2021-11-01

The Significance of Mudras!

We have always been using Gestures as a way of non-verbal communication. But there is more to it than just a way of communication. They also play a vital role in Indian Classical Dance and Yoga! Interesting, isn't it? But what is a Mudra? Mudra is a Sanskrit word for Gesture which mean sign or seal. 'Mud' - means happiness or pleasure, and 'dru', when added to it, mean highlight. So very simply, Mudra means something that depicts joy.

The origin of Mudras goes back to Buddhist and Hindu religious practices. It is assumed that there are around 399 Mudras across all the disciplines. Hence, it is safe to say the usage of Mudra is common among people of all ages, religions and cultures. Through Mudras, we express consciously and unconsciously emotions, purposes, and our state of mind.

 

Did you know, according to Ayurveda, each finger of our hand resembles a chakra and an element. Thumb corresponds to Fire (Agni), Index finger to Air (Vayu), Middle Finger to Ether (Akash), Ring Finger to Earth (Prithvi) and the little finger to Water (Jala). Similarly, the thumb is connected with the solar plexus chakra, index finger with the heart chakra, middle finger with the throat chakra, ring finger with the root chakra, and little finger with the sacral chakra. The Mudra prayoga with respect to dance is very vast and mentioned in many sastras and books by scholars. A few examples are Abhinaya Darpanam, Natyasastra, Hastha Lakshana Deepika, Hastha Mukthavalli.

Hence, whether you are performing Yoga or Dance, you are ought to be benefited.

Fun Fact: Did you know a new form of called Natya Yoga which is mentioned in the Natyasastra blends Yoga, Dance and Music? The Natya Yoga aspect reveals how a body has to be in control with the mind to develop multiple movements and techniques to perform the complex dance.

Now that we have a brief idea of what a Mudra is let us look at the significance of Mudras not just in Dance but in our everyday lives.

1. They work as an aesthetic component in any Indian Classical Dance, especially in Kathakali, where around 12000 mudras are used to depict the the theme.
2. In Dance, they are pivotal in expressing oneself.
3. They accompany body movements to give a whole meaning to the Dance. The Mudra Abhinaya along with Angika Abhinaya brings in completeness to the dance form.
4. They generate positive energy, equilibrate and harmonies energies
5. In Yoga, Mudra is a posture that favors mental peace during meditation where as in dance it is a gesture to convey an emotion or Abhinaya
6. Mudra also helps increase memory, concentration, reduce sleep disorders, help to release stress and anger, ease depression and headache since the fingers being the power points
7. Mudras help to be aligned with the divine and be calm.

We hope you liked this brief description of Mudras and are intrigued to know more about them and the various dance forms. We at Antara teach different Indian Classical Dances and ensure our pupils understand even the most profound intricate details of these dance forms and Indian culture.

So if you are someone who moves a leg on music and wants to learn Indian Classical Dance, step into our Dance Academy and learn from the best teachers!