Gestures of Kathakali

This is a detailed study of the mudras or gestures of Kathakali classical dance form. Arguing that mudra is the life and breath of the art form, Kathakali, the book explains the meaning and importance of various mudras used in Kathakali. With colourful illustrations of the mudras that include some 1200 photographs, it describes the mudras described in a simple manner for the ordinary admirer of the dance form to understand the ideas expressed. It mentions the gestures and what they indicate in the course of the performance and the feeling/emotion conveyed by the various expressions that accompany the gestures. In this context, it takes into consideration the differences in usage of certain symbols in the dance form. It includes the 24 fundamental gestures given in Hastalakshanadipika as well as mixed gestures.