Chidambaram Arts

Hastas are Hand gestures or symbols. They are of 2 kinds.

1. Asamyutha Hastas or One handed Gestures

2. Samyutha Hastas or Two Handed Gestures

Hastas can be used to convey an idea, thought or feeling to the viewers in conjunction with the lyrics (sahitya) of a song, or they may just add beauty to a movement. The latter are called Nritta Hasta.

Each of the above hastas can be used to denote various thoughts, ideas and objects. There are various slokas(verses) from the ancient texts that enumearte the usage of the hastas. These are called viniyoga slokas. Apart from the viniyogas (usage) suggested, the dancer may innovate, if found necessary, to convey the  appropriate message to the audience.

As an example the various uses of Pathaka Hasta is delineated in this  Pathaka Viniyoga Sloka

Pathaka Hasta Viniyoga

 Nattyaarambhe Vaarivaahe Vane Vastunishadhane
to begin the dance, clouds, forest, to refuse something

Kuchasthale Nishanyaamcha Nadhyaam Amaramandale
to show breasts, night sky, river, the heavens

Turage Khandane Vaayau Shayane Gamanodyame
horse, strike down, wind, sleeping, to go quietly

Prataapecha Prasaadecha Chandrikaayam Ghanaatape
to indicate greatness, to offer something, moonlight, bright sunlight

Kavaattapaattane Saptavibhaktyarthe Tarangake
to open a door, seven scriptures, waves

Vithipraveshabhaavepi Samatvecha Angaraagake
to enter a street, to show equality, to anoint ones body

Aatmaarthe Shapathechaapi Tushnimbhaavanidarshane
to show oneself, to take an oath, to show silence

Aashirvaadakriyaayaamcha Nripashreshtasyabhaavane
to bless,ideal king,

Taalapatrecha Khettecha Dravyaadisparshane tatha
palm leaf, shield, to touch things

Tatratatretivachane Sindhautu Sukrutikrame
to indicate such and such person, ocean, to indicate everything is alright

Sambhodhane Purogepi Khadgarupasyadharane
to address a person, going forward, sword

Maase Samvatsare Varshaadine Samaarjane tatha
month, year, rainy season, to sweep

Evamartheshuyujyante Pataakahastabhavanah
these are the different usages of Pataka Hasta

Similarly all other hastas have their own viniyoga slokas.