Bharatanatyam dancer Varsha Ramkumar uses Samputa hasta to take a peek at a precious object in the box. Photo: V. Sudershan
Sattriya dancer Anwesa Mahanta shows how to hold Chakra, which is the 13th double-hand gesture listed by Nandikeswara. Hold the two hands with fingers straight and no space between them. Hold the thumbs at right angles to the palm. Then bring the two palms together, such that the right palm faces forward, with fingertips pointing upwards, and the left is horizontal, with the fingertips pointing towards the right side. Photo: V. Sudershan
Chakra hasta is used to represent a wheel or discus. Lord Vishnu's chakra (discus) and the potter's wheel are two common examples. Photo: V. Sudershan
The wheel itself has a number of philosophical associations, so the use of Chakra hasta could be varied depending on the context of the literary work. Photo: V. Sudershan
The chakra hasta is also sometimes used to represent the colour red, as in showing Krishna's rosy palms. Photo: V. Sudershan
Varsha Ramkumar demonstrates Samputa hasta. Hold the hands in mrigasheersha hasta. (As described earlier, this is formed as follows: Hold the index, middle and ring fingers parallel to the ground and without any space between them. Let the thumb and little finger point upwards.) Bring the two mrigasheershas together, palms facing each other, so that a box shape is created, as shown. Photo: V. Sudershan
Varsha shows how samputa can be used to show someone/something close to the heart. Photo: V. Sudershan
Reddy Lakshmi displays Pasha hasta, the 15th double hand gesture listed by Nandikeswara. Hold the hands as fists, then raise the index finger in a ‘C' or hook shape. Interlock the two index fingers. Photo: V. Sudershan
Kuchipudi dancer Reddy Lakshmi shows Krishna wielding the pasha. Photo: V. Sudershan
Reddy Lakshmi depicts anger or going to war by using Pasha hasta. Photo: V. Sudershan
