Shiro Bhedam (Head gestures)

"Atha nava vidha shirobedha lakshyante

Samam Udhvahitam Adhomukham
Alolitam Dhutam Kampitam cha
Paravruttam Ukshiptam Parivahitam
Navadha katitam shirsham natya shastra vichakshanai
Samam (level): The head when it is motionless but is not bent or raised up is named Samam.
Uses: Samam head is used at the beginning of Nrtya, in sitting for prayers etc, in pride and
feigned anger of love, stupefaction and cessation from action.
Udhvahita (raised-up): When the face is raised up, the head is named Udhvahita. Uses: In
denoting a flag, the moon, the sky, a mountain, (bodies) moving in the sky or skywards, and
very high objects, the wise people use the Udhvahita head.
Adhomukha (down-cast face): When the face is cast down, the head is called Adhomukha.
Uses: In denoting bashfulness, grief, bowing, anxiety, fainting, things placed below, and a
plunge in water, this head is used.
Alolita (rolling): when the head is moved round it is called Alolita.
Uses: In denoting sleepiness, possession by an evil spirit, intoxication, fainting, travelling, a
wild and uncontrolled laughter, this head is used.
Dhuta (shaken sideways): When the head is moved from the left side to the right one and
vice-versa, the head is called Dhuta.
Uses: In denoting 'It does not exist', looking repeatedly sideways, discouraging others,
astonishment, sadness, unwillingness, effect of cold and fever, fear, the first of drinking
liquor, battle effort, forbidding, revenge, glancing at one's own limbs and calling one from
sides, this head is used.
Kampita (nodded): When the head is shaken up and down it is called Kampita.
Uses: To denote the offence taken, saying 'Do stop', enquiry, hinting, calling from near,
calling the deities, and threatening, this head is used
Paravruttam(turned-round): When the face is turned round, the head is called Paravrutta.
Uses: In denoting the command 'that should be done', anger, shame, turning away the face,
slighting, hair (or the head), and a quiver, this head is used.

Ukshipta (thrown-up): When the head is turned aside and then raised up, it is called Ukshipta.
Uses: To denote the command or request 'Take this' or 'come', the supporting of (something)
and acceptance, this head is used.
Parivahita (widely moved): When the head is moved from side to side like a chauri, the head
is called Parivahita.
Uses: In denoting infatuation, yearning for the separated lover, uttering the praise of deity,
satisfaction, approval and cogitation, this head is used.