As I remember the 24 hasta murdras in mohiniattam , I am amazed at the way each mudra has a meaning and many more contextually. With each mudra one is able to depict characters, objects and emotions so distinctly. So much so that I i feel talking in this language makes it a beautiful experience in itself.
In the padams like entaho vallabha - it is the pain and the sorrow of the heroine, where she is saying what wrong has she done while she describes the beautiful moon and smell of flowers that makes her want to love and be loved. All this not spoken but entirely described through facial expression, hands and body gestures.
In mohiniattam, I would say it is the use of the facial expressions and bodily movements that accentuates the whole experience with mudras playing a pivotal part. According to me the story telling is extremely dramatic when mudras are used like describing a house or a woman, depicting a character or a sense of mood.
In mohiniattam recitals, the nayika always expresses using her face rather the use of mudras. I believe it is so that the audience who may or may not understand the mudras can simply relate through the mukha bhavam (facial expression).
In the padams like entaho vallabha - it is the pain and the sorrow of the heroine, where she is saying what wrong has she done while she describes the beautiful moon and smell of flowers that makes her want to love and be loved. All this not spoken but entirely described through facial expression, hands and body gestures.
In mohiniattam, I would say it is the use of the facial expressions and bodily movements that accentuates the whole experience with mudras playing a pivotal part. According to me the story telling is extremely dramatic when mudras are used like describing a house or a woman, depicting a character or a sense of mood.
In mohiniattam recitals, the nayika always expresses using her face rather the use of mudras. I believe it is so that the audience who may or may not understand the mudras can simply relate through the mukha bhavam (facial expression).
