The Pathway of 9 Expressions and Emotions- Navrasa

यथो हस्त तथो दृष्टि

Wherever your hands go, your eyes will follow

यथो दृष्टि तथो मनः

Wherever your eyes go, your mind will follow

यथो मनः तथो भाव

Wherever your mind goes, there will be expression of inner feeling

यथो भाव तथो रस

Where there is expression shown, there will be sentiment evoked

– नाट्य शास्त्र

(Natya Shastra)

It is a well-known fact that dance is a form of non-verbal communication. One communicates through their gestures, movements and expressions. No form of art can convey or make their audience connect to the story’s core without expressions. Natya shastra recognizes 9 expressions or sentiments, popularly known as Navrasa where ‘nav’ means nine and ‘rasa’ is derived from the Sanskrit word rasa which means essence. There are 9 navrasa recognized by Natyashastra that are, adbhut, bhayanak, bhibhista, hasya, karuna, rudra, shant, sringara and veer.

Adbhut

Adbhut depicts wonder. Humans have always been curious about things around them. They always try to understand what things depict and takes us to wonder, ‘how’. The rasa is connected to Gandharva.

Bhayanak

Bhayanak depicts fear. Fear is a powerful experience that is real, strong, and primal. This rasa is connected to Kala.

Bhibista

Bhibista depicts disgusts. Poor manners, vulgarity, disappointment is all it stands for. This rasa depicts Mahakal which is a form of Lord Shiva.

Hasya

Hasya depicts humour. Through humour your brain can be fooled into pleasure and improve your fitness. This rasa is connected to the deity Pramatha.

Karuna

Karuna depicts compassion. Compassion is defined as the feeling that emerges when you are confronted with the suffering of the other and feel encouraged to mitigate that suffering. Karuna rasa is connected to Yama.

Raudra

Raudra depicts anger. Anger is a feeling that informs one when there might be something wrong. It may include a wide spectrum of emotions. Raudra is connected to Rudra.

Shant

Shant depicts serenity or peace. Serenity is the ultimate feeling of calmness and relaxation that we look out in the world outside and inside. Shant is connected to Narayana.

Sringara

Sringara depicts delight and erotica. Sringara's sense is love and also suggests a profound and intimate romantic relationship with the people. The rasa is connected to Lord Vishnu.

Veer

Veer depicts courage and heroic. Heroic refers to brave persons or mythical characters of historical mythological. The rasa is connected to Indra.

The rasa overlaps each other, they blend to create a story that can reach and understood by the audience. Just like a chappan bhog thaali with so many different cuisines are a delight to eat, in the same way rasa when used in a creative and beautiful manner makes the performance more alluring and delightful.