Indian Knowledge System (IKS)

Name of college :- Maharani Shree Nandkunverba Mahila Arts and Commerce College

Name : Alpa B Gohel
Year : F.Y - BA [Sem 1]
Subject: Indian Knowledge System [IKS]
Date : 5th October 2025
Professor : Rachana Miss

TOPIC: NATYA SHASHTRA AND RASA THEORY BY BHARAT MUNI

Author: Sage Bharat Muni
Period: Around 200 BCE – 200 CE
Country: Bharat

Overview:
The Natya Shastra is an ancient Sanskrit text considered the foundation of Indian performing arts — drama, dance, and music. It contains around 6,000 verses divided into 36 chapters. Bharat Muni wrote it to explain how performance can educate, entertain, and spiritually uplift audiences.

Main Ideas:
Origin of Drama: Created by the gods as a combination of the four Vedas — speech from Rigveda, music from Samaveda, acting from Yajurveda, and emotion from Atharvaveda.

Rasa Theory: Central concept — the essence of emotions. There are nine rasas (Navarasa) like love (śṛṅgāra), anger (raudra), joy (hāsya), sorrow (karuṇa), etc.

Elements of Performance: Covers stage design, costumes, gestures (mudras), voice modulation, makeup, and expressions.

Purpose: To guide actors, dancers, and playwrights in creating performances that inspire harmony and understanding in society.

Significance in IKS:
The Natya Shastra blends aesthetic theory, psychology, ethics, and spirituality, making it a perfect example of India’s holistic approach to art and knowledge. It shows how art was seen not just as entertainment, but as a path to inner growth and social well-being.


RASA THEORY – By Bharat Muni

1. Meaning of Rasa
The word ‘Rasa’ in Sanskrit means essence, juice, or flavour.
In art, it means the emotional flavour or feeling that the audience experiences while watching a performance.

Bharat Muni explained that drama or dance is successful only when it creates a certain emotion (Rasa) in the audience’s heart.

2. The Process of Rasa
According to Bharat Muni:
Rasa is born when emotions are expressed by the performer and understood by the audience.

It involves three main parts:
1. Vibhava (Cause) – The situation or cause that creates emotion.
Example: Seeing a loved one.

2. Anubhava (Effect) – The visible expression or reaction.
Example: Smiling, blushing, or shedding tears.

3. Vyabhichari Bhava (Supporting emotion) – Temporary or helping feelings.
Example: Hope, anxiety, excitement, etc.

Together, these produce Rasa — the final emotional experience.

THE NINE RASAS (Navarasa)
Bharat Muni described nine basic Rasas, each representing a key human emotion.

1. Śṛṅgāra (Love)
Meaning: Love, beauty, attraction
Colour: Light Green
Example: Romance

2. Hāsya (Laughter)
Meaning: Joy, humour
Colour: White
Example: Comedy

3. Karuṇa (Compassion)
Meaning: Sorrow, pity
Colour: Grey
Example: Sad scenes

4. Raudra (Anger)
Meaning: Fury, aggression
Colour: Red
Example: Battle, rage

5. Vīra (Heroism)
Meaning: Courage, bravery
Colour: Golden
Example: Acts of valor

6. Bhayānaka (Fear)
Meaning: Terror, anxiety
Colour: Black
Example: Horror, danger


7. Bībhatsa (Disgust)
Meaning: Hatred, aversion
Colour: Blue
Example: Unpleasant sight

8. Adbhuta (Wonder)
Meaning: Amazement, curiosity
Colour: Yellow
Example: Magic, surprise

9. Śānta (Peace)
Meaning: Calmness, spiritual contentment
Colour: Light Blue
Example: Meditation

Note: The addition of Śānta Rasa is generally attributed to Abhinavagupta, the 10th–11th century Kashmiri philosopher and aesthetician.

He expanded and interpreted Bharat Muni’s Natya Shastra in his commentary “Abhinavabharati”.

Śānta Rasa represents peace, tranquility, and spiritual bliss, completing the Navarasa framework.

Notable Performers & Scholars Related to Natya Shastra
1. Rukmini Devi Arundale – Revived Bharatanatyam and brought classical dance to modern audiences.

2. Balasaraswati – Legendary Bharatanatyam dancer known for expressive abhinaya (emotional expressions).

3. Shobana – Contemporary Bharatanatyam performer and actress, praised for Navarasa portrayals.

4. Kelucharan Mohapatra – Master of Odissi dance, deeply inspired by Natya Shastra principles.

5. Padma Subrahmanyam – Innovator and researcher, combining Bharatanatyam and Natya Shastra theory.

6. Uday Shankar – Pioneer of modern Indian dance, integrating classical and folk forms.

7. Kuchipudi and Kathak performers – e.g., Vempati Chinna Satyam (Kuchipudi), Birju Maharaj (Kathak), who followed Natya Shastra guidelines for abhinaya.

AIM OF RASA THEORY
Bharat Muni believed that art is not just for fun — it helps people feel emotions deeply and learn about life.

Through drama or dance, audiences experience many emotions and finally reach Śānta Rasa (peace) — a calm, spiritual state.

So, the goal of performance is to elevate the soul through emotion and beauty.

IMPORTANCE OF RASAS IN INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
Rasa Theory links psychology, art, and spirituality.

It shows that performing arts were seen as a path to emotional balance and enlightenment.

It inspired all later Indian art forms — dance, music, poetry, and cinema.
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