Previse 2024: Nine Rasa in Natyashastra

Why important for Prelims 2024?

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 was hosted by India, and the logo depicted NAVARASA, signifying the nine emotions audiences experience during a match.

The nine emotions in the CWC23 Navarasa are joy, power, pride, bravery, anguish, respect, glory, wonder and passion. 

Here are the nice Rasa-Bhava in Natyashastra:

Rasa-Bhava 

• Rasa-Bhava is the central concept in Indian performing arts such as dance, drama, cinema, literature etc. 
• Bhava means “to become” and it is the state of mind while Rasa is the aesthetic flavor that results from that Bhava. 
• Rasa is a form and manifestation of Bhava with multitude of sensations through taste, emotion, and delight, invoked in the audience. 
• The Rasa-Bhava is what establishes a relationship between the performer and the audience.
• Nandikeshwara’s Abhinaya Darpana depicts the three basic elements of dance- Nritta (basic dance steps), Natya (dramatic representation) and Nritya (sentiments and emotions evoked through dance). 
• Bharata Muni enunciated eight Rasas in the Natyasastra, an ancient Sanskrit text of drama theory.
• According to Natyasastra, each rasa has a presiding deity and a specific color.
• There are 4 pairs of rasas. For eg- Hasya arises out of Sringara.

Initially, there were eight rasas, but a ninth rasa was added later and was accepted by the majority of the Alankarikas after some time. This gave rise to the expression “Navarasa” which are -

Let us look at them one by one...

Sringara or Romance

• It depicts love and attractiveness. The presiding deity is Vishnu, and the main colour is light green.

Hasyam or Laughter

• It depicts mirth and comedy. The presiding deity is Shiva, and the main colour is white.

Raudram or Fury

• It depicts anger. The presiding deity is Shiva and the main color is red.

Karuṇyam or Compassion

• It depicts mercy. The presiding deity is Yama and the main color is gray.

Bibhatsam or Disgust

• It depicts aversion. The presiding deity is Shiva and the main color is blue.

Bhayanakam or Horror

• It depicts terror. The presiding deity is Yama and the main color is black.

Veeram or Valour

• It depicts valour. The presiding deity is Indra and the main colour is saffron.

Adbhutam or Wonder

• It depicts amazement. The presiding deity is Brahma and the main color is yellow.

Santam or Peace

• It depicts tranquility. The presiding deity is Vishnu and the main color is perpetual white.

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