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Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Patākā: If the thumb is a little drawn in and the fore fingers etc. are kept spread, it is patākā.

It is used in pāta (tāla), playing the drum and to console the tension etc.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Tripatakā: When the ring finger is a litle twisted in the Pataka hand it is tripataka.

It is used in drying the tears, showing the shape of forehead, touching the things and in ācamana (taking a drop of water during ritual).

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Kartari: In that hasta (tripataka) if the forefinger is kept looking at the part of middle finger, it is kartari,

this indicates some argument or showing the teeth.

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Ardhacandra: If the fingers are kept together with bowing them like half circle excluding the thumb, it is ardha candra.

It shows the waning moon.

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Arāla: If the forefinger is twisted in the sarpa hasta it is arala.

To indicate the blessing, preaching and praising the act of bravery and valor of someone, this sign is used.

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Śukatunda: If the ring finger is twisted in arāla hasta, it is sukatunda.

It is used to show, parting, “without you I am nowhere”, “do not do”, “fie upon you”, etc.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Muṣṭikara: If the tips of forefingers etc. are put on the palm and the thumb is kept upon them it is muṣṭikara.

It is to be used to show hitting, taking sword and wringing dry etc.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Śikhara: If the thumb is kept up in the musti hasta it is śikhara.

It is formed to show the act of coloring the lips and taking a bow or a stick.

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Kapittha : If the forefinger is lifted up and bent with the thumb pressing on it in śikhara hasta it is kapittha.

It is applicable to the act of remembering, taking the cakra, (a wheel shaped weapon of Visnu) and wringing.

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Research 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Kaṭakāmukha : If in kapittha hasta last two fingers are lifted up with a twist it is kaṭakā mukha

This is used to show the act of taking, attraction and holding a mirror etc.

Sūcyāsya: If the forefinger is spread out in the kaṭakāmukha, it is sūcyāsya.

It shows reasoning, exhibiting and threatening ,etc.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Padma kośa: If all the fingers kept upwards, separated and a little bent towards the palm it is padmakośa.

It indicates kapittha fruit (wood apple), breast, and bloom¬ing lotus flower.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Sarpaśirṣaka: If all the fingers (including thumb) join to make the ardha candra it is sarpaśirṣaka.

It is used to show movements like a snake, the watering process and throwing the water etc.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Mrgaśirsaka When thumb and little finger are stretched upward. it is mrgaśirsaka.

It shows joy, the dice, or perspiration drying action etc.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Kānśūla: The thumb and last fingers are spread out and the ring finger is drawn a little inside, is kānśūla.

It is used to show the oven, cat and small breast.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Alapadma: In the padmakośa hasta if the fingers are revolved one by one inwards, it is Alapadma.

It is used in negation and nandyavarta etc.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Catuṛā: In patākā hasta if the thumb is placed at the frontside root of the ring finger and the little finger at the back side of the last part of the ring finger it is catuṛā (When the thumb touches the root of the ring finger and the little finger touches the back side of the same finger.)

The less quantity, negation, on eyes, etc. are shown by this hasta.

Bhramara: If the middle finger and thumb is joined together in the arāla hasta, it is bhramara hasta.

It is applied to show the ear studs, holding a lotus flower and artistical works etc.

Hansāsya: If the last two fingers are kept spread aloof it is hansāsya.

It is used to indicate the shape of a lentil dough, nuts, and oil massage, etc.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Hansapakśha: Keeping the patākā hasta if the little finger goes back side, it is hansapakśha.

It is used to show eating, touching, applying something on the body, and sending message to far away places etc.

Sandaṅsa: In the arāla hasta if forefinger and thumb is joined together, it is sandaṅsa.

It indicates meditation, gathering flowers, inadequacy, wringing, etc.

Sandaṅsa is three-fold, sidewise, near the face, at the frontside etc. are the manyfold varieties according to Digambara.

Mukula: If the fingers are joined together in padmakośa hasta it is mukula.

It shows worship, food, hesitation, the lotus bud and mirror.

Bharata Natyam 
Elizabeth Kelly 

Tamracūḍaka: In the bhramara hasta when fingers are in the front part of of palm it is tamracūḍaka.

This is used to indicate the fastness of the tāla, stroke, etc.

Ūrṇanābha: When the fingers are twisted in the padmakośa hasta, it is Ūrṇanābha hasta.

This shows leprosy, the lion, and scratching the head, etc.