Bharathanatyam - The Indian Classical Dance
These are photos taken at a nonprofit dance program in Denver. This collection of photos are converted into a mild sepia tone instead of color to highlight the expression and gestures of the dances which otherwise would have been a distraction. However, it must be stated here both the act of dancing and the artists were distinguishably colorful.
Other than the photos, most of everything I have in writing below is compiled from OnlineBharatanatyam.com
The Basics Of Bharatanatyam is here:
Apart from striking facial expressions, Indian classical dance speak using hand gestures known as Mudras.
In Bharatanatyam, hand gestures are divided into two categories:
Asamyukta Hasta – That which is done with one hand or single hand gestures. They are 28 in number.
Samyukta Hasta – That which is done using both hands or double hand gestures. They are 23 in number.
Each hand gestures has many applications. The Shikhara hand gesture below may depict: An Armour, A Bow, A Pillar, Making offering to the Spirit of Ancestors, Upper lips, A tooth, Questioning, Saying No, Recollection, Pulling a griddle, An act of embracing, Sounding of Bells, and Drinking.
With that said I have no inclination of these hand gestures, expressions nor do I remember the context of each Bharathanatyam dance on any of these photos.