Knowra Mudra Mudra A symbolic hand gesture used in Indian dance, ritual, and visual art. Its hand shape or movement conveys meaning within a specific artistic or religious tradition.
Hasta : A Sanskrit term for the hand, especially as used in Indian dance and performance. Dance texts use hasta as the broader category for meaningful hand gestures.
Bharatanatyam : A classical dance tradition from Tamil Nadu, India, combining rhythm, movement, and expressive storytelling. Its performers use codified hand gestures to narrate stories and express emotion.
Anjali Mudra : A gesture in which the palms meet, commonly associated with greeting, reverence, or prayer. It exemplifies a widely recognized gesture used in both devotional and social settings.
Abhinaya Hasta : A category of expressive hand gestures used to represent objects, actions, or ideas in Indian dance. It contrasts with single-symbol ritual gestures because its meanings can shift with performance context.
Abhinaya : The expressive techniques performers use to communicate meaning in Indian classical dance and drama. Mudras work with facial expression and movement as part of expressive performance.
Kathakali : A dance-drama tradition from Kerala, India, known for elaborate makeup, gesture, and storytelling. Its performers use an extensive hand-gesture vocabulary to communicate dialogue and action.
Abhaya Mudra : A raised-hand gesture associated with fearlessness, reassurance, and protection in Indian religious imagery. Buddhist and Hindu images use it to convey reassurance through an open palm.
Nritta Hasta : A category of hand gestures used chiefly for decorative movement in Indian classical dance. It distinguishes gestures serving rhythmic form from those that communicate narrative meaning.
Natya Shastra : An ancient Sanskrit treatise on dramaturgy, dance, music, and performance. Its performance theory describes gestures and their expressive functions.
Odissi : A classical dance tradition from Odisha, India, shaped by devotional themes and sculptural movement. Its choreography incorporates hand gestures to express narrative and devotional meaning.
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