The Stories Behind Bharatanatyam Mudras

2025-08-25

Think of a temple courtyard in Tamil Nadu decades and centuries ago. The beats of percussion instruments like Mridangam and Tabla, along with a melodious tune of Bansuri or a flute and Taalam fill the air. And giving justice to this pleasant setting is a graceful dancer, matching her steps to these instruments. Dressed in a Saari, stunning jewellery and fingers painted with alta, or mehendi, enhancing the hand gestures, also popularly known as mudras.

Bharatanatyam is one of India’s oldest classical dance forms, where dancers tell stories through rhythm, movement and expression. At the heart of Bharatanatyam are mudras, symbolic hand gestures that put life into stories. They portray characters, emotions or even objects. The mudras in Bharatanatyam are like words in a poem, guiding both dancer and audience through a tale.

History and Evolution of Mudras

The history of mudras goes back thousands of years. Natyashashtra describes the use of these Mudras in detail. It has originated in ancient India and were originally used in rituals, prayers and meditation. As time passed, dancers refined them into a precise language. These gestures became more structured as the tradition of Bharatanatyam grew.

The mudras were passed from one generation to another through teachers and gurus, which made these hand gestures more structured. Each time it was passed on to a newer generation, it carried centuries of storytelling, devotion and culture. Today, it does not matter if Bharatanatyam is performed in temples or on grand stages. The essence of these gestures remains unchanged.

Significance of Mudras in Bharatanatyam

Mudras play an important role in Bharatanatyam. They carry deep meanings. A small flick of the wrist or the bend of a finger can express several emotions that include joy, sorrow, anger or love. These gestures are a bridge between the dance and narrative. The dancer’s hand speaks in the absence of words. This helps the audience understand the story better, even if they do not know the language of the song. Some even see them as mudras for healing since they connect body, mind and spirit during performance.

In this way, gestures bring life to the dance and open doors to deeper emotions. Over time, audiences have come to see mudras not just as decorative movements but as powerful symbols. Each gesture feels like a delicate thread stitched into the grand fabric of storytelling. The Pataka mudra may denote a river in motion, can portray blessing from the divine or mark the beginning of a new journey. It might appear as a simple movement, but it has a deeper meaning.

Commonly Used Mudras in Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam encompasses around 108 mudras, including Asamyukta Hastas (single-hand gestures) and Samyukta Hastas (double-hand gestures). These are used to express emotions or different ideas in dance. However, there are a few mudras that are commonly used, or you might have come across.

Asamyukta Hastas

Single-hand gestures, known as asamyukta hastas, are among the most common mudras. Each has a unique form and story. Some of them are as given below:

• Pataka Mudra: The Pataka mudra, with all fingers extended and joined while the thumb bends slightly inward, is one of the most common mudras in Bharatanatyam. It symbolises clouds, forests, or the act of stopping, depending on the context. Dancers often use this mudra to express strength, blessings or the vastness of nature. Its versatility makes it a foundation for storytelling in classical dance.
• Tripataka Mudra: The Tripataka mudra is formed by bending the ring finger while keeping the other fingers straight. This mudra represents a crown, trees, or arrows. In Bharatanatyam, it is often used to depict deities, thunder, or flames, making it a powerful symbol in divine storytelling sequences.
• Arala Mudra: The Arala mudra, made by bending the index finger towards the thumb while the rest remain extended, is a graceful gesture. It symbolises drinking nectar, strong winds, or even violent emotions. In mudras meaning, this hand pose connects both natural and emotional expressions, allowing dancers to shift moods smoothly.
• Shikhara Mudra: In the Shikhara mudra, the thumb is raised while the other fingers form a fist. This mudra is often used to symbolise a weapon, a pillar, or even the act of holding a bow. Within Bharatanatyam, it is seen when dancers represent gods carrying weapons or showing strength and stability.
• Kartarimukha Mudra: The Kartarimukha mudra, or “scissors face,” is made by extending the index and middle fingers apart while the others fold inward. This mudra depicts separation, opposition, lightning, or the act of tearing. In Bharatanatyam, it helps narrate stories of division, distance, or dramatic emotions.
• Katakamukha Mudra: The Katakamukha mudra is performed by joining the tips of the thumb, index, and middle fingers while the other two fingers remain stretched. It signifies plucking flowers, wearing a garland, or delicate adornment. As one of the most common mudras in Bharatanatyam, it reflects beauty, grace, and ornamentation.
• Mukula Mudra: The Mukula mudra, formed by bringing all five fingertips together into a bud-like shape, symbolises a flower bud or the act of eating. In the world of mudras in Bharatanatyam, it often conveys blossoming life, offering food, or nurturing emotions. It is also connected to mudras for healing, as it represents energy gathering at the fingertips.
• Simhamukha Mudra: The Simhamukha mudra, shaped by touching the tips of the little and ring fingers to the thumb while the index and middle fingers stay stretched, resembles a lion’s face. In Bharatanatyam, it represents rituals with flowers, medicinal herbs, or even the ferocity of a lion. This mudra is deeply symbolic in both spiritual and natural depictions.
• Alapadma Mudra: The Alapadma mudra, with fingers stretched outward like an open lotus, symbolises beauty, radiance, and the unfolding of life. In mudras meaning, it is often used for the moon, a mirror, or showing elegance in Bharatanatyam. Dancers employ it to create a sense of grace and delicacy in performance.
• Kapota Mudra: The Kapota mudra is created by joining both palms with slightly hollowed space between them, resembles a dove. It signifies respectful dialogue, humility, and submission. In mudras in Bharatanatyam, it is often performed when dancers greet teachers, elders, or begin rituals, reflecting respect and peace.

Samyukta Hastas

Double-hand gestures, called samyukta hastas, use both hands together to expand expression.

• Anjali Mudra: The Anjali mudra, with palms joined in prayer, symbolises devotion, humility, and respect. In Bharatanatyam, it is performed at the beginning and end of performances, as a greeting to the audience, teachers, and the divine. This is among the most common mudras, expressing gratitude and reverence.
• Kapota (Double-Hand) Mudra: In its double-handed form, the Kapota mudra involves cupped palms joined together, representing offering, submission, or gentle speech. Within Bharatanatyam, it is used in storytelling sequences where a character conveys softness, sincerity or peaceful interaction.
• Shivalinga Mudra: The Shivalinga mudra is formed by placing the left palm flat while the right hand shows the Shikhara mudra on top. It symbolises Lord Shiva, divine energy, and cosmic power. This mudra holds a spiritual significance in mudras in Bharatanatyam, especially during devotional pieces.
• Kartarimukha (Double-Hand) Mudra: When performed with both hands, the Kartarimukha mudra shows separation, conflict or opposition. It can also depict physical elements like creepers, branches or lightning. In Bharatanatyam, this mudra often enhances dramatic storytelling with intense emotions.
• Hamsasya Mudra: The Hamsasya mudra, when joined with both hands, resembles a swan’s beak and symbolises delicate objects, pearls, or graceful movement. In mudras meaning, it reflects beauty, elegance, and fragility. Bharatanatyam dancers often use it to depict refinement and tender emotions.
• Garuda Mudra: The Garuda mudra is created by crossing both hands at the wrists with fingers spread wide. It symbolises the mythical bird Garuda, known for protection, speed, and strength. In mudras in Bharatanatyam, it conveys divine vehicles, flight, or acts of safeguarding.
• Pushpaputa Mudra: The Pushpaputa mudra, made by cupping both palms together, represents offering flowers, holding water, or performing rituals. In Bharatanatyam, it is used in devotional dances that show surrender, worship, or rituals of gratitude. It carries deep spiritual energy in classical storytelling.
• Shankha Mudra: The Shankha mudra, resembling a conch shell when hands are interlocked, is symbolic of sound, divinity, and sacred rituals. This mudra is used in Bharatanatyam during devotional pieces, invoking auspiciousness and ceremonial grace. It is also considered one of the mudras for healing, as it relates to breath and vibrations.
• Chakra Mudra: The Chakra mudra, formed by overlapping palms with fingers spread out like spokes of a wheel, symbolises the Sudarshana Chakra, Lord Vishnu’s weapon. In mudras meaning, it represents time, cycles, and divine protection. Within Bharatanatyam, it often adds dramatic power to mythological depictions.
• Samputa Mudra: The Samputa mudra is made by enclosing one palm over the other, symbolising hidden treasures, secrets, or something held within. In Bharatanatyam, this mudra adds mystery and depth to storytelling, often used in contexts of concealment or precious offerings.

Aspect	Asamyukta Hasta	Samyukta Hasta
Meaning	Single-hand gestures	Double-hand gestures
Number of Mudras	28 mudras	23 mudras
Hand Used	One hand at a time	Both hands together
Examples	Pataka, Arala, Tripataka	Anjali, Kapota, Katakamukha
Usage in Dance	Shows objects, actions, emotions, or nature with one hand	Shows combined meanings, greetings, symbolic devotion, or larger ideas
Symbolism	Focuses on individual expression	Represents unity, respect, and combined strength

Stories and Symbolism Behind Mudras

One mudra does not depict just one character or object. It can be used to denote multiple other things. Every hand gesture tells its own story. For example, the Pataka mudra can represent a weapon in one scene and show the vast sky in the next. The Mukula mudra can describe a flower blooming at dawn or the tender emotions of love. The Simhamukha mudra instantly transforms a dancer into a powerful lion or a fierce deity.

Double-hand gestures add layers to storytelling. When a dancer uses the Anjali mudra, the audience feels the devotion of a prayer. With the Arala mudra, they may see the act of drinking sacred nectar. The Katakamukha mudra can suggest flowing rivers or playful waves, while the Kapota mudra may depict a calm dialogue between characters. Each gesture works like a brush stroke on a canvas that paints vivid pictures for the audience. To understand the meaning and essence of the mudras is crucial for truly grasping Bharatanatyam. A mudra is not just a gesture; it is a combination of culture, devotion, and storytelling woven together.

Conclusion

The beauty of this dance form is not only in its rhythm but in the language of hands. Dancers bring stories to life that blend history, spirituality and artistry through mudras. From the simplicity of the Anjali mudra to the elegance of Alapadma mudra, each gesture adds depth and meaning. Understanding mudras will turn a performance into an experience, as it will allow you to feel the story without words. Every hand movement holds a story as it did in temple courtyards centuries ago.

What makes this art even more fascinating is how mudras go beyond performance. They are a silent dialogue between the dancer and the divine, between tradition and the audience. Some gestures symbolise nature, like flowers blooming or birds in flight, while others carry emotions of longing, devotion, or celebration. This richness makes Bharatanatyam not just a dance but a form of meditation and storytelling, where every movement is sacred and every gesture a verse in a timeless poem.