Bharatanatyam Mudras
Bharatanatyam Mudras
Bharatanatyam Mudras
2” x 2”
Vector Icons
Bharatanatyam mudras are hand movements/gestures used in the Indian dance form called Bharatanatyam. This dance form dates back to BCE and is rooted in Hinduism, associated with Shiva. Bharatanatyam is also a form of storytelling, and the hand gestures are an essential part of the act. As shown in the icon, there is a hand gesture, and behind the hand is the meaning of the mudras. The red in the center of the hand and on the tips of the fingers are henna. Henna is used to accentuate the gesture. Green and red complement one another; therefore, it was used to display contrast. The skin tone in the icons also has green undertones to unify the colors.
Brainstorming and sketching phase.
Inspiration was sought to determine the vibe of the icons. The goal was to focus on perfecting movement. Since Bharatanatyam originates from India, inspiration was also taken from the culture. After gathering appropriate photos that desired the ambiance, a color palette and words that embodied what the icons would entail were selected.
After sketching and determining what set of icons will be pursued, Bharatanatyam hand movements, also known as Mudras, were selected to embody the dance of Bharatanatyam as the Mudras play an essential role in the storytelling aspect of Bharatanatyam. at the beginning of the process, the hands were positioned in front of ovals; however, after much deliberation, it was determined that it would be best to showcase what the Mudras mean; thus, the subjects representing the Mudras came to be behind the hand movements.
The henna stood out while deciding the colors of the background subjects. Henna is typically used to emphasize the structure of the hand movements and comes in an intense, deep red tone. I wanted to place prominence on the hands, such as in reality and used its complementary color of green, but muted, to create a stunning contrast. The hands also have a green undertone to create unity within the icons.