Asamyutha Hasthalu (single hand gestures) :
Pataaka tripataakscha thathavai kartharimukhaha
ardhachandro araalascha sukathundasthathaivacha
mushtishcha shikharakhyachakapiththa katakaamaukha:
soochasya padma koshasya sarpaseershathathaivacha
mrigasirshaparagnyeyo hasthabhinayahothrubhi:
langoolau alapadmascha chathurau bhramarsthatha
hamsasyo hamsa pakshascha samdhamso mukulasthatha
oorrnanabha thamrachooda chathurvidhasmekaraha.
The above sloka lists the 24 single hand gesture. They are as follows( Following each hand gesture is how to do it and its usage in dance):
1)Patakamu: To hold the palm upright- all the fingers, including the thumb close together. This hand gesture may be used to show a flag, to slap, to praise,to show waves, to show flow andso on.
2) Tripatakamu: to hold the fingers together, bending the ring finger. It may be used to invite, to show a tree, to show a crown, to enter, to show eternal fluids, to lay down, to close a nostril and also to wipe tears.
3) Kartarimukha: The tripataka is the basic hand gesture in this too, only, stretch all the fingers except for the ring apart. This hand gesture is then called Kartharimukha. It is used to show the way, to put muggu (kolam), o read a letter,to turn around.
4)Ardha chandramu: Hold the pataka hastha and stretch out the thumb, to make a right angle with the rest of the hand, palm facing out.This is ardhachandra.It is used to show the crescent moon, to kill someone by pressing his/her throat, Kangan (wrist band), to show the waist.
5) Araalamu: When we hold the thumb with the fore finger and let the rest of the palm as in pataka hastha, it is Araalamu. It is used to denote saintliness, to show meditation, to pluck flowers and we use this mudra close to the nose to smell and on the nose to show the nose ring.
6)Sukathunda: When the fore and the ring finger are bant as in tripataka hastha, it is Sukathunda. We use this mudra to show a parrot, it can be used to show a celestial vehical, to call and to say no to oneself and others.
7) Mushti: When all the fingers are closed into a fist.
8) Shikhara:
9) Sukatunda:
10) Kapitha:
11) Katakamukha:
12)Soochi:
13) Padma Kosha:
14) Kapitha: