukha: The ring finger and the little finger of the Kapittha Hasta are raised and bent.

This Hasta is used to depict holding an umbrella, a fly whisk, weapons or mirror and grasping the hair and the noose,

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Sūcimukha The forefinger of the Musti Hasta is extended. This Hasta is of three types: bent (vakra), shaking (kampra) and stretched (prasarita).

To depict using weapons and forbidding Vakra Sūcimukha is used. To depict directing and threatening Prasarita Sucimukha is used. To depict earring, turning of a wheel, good words and swinging Kampra Sucimukha is used.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Padmakōṡa: All fingers including the thumb are bent and are kept separate. The Hasta can be done facing upwards or downwards.

This Hasta is used to depict taking the Kapittha or Bilva fruit, showing the hand to children and a downcast face

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Ahiphaṇa: The palm of the Patāka Hasta is hollowed.

This Hasta is used to depict pouring, drinking or offering of holy water. When facing downwards it is used to depict waving movement, dwarfs and the like. It is held facing upwards to depict blessing, appeasing and the movements of snakes,

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Mṛgaṡirshā: The little finger and the thumb of the Sarpasīrṣa Hasta are extended.

When facing downwards this Hasta is used to depict wiping off sweat, beckoning and shading the eyes from the sun, When facing upwards it is used to depict colouring the face and throwing the dice,

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Kāṅgūla The thumb, forefinger and middle finger are separated and kept in a triangular position. The ring finger is bent and the little finger is kept straight.

This Hasta is used to depict different types of fruits, small quantities and caressing the chin of children,

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Alapadma The fingers move sideways, are separated from each other and bent towards the centre of the palm.

This Hasta is used to depict praising oneself, forbidding, enquiring 'who are you?' and emptiness,

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Catura: The thumb of the Hamsapaksa Hasta is bent to touch the base of the middle finger.

This Hasta is used to depict chanting prayers, a small quantity, doubt and Vedic discourse,

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Bhramara: The ring finger and the little finger of the Mukula Hasta are extended and the forefinger is raised and curved.

This Hasta is used to depict holding flowers with long stalks, earrings, palm leaves and removing thorns.

Haṁsamukha The little finger of the Mukula Hasta is raised upwards and the ring finger is bent.

This Hasta when moved slightly is used to depict smoothness, smallness and softness. To depict the act of smelling flowers the Hasta is kept steady,

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Haṁsapaksha: The little finger of the Patāka Hasta is raised.

This Hasta is used to depict applying colour to the face, tying up the hair and accepting.

Sandaṁṡa The forefinger and the thumb of the Arala Hasta meet at the tip and the palm is slightly hollowed. The Hasta is done in three different ways: towards the front (Agraja), towards the face (Mukhaja) and towards the side (Parsvaja).

This Hasta when done facing the front (Agra; a Sandaṁṡa Hasta) is used to depict removing thorns, plucking small flowers and rebuking rudely.

This Hasta when done facing the side (Parsvaja Sandaṁṡa Hasta) is used to depict rubbing the sacred thread, powdering things like camphor and taking betel leaf.

This Hasta when done towards the face (Mukhaja Sandaṁṡa Hasta) is used to depict painting, drawing the eyebrows, stringing beads and decorating the eyelashes.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Mukula: All the finger tips including that of the thumb touch each other to form a plantain flower.

This Hasta when held obliquely and facing upwards is used to depict counting of gold coins. It is held facing downwards to depict prayer and making offerings to the Gods,

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Tāmraçūḍa: The forefinger of the Mukula Hasta is raised up and bent. The little finger and the ring finger touch the palm.

This Hasta is used to depict inspiring confidence in children, hurrying up, snapping fingers, in war, yawning and kings.

Urṇanābha: The fingers of the Padmakōṡa Hasta including the thumb are bent.

This Hasta is used to depict taking objects like gold, a lion, tiger and scratching the head,