Doubt in Gestures???

rhranjana · Post by **rhranjana** » 02 Apr 2009, 23:15

Hello,

Can anyone tell me what gesture to be shown for representing Lakshmanan(is that similar to Rama but how to differentiate), Barathan, Shatrugnan, Sugrivan, Angadhan & Vibishanan. I am preparing for a dance show shortly. It would be greatful if anyone could help me on this. Is there any pose of Rama other than the Bow & Arrow???

Thankyou.

Umesh · Post by **Umesh** » 03 Apr 2009, 08:47

I do not know about Rama's other brothers, but I have been taught to depict Lakshman with shikhara at chest in left hand and mayuram by side (an indication that he is a brother).

For Rama, people do slightly different things-- traditionally it is shikhara above head (L) and 2nd katakamukha below by side (R) but I have seen abhaya hasta instead in right hand or 2nd katakamukha in both hands. I suppose you could also depict Rama by using abhaya and dola in a pose as if seated (on his throne, blessing his subjects/devotees) or actually shooting an arrow, but these are generic and not specific to Rama.

ardhanariswar · Post by **ardhanariswar** » 05 Apr 2009, 01:54

Its hard to differentiate between characters using only hastas. You could do the costume route and do something different for each character (like different colors)?

For more variation on the warrior type poses, you could do what Umesh suggested but with the more masculine patakam holding the thigh and shikaram on the other hand.

Umesh · Post by **Umesh** » 05 Apr 2009, 07:53

ardhanariswar wrote: ...you could do what Umesh suggested but with the more masculine patakam holding the thigh and shikaram on the other hand.

Shikhara and ardachandro on the thigh is a pose typically used to portray Lord Murugan (even though the hands may be switched). To avoid confusion, I would go with the dola; it, too, can be masculine!

Keep the body in abhanga with more or less equal weight on the each foot (i.e. no protruding of the hip to one side).

rhranjana · Post by **rhranjana** » 05 Apr 2009, 23:00

Thank you for your valuable suggestions. Will the regular shikaram hastas/gestures suit to represent Angadhan & sugrivan??? Don't they need to be shown something similar to hanuman?

Umesh · Post by **Umesh** » 06 Apr 2009, 09:02

No. Shikhara is for a bow or other type of weapon in these instances. I have personally never portrayed Angadha or Sugriva, but I imagine they may be depicted with downturned mukulams at the chest (perhaps mukulam at the chest and tripataka above head, indicative of a crown, and hence royalty).

ksl · Post by **ksl** » 27 May 2009, 01:09

Swasthikam with mayura is the hasta to show brothers. For compound characters use your creativity to describe them. Lakshman, Bharata nad Shatrughna were rama's brothers. So you could show rama and his brothers. Abhinaya wise, Rama was the more satvika one. Lakshman was known to be short tempered and pouder. Show that in your angikabhnaya. Vibhishana was the king of demons. So show shakata and crown with tripataka. Angad and Sugriva were the vanara kings. So show vaanara with inverted mukulam/dolama t chest and then kings and u can include brother's there too.

natyasri123 · Post by **natyasri123** » 27 May 2009, 22:17

may be the body posture will help. like for the vanara kings, the head can be held high- like high esteem, but a little bent body. also for vibhishana the expression can be soft.

garavasimhala · Post by **garavasimhala** » 01 Jun 2009, 16:14

Somebody please help me out also.
I want to know the gestures for shabari and rama at the time when they meet. Can anybody tell me?