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.
