The Asamyuta hastas, as described in the Abhinaya Darpana are 28 in number.

These Hastas are used as embellishments in adavus as well as to communicate meaning gesturally, The Viniyogas in the Abhinaya Darpana describe a number of possible gestural implications for each Hasta.

Please refer to...

The Asamyuta hastas, as described in the Abhinaya Darpana are 28 in number.

These Hastas are used primarily communicate meaning gesturally, The Viniyogas in the Abhinaya Darpana describe a number of possible gestural implications for each Hasta.

Please refer to the Shloka below for pronunciat...

The Shirobhedas, as described in the Abhinaya Darpana are 9 in number.
These Shirobhedas, or gestures of the head are used primarily communicate meaning gesturally, and also used for specificity in Nritta.

Please refer to the Shloka below for pronunciation. Please note that the separate movement...

The Grīvabhedas, as described in the Abhinaya Darpana are 4 in number.
These Grīvabhedas, or gestures of the neck are used primarily communicate meaning gesturally, and also used for specificity in Nritta.

Please refer to the Shloka below for pronunciation. Please note that the separate movement...

The Drishtibhedas, as described in the Abhinaya Darpana are 8 in number.
These Drishtibhedas, or gestures of the eyes are used primarily communicate meaning gesturally, and also used for specificity in Nritta.

Please refer to the Shloka below for pronunciation. Please note that the separate move...

Daśavatāra Hasta
The Abhinaya Darpana Hastas for the ten incarnations of Vishnu

Avatar: Right Hand / Left Hand
1. Matsya: Ardhaćandra (shoulder level) / Ardhaćandra (shoulder level)
2. Kūrma: Mrugasirśa (shoulder level) / Mrugasirśa (shoulder level)
3. Varaha: Mrugasirśa (waist level) / Mrugasi...

Devata Hasta

The hand gestures that depict the various gods and goddesses according to the Abhinaya Darpana

अथात्र ब्रह्मरुद्रादिदेवताभिनयक्रमात्
मूर्तिभेदेन ये हस्तस्तेषां लक्षणमुच्यते

Athātra brahmarudradidevatabhinayakramāt
Mūrtibhedena yé hastasteśām lakśanmūćyaté

Deity Right Hand Left H...

A Ćari is a type of gait or manner in which the body can move. Taken from the root word 'ćar' to move in sanskrit, it represents a movement through space. The ćaris of the Abhinaya Darpana are very different from the ćaris of the Nātyaśaśtra

These types of gaits are used primarily to communicate...

The leg positions according to the Abhinaya Darpana are very different from the Natyaśaśtra. Mandala, itself has a different meaning in both the texts. Please remember to note that this śloka is specifically from the Abhinaya Darpana.

स्थानकं चायतालीढम् प्रेण्खणप्रेरितानि च
प्रत्यालीढम् स्वस्...

Th Sthanaka Bheda in the Abhinaya Darpana are quite varied from those that we call Sthanakas in the Natyaśaśtra. Be sure not to be confused with one another.

samapaadanća eka paadam naagabandhasthatha param
aindreća garudasćaiva brahmastanamithi kramam

1. Samapāda – standing with both feet ali...