How many 'combined-hand-gestures' are mentioned in 'Abhinay Darpan' ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
The foundation of Indian classical dance, particularly the Angika Abhinaya (body language and gestures), is codified in texts like the Abhinaya Darpana by Acharya Nandikeshwara. This authoritative treatise systematically classifies all hand gestures, or Hastas, into two principal categories: Asamyukt Hastas (single-hand gestures) and Samyukt Hastas (combined/double-hand gestures). The question specifically asks for the number of Samyukt Hastas, which are the gestures formed by using both hands in combination to convey complex ideas, objects, or emotions, such as Anjali (salutation) or Garuda (the eagle). According to the established canon of the Abhinaya Darpana, there are precisely **23** recognized Samyukt Hastas, each with a specific meaning and usage. Students must remember this exact numerical division for theoretical examinations.

The incorrect option is 1:
The number 13 is significantly lower than the established count and does not correspond to any primary classification number in the Abhinaya Darpana. The combined total of both Asamyukt and Samyukt Hastas far exceeds this figure, suggesting a misinterpretation or confusion with a count from a different musicological or dance text. While other traditions or later compilations may have different counts, 13 is not the number for combined-hand gestures in the text specified.

The incorrect option is 3:
The number 28 is the correct count for the **Asamyukt Hastas** (single-hand gestures) as defined in the *Abhinaya Darpana*. These are the gestures that can be performed using only one hand, such as *Pataka* or *Shikhar*, and they form the fundamental vocabulary of the hand language. The distinction between the 28 *Asamyukt* and the 23 *Samyukt* gestures is a core concept that students must master. Therefore, while 28 is a highly important number in this context, it refers to the single-hand, not the combined-hand, gestures.

The incorrect option is 4:
The number 33 is also incorrect and represents a common point of confusion for students of *Natyashastra* and dance theory. It is the standard number for the **Sanchari Bhavas** (transitory or fleeting emotional states), such as *Nirveda* or *Glani*, which contribute to the final aesthetic experience (*Rasa*). These *Sanchari Bhavas* are a category of emotion integral to the *Sattvika Abhinaya* (emotional expression), but they are not a count of hand gestures. Thus, 33 relates to the theory of aesthetic emotion (*Rasa Siddhanta*), entirely separate from the hand gesture taxonomy.