Nataraja
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Katakamukha

कटकामुख
SanskritSay it: ka · ṭa · kaa · mu · kha
  • ṭ ḍ — t and d with the tongue tip curled back
  • bh, dh, gh… — the consonant with a breath of air after it
  • aa ee oo ē ō — long vowels: hold them twice as long

Opening in a bracelet — thumb, index and middle fingers meet

MudraBharatanatyamKuchipudiOdissi

Meaning

Katakamukha is formed by bringing the index and middle fingers to the thumb, the ring and little fingers raised. It shows picking flowers, holding a garland, drawing a bow, offering betel leaves and glancing.

Also written: kataka mukha, katakamukham, kataka

Sources

Related words

Asamyuta Hastaअसंयुत हस्तThe single-hand gestures — twenty-eight in the Abhinaya DarpanaMudraमुद्राA hand gesture that carries meaning.Kapitthaकपित्थWood apple — the index finger curled over the thumbSuchiसूचीNeedle — the index finger raised from a closed handKatakavardhanaकटकावर्धनLink of increase — two Katakamukha hands crossed at the wristsPatakaपताकाThe flag — the first hand gesture every student learns.

Know this differently, or know it better? Traditions vary and we would rather be corrected — tell us.

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