Mohiniyattam (Kathakali, Kudiyattam) fundamental Mudras (hasthas, handgestures) from Hasthalakshanadeepika in English transliteration

Apart from movement stylistics, Mohiniyattam differs from Bharatanatyam in mudras (hand gestured) used for narration of stories and sentiments. While Bharatanatyam mudras base themselves on Nathya Shastra and Abhinaya Darpana, Mohiniyattam, like kathakali and kudiyattam derive their mudras from the text called Hasthalakshanadipika (or hasthalakshanadeepika). A few mudras, however, such as alapadma (lotus) are borrowed from Abhinaya Darpana and extensively used in Mohiinyattam both in nritta (abstract non-thematic dance) and abhinaya portions (expressions, pantomime).  There are 24 fundamental mudras in Hasthalakshanadeepika, each of them has both double and single hand usages. Apart from that there are also mixed mudras usages.

24 fundamental mudras as per Hasthalakshanadeepika:

Shloka:

Hastāha pathākō mudrākyāha

kațakō mushtirithyapi

kartharimykha samjascha

śukatundaha kapithakaha

hamsāpakșcha śikharō

hamsāsya Punaranjalihi

arthavhandracha Mukurō

bramara sūchikāmukhaha

palavasthripathācha

mrihaśīrșāhoyasthathā

punasarpāśirōsāmjō

vardhamānaka ethyapi

arāļa umanābhas

muukuļa kadāmukhaha

chathurvimsathirithyethē

karāha sāstrajnasammathāha