💃 MUDRAS IN CLASSICAL DANCE
How the 8 Classical Dance Forms Use Mudras
Sangeet Natak Akademi recognized forms · All rooted in Natyashastra
ABHINAYA — THE FOUR-FOLD EXPRESSIVE SYSTEM
Angika
Body/Limb
Hasta mudras, body postures, gaits
Vachika
Voice/Word
Speech, song, rhythm patterns
Aharya
Costume
Makeup, jewelry, dress
Sattvika
Inner State
Emotional manifestation on face/body
Hand mudras (hasta) are part of Angika Abhinaya — the physical/bodily expressive system.
8 CLASSICAL DANCE FORMS
Bharatanatyam
Tamil Nadu
Mudra system: 28 Asamyuta + 13 Samyuta
Source: Natyashastra + Abhinaya Darpana
Odissi
Odisha
Mudra system: 20 Asamyuta + 13 Samyuta (modified)
Source: Abhinaya Chandrika
Kathak
North India
Mudra system: Shared hastas + Mughal-influenced gestures
Source: Natyashastra + Persian influence
Kuchipudi
Andhra Pradesh
Mudra system: 28 + 13 (similar to Bharatanatyam)
Source: Natyashastra lineage
Manipuri
Manipur
Mudra system: Unique Meitei mudra vocabulary
Source: Local tradition (Sankirtan)
Mohiniyattam
Kerala
Mudra system: 24 Mudras from Hastalakshana Deepika
Source: Hastalakshana Deepika
Kathakali
Kerala
Mudra system: 24 Mudras (Ashtamudra system)
Source: Hastalakshana Deepika
Sattriya
Assam
Mudra system: Vaishnava-adapted mudras
Source: Sankaradeva tradition
NRITYA vs NRITTA vs NATYA
NrityaExpressive dance — mudras + facial expression + emotion combined
NrittaPure dance — rhythmic movement without expressive meaning
NatyaDrama/narrative — full theatrical performance combining all three