Rasa (aesthetics)

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For the Tamil language film, see Navarasa (film).
Guru Nātyācārya Māni Mādhava Chākyār performing the Sringāra rasa
Guru Nātyācārya Māni Mādhava Chākyār performing the Sringāra rasa

In Indian performing arts, a rasa is an emotion inspired in an audience by a performer. They are described by Bharata Muni in the Nātyasāstra, an ancient work of dramatic theory. Rasas are created by bhavas: the gestures and facial expressions of the actors.[1]Expressing Rasa in classical Indian dance form is referred to as Rasa-abhinaya. The Nātyasāstra carefully delineates the bhavas used to create each rasa.

Natyasatra describes only eight rasas. The ninth rasa, Santham or tranquil, was suggested by Abhinavagupta on the grounds that actors may need this expression occasionally in their performances.

Originally written for the Sanskrit drama of the age of Kalidasa, the theory of rasas still forms the aesthetic underpinning of all Indian classical dance and theatre, such as Kudiyattam, Bharatha Natyam, and Kathakali.

Contents

[edit] The Navarasas

“ शृन्गाारहास्यकरुणः रौद्रवीरभयानकः

बीभत्साद्भुतशान्ताच्यत्येते नवरसास्मृतः

- The Sanskrit Shloka describing Navarasas[2]

 ”

The nine principal rasas are called the navarasas.

  • Śriṛngāram (शृन्गाारं) (Love or Erotic)
  • Hāsyam (हास्यं) (Comic)
  • Karuṇam (करुणं) (Pathetic or Kindly)
  • Raudram (रौद्रं) (Furious)
  • Vīram (वीरं) (Heroic)
  • Bhayānakam (भयानकं) (Terrible)
  • Bībhatsam (बीभत्सं) (Odious)
  • Adbhutam (अद्भुतं) (Wonderful or Marvelous)
  • Śāntam (शान्तं) (Tranquility)

[edit] The Bhavas

The Natyasastra identifies the first eight rasas with eight corresponding bhava:

  • Rati (Love)
  • Hasya (Mirth)
  • Soka (Sorrow)
  • Krodha(Anger)
  • Utsaha (Energy)
  • Bhaya (Terror)
  • Jugupsa (Disgust)
  • Vismaya (Astonishment)

[edit] Performers

The legendary late Guru Nātyācārya Padma Shri Mani Madhava Chakyar, considered an authority on rasa abhinaya [3] [4], had an exceptional ability for expressing the Navarasas to their fullest extent. His Navarasa expressions are being archived by the Sangeet Natak Academy of India and many museums and institutions all over the world.

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Farley Richmond, "India", in The Cambridge Guide to Asian Theatre, ed. James R. Brandon (Cambridge University Press, 1993), p.69.
  2. ^ Chākyār, Māni Mādhava. Nātyakalpadrumam, Sangeet Natak Academi, New Delhi, 1975
  3. ^ Sruti- India's premier Music and Dance magazine, August 1990 issue (71)
  4. ^ Journal of Madras Music Academy, 1974

[edit] See also

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