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The 9 head gestures, named by those well-versed in the rules of natyashastra are called the shirobhedas. The shirobheda shloka is as follows:

Samamudvahitam adhomukhamalolitam dhutam||
Kampitam cha paravrittamutkshiptam parivaahitam||
Navadhaa kathitam sheersham natayashastravisharadaiha||

The explanation of each shirobheda alongwith its shloka is given below:

  1. SAMA: Nishchalam samam akhyatam yatnatyunnati varjitam|
    Nrityarambhe japadou cha garwe pranaya kopayoh||
    Stambhane nishkriyatwe cha samashirsha mudarhatam|
    MEANING: When the head is motionless or straight, not bent or raised.
    USES: Samam is used in the beginning of the dance, in sitting for prayers, in pride, feigned anger of love, stupefication and cessation of action.

 

  1. UDVAHITAM: Udvaahita shiro jneya murdhdhwabhaga unnataananam|
    Dhwaje chandre cha gagane parwate vyomagamishu||
    Tungavastuni samyojya mudvahito budhaiha|
    MEANING: When the face is raised, it is in udvahita position
    USES: Flag, moon, sky, mountain, flying or celestial bodies moving in the sky and very high objects are shown with udvahitam.

 

  1. ADHOMUKHAM: Adhasthanamita vaktra madhomukhamiritam|
    Lajja kheda pranameshu dushchinta murchhayoh tatha||
    Adhasthitartha nirdeshe yujyate ambunimajjane|
    MEANING: When the face is cast down, the head is in adhomukham position.
    USES: Shyness, sorrow, bowing to elders, evil thoughts, fainting, looking at objects on the earth, taking a dip in the water are denoted with adhomukham.

 

  1. ALOLITAM: Mandalakara mudbhranta malolitam shiro bhavet||
    Nidrodwega grahaavesha madamurchhasu tanmatam|
    Bhramane vikatodaama hasye calolitam sirah||
    MEANING: When the head moves in a circle, it becomes alolitam sirah.
    USES: To denote sleepiness, possessed by an evil spirit, ego, fainting, intoxication, following objects traveling above the head and wild, uncontrollable laughter is denoted by alolitam.

 

  1. DHUTAM: Vamadakshina bhageshu chalitam tatdhutam siah|
    Nastiti vachane bhuyah parsawadeshsaavalokane||
    Jaashwaase vismaye cha vishade anipsite tathaa|
    Sitarte jwarite bheete sadyah peetaasave tatha||
    Yuddhe yatne nishedhe cha amarshe swaangaveekshane|
    Paarsawaahane cha tasyoktaha prayogo bharataadibhih||
    MEANING: When the head is moved to and fro from left to right and right to left, it is dhutam shirah.
    USES: Denial, looking to the sides, discussing with /consoling people, astonishment, sadness, unwillingness, effect of cold, fever, drinking liquor, making efforts for battle, rejection/refusal, glancing at one’s own limbs, summoning from both sides.

 

  1. KAMPITAM: Urdhwaadhobhaaga chalitam tacchirah kampitam bhavet|
    Roshe tishtheti vachane prashne samkhyopahutayoh ||
    Aavaahane tarjane cha kampitam viniyujyte|
    MEANING: When the head is shaken up and down, it is called kampitam sirah.
    USES: Anger/ offence, to say halt, questioning, summoning, inviting the deities, threatening.

 

  1. PARAVRITTAM: Paranmukhikritam shirsham paraavrittameeritam|
    Tatkaaryam kopalajjaadikrite vaktraapasarane||
    Anaadare kache tunyam paraavritta siro bhavet|
    MEANING: When the head is quickly turned to one side, it is called paraavrittam.
    USES: Commanding, anger, shyness, turning the face away, slighting/aversion, catching one’s own hair and quivering.

 

  1. UTKSHIPTAM: Paarshwordhwabhaaga calitam utkshiptam kathyate sirah|
    Grhaanaagacche etyaadaartha sucane pariposhane||
    Angigaare prayoktavya mutkshiptam naama seershakam|
    MEANING: When the head is turned to a side and raised, it becomes utkshipta sirah.
    USES: To command or request, cherishing or supporting, assent or acceptance.

 

  1. PARIVAAHITAM: Paarswayoh caamaramivanatam cet parivaahitam|
    Mohe ca virahe stotre samtoshe cha anumodane||
    Vichaare cha prayoktavyam parivaahita seershakam|
    MEANING: When the head is moved side to side very fast, it is called Parivaahitam.
    USES: Infatuation, yearning for the separated lover, praising the deities, satisfaction, approval, deep thinking in sorrow or reflection.

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