Navarasas- The Essence of Performing Arts
Posted on September 19, 2008 in Art & Culture by Lalita
The word ‘rasa’ means ‘essence’. In Indian dance and theatre, nine rasas are defined. These are one of the main elements of a performance, evoking a particular emotion through expressions. These expressions are called ‘Bhavas’. The Navarasas or the nine rasas have their basis as the bhavas.
There are eight bhavas in Indian dance and theatre. They are Rati, Hasya, Soka, Krodha, Utshaha, Bhaya, Jugupsa and Vismaya. The existence of these eight bhavas evokes emotions in the audiences. This is the rasa of the performance. According to the bhava, their respective rasas are given rise to.
The Navarasas of Indian Dance and Theatre are as follows.
Shringara- Shringara is the flavor of beauty and love. This is the emotion of love- love between a man and a woman. This beautiful emotion evokes the Shringara rasa. Proper expression of this bhava brings in the feeling of love and passion in the hearts of the audience.
Hasya- Hasya plainly means laughter. The hasya rasa uses the hasya bhava to bring about the essence of humor in the audience. This rasa brings about the emotions of happiness and joy.
Bhibhatsya- It is the feeling of disgust. Disgust towards something that is below human dignity brings about this rasa. The expression is that of a sickening feeling at the sight of something not accepted to be graceful.
Rowdra- The essence of anger is Rowdra rasa. Anger in all its faces translates to rowdra. In Narasimha’s anger towards Hiranyakashipa or Shiva’s tandava, it is all rowdra.
Shantha- The state of peace and calm is Shantha. The calm after the end of evil, the calmness in the meditation of a Rishi- these express the rasa of shantha. The rasa is brought out beautifully when the act is put up convincingly.
Veera- Heroism and bravery are the expression in the veera bhava. Heroic victories of good over evil, the killing of Hiranyakashipa or Ravana contain these rasas in abundance.
Bhaya- The feeling of fear is what the bhaya rasa is all about. The fear that Sita has when she is taken away by Ravana, Draupadi’s fear during the cheer-haran, also, the Demon’s fear when Durga came to kill him bring out the feeling of bhaya.
Karuna- The feeling of compassion is karuna. When the characters of an act express compassion towards another, the rasa of karuna is brought about. The compassion og Gods with their devotees have this bhava inherent in them.
Adbhutha- The essence of wonder is the rasa of adbhutha. When something absolutely unexpected or strange happens, this bhava is introduced into the scene. Also when something remarkable happens, like winning a battle also show the same bhava.
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October 4th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Dear madam,
It’s very good, but in ur blog something is missing….
that is PHOTOS. May be i’m right or worng, I don’t know, but Plz… add photos………..na
sothat, evrybody could see all those nine rasas
thanQ