MUDRAS
This collection is about storytelling. It is through the deconstruction of a vibrant history and spiritual language that I hope to convey both the nuanced individualism of cultures within a typically homogenized population as well as the power that comes from weaving those histories together, on our own terms.
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Bharatanatyam is a classical form of South-Indian dance in which every movement is used to tell a story. Intricate hand gestures (mudras) convey a unique mood or sentiment and when expressed together in sequences combined with facial expressions, they tell a story through body language. Depicted are the two-hand (samyuta) gestures drawn in charcoal on upcycled paper made from jute rags from Calcutta. The jute trade, and the repurposing of the fabric represents an important history of the West Bengal state of India as well as the country’s independence.
Used to denote a feeling of love and affection and hilarious conversation with friends.
Used to denote Lord Vishnu. Also, a fish.
Used to denote the concealment of objects, secrets or something that is kept safely.
The pasha is used to denote internal fights or quarrels, a string and a chain.
Used to denote worship and marriage.
In Sanskrit, Chakra means a circle or a wheel. This chakra is a divine weapon with sharp edges and is meant to spin like a disk.
Used to enact a demon- when held close to the face it indicates vicious teeth of a demon and when held at the eye level denotes protruding eyes.
Tortoise
Used as a greeting to God, Elders, Teachers and a Brahmin. The Anjali mudra is kept above the head to offer salutations to the God, in front of the face to offer respects to the Teachers and Elders in front of the chest to offer pranams to the twice-born or the Brahmin’s.
Used to denote meditation, a swing.
Used to show a blocked road or passage or to show imprisonment.
Used to denote stems and branches of tress or a peak.
Used to denote a hawk or birds flying.
Used to represent a cot, a bridge. Also used to denote a Palkhi, a covered chair or bed with poles carried by two or four bearers, used in India as a mode of transportation.
Used to show the Bhairunda bird in mythology- an eagle with two heads and a single body, or a pair of birds sitting together.
Used to denote a counch which was blown in the battlefield as a sign to begin the war. The sound of a Shankha is considered sacred and has a divine significance in Indian mythology. Lord Vishnu is described as holding a Shankha in his upper left hand.
Used to show the nature of snakes coiling and encircling.
A symbol that represents the Hindu God lord Shiva.
Used to denote a boar or a wild pig. Lord Vishnu is also depicted by this gesture.
Used to show the Vinayam (down to Earth attitude) quality of an individual, to show acceptance and respect to teachers.
Indicates offering of lights, offerings and floral tributes to gods.