Navras (Basic Emotions) in Kathak - Indian Classical
Dance
The Natya Shastra (the main book written by
sage Bharata dealing with theatre and acting) enumerates nine
rasas which are sentiments or emotional states. Read
more...
The Natya Shastra (the main book written by sage Bharata
dealing with theatre and acting) enumerates nine rasas which
are sentiments or emotional states. These nine types of
sentiments are also used in Kathak and together they cover all
kinds of experiences that we can normally experience in our day
to day life. Following is a list of all Rasas, their meaning,
associated color, associated god or goddesses and my pictures
showing you these Navrasas.
The dancers originate Rasa through Bhavas and therefore
Rasas have been considered subordinate to Bhavas. The mental
state of human being is called Bhava. The artist who is able to
produce this mental state swiftly is considered as competent.
Each Rasa is associated with a sthayee (permanent) Bhava.
First Ras: SHRINGAR, Meaning:
Love
Deity: Vishnu, Color: Light Green |
|
Its sthayee Bhav is Rati (affection or
love).
(a) Alamban - Meeting with or separation
from the beloved or achievement of desired
object.
(b) Vaibhav - To embellish oneself,
application of Sandal, desired food, not to act
in an opposite manner.
(c) Anubhav - Smile, to point towards etc
Second Ras: VIR, Meaning: Heroism
|
 |
Second Ras: VIR, Meaning:
Heroism
Deity: Indra, Color: Light Orange |
 |
When upon seeing a character or scene the
feeling of courage emanates in the heart, then
it is called Veer Rasa. Its Sthayee Bhava is
utsah (Excitment).
(a) Alamban - Breaking of bow by Rama,
seating of Rama and Lakshman by Hanuman on his
shoulder, lifting of wheel by Krishna to kill
Bheeshma etc.
(b) Vibhav—Absence of sorrow, chivalry,
strength, patience etc.
(c) Anubhav—Stability, patience, shrewdness,
pride etc.
|
Third Ras: Karuna, Meaning:
Pity/Pathos
Deity: Yama, Color: Ash |
|
If grief is caused by seeing a character or
scene, the feeling is called Karun Rasa. Its
Sthayee Bhava is Shoka (grief)
(a)Alamban - Death, loss of wealth, fall,
injury etc.
(b) Vibhav - To become sorry and thrash
hands and feet, feeling of sorrow,
repentance
(c) Anubhav - Loss of voice, falling on
ground, numbness etc.
|
 |
Fourth Ras: Hasya, Meaning:
Humor
Deity: Pramatha, Color: White |
 |
When upon seeing or hearing any person/
object/scene one laughs/feel like laughing it
is called Hasya Rasa. The Sthayee bhava of this
Rasa is Hasya (Laughter).
(a) Alaniban - Laughable Shringar, posture,
act of foolishness.
(b) Vibhav - To ape a person, itching on the
neck etc.
(c) Anubhav - To make faces, twisting of
body parts, jumping in an awkward manner
etc.
|
Fifth Ras: Adbhuta, Meaning:
Wonder
Deity: Brahma, Color: Yellow |
|
When upon seeing any person, object or
scene, there is a feeling of-surprise, it is
called Adbhut Rasa. Its Sthayee bhava is
Vismaya (surprise)
(a) Alamban - to see an object which causes
surprise, to see gods, bearing of a mountain by
Hanumanji
(b) Vibhav - Strange object, supernatural
character etc.
(c) Anubhav - Widening of eyes, still
eyelids, flowing of teats etc.
|
Sixth Ras: Rudra, Meaning:
Anger
Deity: Rudra, Color: Red |
|
When on account of insult, opposition, the
anger in the heart intensifies and acquires the
form of Rasa, it is called Roudra Rasa. Its
Sthayee Bhava is Krodh (anger)
(a) Alamban - Enemy, traitor, ill behaved, ill
spoken.
(b) Vibhav - to arrest the enemy, quarrel,
fight, to reply to opposition.
(c) Anubhav - blowing of nostrils, sighing,
raising of eye brows, bite the lips.
|
 |
Seventh Ras: Bhay, Meaning:
Terror
Deity: Kala, Color: Black |
 |
When upon seeing an object or scene fear is
generated in the heart, the feeling is called
Bhayanak Rasa. Its Sthayee Bhav is Bhaya
(fear)
(a) Alamban - Facing a beast, reaching in a
strange position.
(b) Vibhav - Deep anxiety, empty house,
darkness, catching electric current
(c) Anubhav - Trembling hand and feet,
numbness, dryness of mouth, running away
weeping
|
Eights Ras: Bibhatsa, Meaning:
Disgust
Deity: Shiva as Mahakala, Color: Blue |
|
When upon seeing any object, person or scene
a feeling of hatred is created and it is called
Veebhatsa Rasa. Its Sthayee bhava is Ghrina
(hatred).
(a) Alamban - Aftermath of war where
mutilated bodies are lying. Place full of
stench.
(b) Vibhav - Flesh pieces, stinking objects,
drinking of blood
(c) Anubhav - To turn the face in disgust,
contract the nose.
|
 |
Ninth Ras: Shant, Meaning:
Peace/Serenity
Deity: Narayana, Color: Very light Red |
 |
When upon seeing a person/object/scene a
sense of peace or tranquility is created that
feeling is called Shaftta Rasa. Its. Sthayee
bhava is 'Nirved' (Tranquility).
(a) Alamban—Knowledge of immortality,
knowledge of God etc.
(b) Vibhav—Holy place, hermitage, Teertha,
Dead Person, Crematorium etc.
(c) Anubhav—Downcast eyes, vision of Brahma,
etc.
|
|
Facebook