Facets of Indian Classical Dance - III: Rasa & Navarasas

RASA

Rasa is the primary and most important element of dance i.e. the sentiment or the emotional flavour which arouses interest amongst the audience. When a combination of Sthayibhavas come together, Rasa is produced. Sthayibhava (I will explain this further in the posts to follow) is the permanent or established state of mind. The dancer utilizes the 4 elements of Abhinaya along with Sthayibhava and hence the spectator enjoys the performance.

Some say that the Rasas are derived from Sthayibhavas while some say otherwise. But like I mentioned earlier, Bhavas and Rasas are complementary. The terms are interchangeable according to the situation. The only point to note is that when one enjoys the Abhinaya it can be called Rasa , otherwise it is Sthayibhava.

Rasas are divided into nine and are hence called the NAVARASAS (Nava ~ 9).

•  Sringara (Love & Beauty)
• Hasya (Joy or Mirth)
• Karuna (Grief & Compassion)
• Roudram (Anger)
• Veera (Courage)
• Bhayanaka (Fear)
• Bheebhatsa (Disgust)
• Adbhutha (Wonder)
• Shantam (Tranquility)

Video of Navarasas 

It is said that Hasya, Karuna, Adbhutha and Bhayanaka are a result  of Sringara , Raudra, Veera and Bheebhatsa. Each of these Navarasas has its very own Presiding Deity, its own Sthayibhava, Sthayidrishti (steady glances), Rasadrishti (glances according to emotions), Colours, Ragam (melody) and Swaram (musical notes). All these details for each Navarasa have been encapsulated in the table below:-

Navarasas ---	Sringara	Hasya	Karuna	Roudra	Veera	Bhayanaka	Bheebhatsa	Adbhutha	Shantam
Presiding Deity	Vishnu	Pramata	Yama	Rudra	Indra	Kala	Shiva	Brahma	-
Sthayibhava	Rati (pleasure)	Haasa (smile)	Shoka (grief)	Krodha (rage)	Utsaha (excited)	Bhaya (fear)	Jugupsa (contempt)	Vismaya (amazement)	Shama (control)
Sthayidrishti	Snighda (loving)	Hrishta (happiness)	Dheena (illness)	Krudha (wrath)	Dhambha (pride)	Bhaya (fear)	Jugupsitha (revulsion)	Vimistha (wonder)	Nirvedham (tranquil)
Rasadrishti	Kantha (beauty)	Hrishta (happiness)	Dheena (illness)	Krudha (wrath)	Dhambha (pride)	Bhaya (fear)	Jugupsitha (revulsion)	Vismitha (wonder)	-
Colour	Green	White	Brown	Red	Gold	Black	Blue	Yellow	-
Swara S R G M P D N S	Panchamam (P)	Madhyamam (M)	Gandharam (G) Nishadamam (N)	Rishabham (R)	Shadjam (S)	Dhaivatham (D)	Dhaivatham (D)	Rishabham (R)	-
Ragam	Bhoopalam (Kalyani, Sankarabharam, Neelambari, Kamas)	Vasanta	Phalamanjari (Mukhari, Punnagavarali, Anandabhairavi, Ahari)	Bhairavi & Sarangam	Natai (Panduvarali, Kedaragoula)	Malavi	Sreeragam	Bangala & Shyama	Bhoopalam, Nandanamakriya, & Chenchuruti

Sanchari Bhavas
These are the transitory states of mind associated with the Rasas and are 33 in number.  Sanchari Bhavas will be explained in detail much later (I will be mentioning them in the explanation of the Navarasas given further below). Currently, I shall be basically sharing their meanings as seen just below:

1.     Nirveda – Detachment due to jealousy, sadness
2.     Glani – Torment
3.     Alasya – Indolence
4.     Shrama – Hardwork/Fatigue
5.     Shanka – Doubt/Apprehension
6.     Asooya – Envy
7.     Mada – Intoxication
8.     Dainya – Helplessness
9.     Chintha – Anxiety
10.     Moha – Perplexity
11.     Unmada – Insanity
12.     Avahita – Dissimulation
13.     Dhrithi – Firmness
14.     Smrithi – Recollection
15.     Mathi – Determination
16.     Vreeda (Lajja) – Shame
17.     Chapalya – Inconsiderate
18.     Jadya – Stupor
19.     Ugrata – Ferocity/ Violence
20.     Amarsha – Indignation
21.     Garv – Arrogance/Pride
22.     Harsha – Joy
23.     Outhsukya – Eagerness/Enthusiasm
24.     Nidra – Sleepiness
25.     Prabodha – Enlightenment
26.     Supthi – Slumber/Dreaming
27.     Vyadhi – Sickness
28.     Apasmara – Forgetfulness
29.     Thrasa – Fear/Terror
30.     Marana – Death
31.     Vishadha - Dejection
32.     Vitharka – Argument
33.     Avegha – Agitation

Explanation of the Navarasas

SRINGARA

Sringara

Sringara rasa can be interpreted as love (romantic/erotic), attractiveness or beauty. Most of the compositions of classical dance revolve around the relationship between a man and woman. The romantic relationship between two lovers is often taken as an allegory for the bond between the mortal and divine. Hence the foremost emotion produced is Sringara.  Sringara is referred to as “the Mother of All Rasas” in Indian classical dance. This is because Sringara has the possibility to give rise to a variety of emotions including envy, rage, empathy, fear and the expression of sensuality. The sub-rasas of Sringara are admiration, aesthetic sentiment and devotion.

Sringara does not necessarily have to be romantic love. It can also depict parental love which is called Vatsalya Sringara . The devotion of a mortal for the divine is called Bhakti Sringara. Sringara is classified into two types:

•  Sambhoga sringara
• Vipralambha sringara

Sambhoga Sringara –  Sambhoga means union. It is the romantic love illustrated when two lovers meet. Here the Nayika describes the beauty of her surroundings and spends time in her garden, enjoying the company of her sweetheart. She adorns herself with clothes and exquisite jewellery, decorates her chamber etc.

·       Representation: Raising the eyebrows and neck slightly, looking coyly and lovingly with a sweet smile.

·         Upangas: Eyebrows,eyes, neck, chin, lips

Vipralambha Sringara – Vipralambha means separation. The despair and the longing of the Nayika at the time of separation from her lord are illustrated here. The various feelings the nayika goes through are longing, sadness & jealousy. 21 Anubhavas (resulting expressions) can be depicted through this type of Sringara. These are Nirveda, Glani, Shanka, Asooya, Shrama, Chinta, Outhsukya, Aavegam, Bhaya, Vishada, Dainya, Nidra, Supthi, Vyaadhi, Vibhodha, Unmaadha, Apasmaara, Moha, Marana & Jadya .

Vipralambha Sringara is further classified into 4 types:

•  Poorva Vipralambha – The first stage of love preceding union
• Para Vipralambha – The lovers are separated from each other even though they are aware of each other’s abode
• Pravaasa Vipralambha – The lovers are separated unaware of each other’s whereabouts
• Eershya Vipralambha – The person is suspicious of his/her lover's fidelity.

HASYA

Hasya

Hasya is the expression of joy or mirth. Humour is the most commonly used human expression. Satire and sarcasm are sub-rasas of Hasya. Hasya is light-heartedness, merriment, laughing, teasing one another, being amused, and being naughty.

Hasya is classified into 2 types basis the target of one's humour:

• Aatmasta (At Self) – When one laughs at oneself
• Parasta (At Others) – When one makes others laugh

The major Sanchari Bhavas associated with Hasya are Avahitha, Alasya, Nidra, Supthi, Prabhodham and Asooya

General Representation: Curling the lips upwards while raising eyebrows with half-closed eyes shows teasing.

Hasya is also classified into 6 types basis the meaning & method behind the portrayal:

Hasya	Meaning	Representation
Smitha	Gentle & controlled smile with elegant glances and and shown generally by well-behaved superior characters  with high morals i.e. Uttama	Smiling beautifully without showing the teeth with cheeks slightly blown out.
Hasitha	Slight laughter by the Uttama character	Eyes and face will be bright and faintly showing the teeth
Vihasitha	Laughing pleasantly with a slight smile &g enerally of cheerful disposition. This is said to be the kind of laughter by ordinary or mediocre characters (neither noble nor evil) i.e. Madhyama	Crinkling eyes & cheeks while smiling with wide lips
Upahasitha	Also by Madhyama. Laughing quite loudly	Laughing by expanding the nostrils, looking slyly & bending the head and shoulders
Apahasitha	Boisterous laugh generally by the evil or unruly character   i.e. Adhama	Laughing loudly with tears trickling and with head & shoulders bend down and shaking.
Athihasitha	Completely over-the top laughter by Adhama	Laughing loudly with tears dropping from expanded eyes, with hands on the hips

KARUNA

Karuna

Karuna ideally means compassion and is the expression of sorrow.  The determinants of Karuna rasa are curse, distress, downfall, death of near or dear ones, misfortunes etc. It can also be due to misfortune happening to oneself or sorrow for others. Karuna’s fundamental feeling is sympathy.

The Sanchari Bhavas of Karunas are Nirvedha, Glani, Chintha, Outhsukya, Aavega,Bhrama, Moha, Thrasam, Aalasya & Marana. It is said that when a person’s emotions of happiness or anger reaches a certain threshold, then the feeling one goes through is sadness.

Representation: Puckering one’s forehead with the eyes looking up with a dejected look; lips pulled down with the head turning to one side slightly.

RAUDRA

Raudra

The irascible emotion that arises in a person when he/she experiences anger, shame, sadness or defeat is Raudra.  Vengeful acts, perfoming deeds with cruel intentions or making others do them on one’s behalf are mainly the consequences of Raudra.  Reprimanding, ill-treatment, abusing, ridiculing, failure & killing - all give rise to Raudra. The Sanchari Bhavas associated with Raudra are Chapalatha, Ugrata, Garv, Romancha (horripilation), callousness, rage & excitement. 

Representation: Raising the eyebrows, reddening and expanding one’s eyes, quivering the area around the eyes and glaring intensely, with the chin set and flared nostrils.

            

VEERA

Veera

Veera means courageous and noble. It is said that Veera is generally seen in the “Uttama” characters. Some of the characteristics associated to Veera are easy-going, hardworking, disciplined, strong, takes initiative, bold, heroism etc . The Sanchari bhavas associated with Veera are Drithi, Mati, Garv & Aavega. 
Veera is classified into 3 types:

• Danaveera – One who is generous and willing to part with anything without any hesitation. E.g. Karna
• Dharmaveera – One who is righteous and virtuous in their words and actions. E.g. Yudhishtra
• Yuddhaveera – Fighting in a battle as a leader without fear of death. E.g. Bheeshma

There are a few more that can be seen:

• Asuraveera – Demon Hero
• Dayaveera – Sympathetic to all
• Lobhaveera – King of Misers

Representation: Having a confident look on the face, with the eyes slightly expanded, eyebrows slightly raised and a small smile on the face.

BHAYANAKA

Bhayanaka

When a person sees, hears or feels anything that instils fear or Bhaya - like seeing horrifying scenes, sensing death, being alone, and/or anticipating heavy loss, it gives rise to Bhayanaka Rasa or the expression of being frightened. It can also be a result of being caught for wrong-doing. When one feels fear, they may be stunned, their voices may change, faces become pale, they start to perspire and shiver. The Sanchari Bhavas associated with Bhayanaka are Shanka, Dainya, Avegha, Chapalatha, Jadya, Thrasa, Apasmara & Marana.

Representation: Slightly crinkle the forehead, expanding the eyes while looking around in fear and flared nostrils, pulling the lips down and shivering and with the shoulder raised a little bit.

BHEEBHATSA

Bheebhatsa

When a person experiences or even thinks of something he/she detests or find themselves in an unpleasant situation whilst sensing something filthy, nasty, cruel, jealous, and/or compulsively dishonest - it gives rise to a feeling of repulsion or Bheebhatsa. The Sanchari Bhavas associated with Bheebhatsa are Apasmara, Avegha, Moha, Vyadhi & Marana.

Representation: Creasing one’s lips & eyebrows and puckering the eyes while tightening the shoulders.

ADBHUTA

Adbhuta

When a person experiences or hears something they think is quite impossible, like seeing someone or something unexpected, hearing strange noises etc. gives rise to an expression of wonder. When one sees extreme gestures of charity, wealth, profound knowledge, beauty of a person or and object, it can also give rise to expressions of amazement and this sometimes results in highly eloquent and praiseworthy pieces in music and dance. It can either be pleasant or unpleasant. The person experiences horripilation, excitement, can sometimes faint with shock (while the face becomes pale), will be stunned, and can become speechless. The Sanchari Bhavas associated with Adbhuta are Avegha, Chapalya, and Dhrithi.

Representation: Raising eyebrows and cheeks, expanding eyes (eyeballs should stand out) and nostrils, while raising and bringing the neck slightly forward

SHANTA

Shanta

When a person experiences a sense of tranquillity i.e. when one is free from desires  & fear, is the feeling of Shanta. Shanta is said to foster salvation i.e. Moksha. A calm state of mind can be achieved when one is patient, generous, service-minded, has a philosophical outlook of life, is pure at heart, has self-control, is peaceful and harmless by nature. The person may be still or may experience horripilation. The Sanchari Bhavas associated with Shanta are Nirveda, Dhrithi, and Smrithi.

Representation:  Basically having no expression on the face.