According to Hasthalakshanadeepika, the classical treatise on dances, there are 24 basic mudras or hand signs used in Kerala dances. These Mudras are used in the classical dance dramas of Kerala, like Kathakali, Kutiyattam, Nangiarkoothu, Mohiniyattam and Ottanthullal.

Holding the index finger straight with other three fingers folded into the palm and the thumb touching the tips of the three fingers is Suchikaamukha.

Some signs shown in the Suchikaamukha mode using both palms indicate : Sever, jump up, world, Lord Lakshmana, to fall down, another one, mouth, eyebrow, shatter and tail.

Using one palm indicates : A single person, sad, indeed, corpse, stranger, plural, ear, art, long ago, this one, these ones, kingdom, a little, witness, refuse, come on and go.