NAVA RASANAVA RASARasa is a Sanskrit word, which stands for taste or inclination for a thing. Rasa also means sap, juice. In poetic expression, the rasa is used to describe pathos, emotion and feeling. The rasas are instrumental in amalgamating the performer, the performance and the spectator.Rasas have occupied the most important place in Indian classical dances. Bharata, who learnt the art of dance from Lord Siva and the philosophy of Rasa Sastra from Nandikesvara, created the Natya Sastra (the ancient treatise on the Laws of Dance). He speaks of the Nava Rasas (nava means nine) or the nine emotions as the basis of all classical Indian dance, music and theatre.I have always been intrigued and fascinated by the Nava Rasa theory. I believe that though many changes have come about in the various dance, theatre and music forms, the underlying nine rasas remain unaltered through the ages. They are universal. Recently I tried to interpret these rasas. In doing so, I created a story in order to unfold the various rasas. It ended up being quite autobiographical.The Nava Rasa is performed by Sandhya Sanjana [vocals & compositions] Matthieu Safatly [cello & prepared cello] and Heiko Dijker [tabla and percussion]1. Nava Rasa Shloka : an introduction which names all the nine rasas.
2. Shringaara : Beauty, love, ectasy, aesthetics
Woman meets man, they fall in love, get married...life is ecstatic3. Haasya : Laughter, humour, the basis for wisdom
They see the brighter side of life, humour grants them wisdom.4. Karunaa : Compassion
A child is born, mother's love, her caring nature, a lullaby5. Raudra : Anger
Things go wrong, she feels unjustly treated, she struggles to find her own voice in the relationship, an angry outburst6. Veera : Courage
She seeks and then finds the courage to leave him after every attempt to reconcile has failed7. Bhayaanaka : Fear
She is alone, grappling with the demons of her guilt at leaving, fear of the future/the unknown8. Vibhatsa : Revulsion
She experiences revulsion at the absurdity of many situations in life9. Adbhuta : Wonder, amazement, terrific
She encounters spirituality, the awesome beauty of her own divinity/devotion10. Shaanta : Peace
With her newly awakened spirituality, she finds the peace within to continue on life's path again
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