GESTERS

GESTUERS

 WHAT IS NAVARASA EXPRESSIONS IN BHARATANATYAM?

Rasa is about human state of mind. Its about what the mind feels and the expression of the feeling thereafter. In the Bharata’s Natyashastra, Rasa is an emotion experienced by the audience created by the facial expression or the Bhava of the actor. In indian classical dance it is referred to as Rasa-abhinaya.

Mr V.P Dhananjayan in his book called “A Dancer on Dance” says Rasa means that which is being tasted or enjoyed. Hence the word Rasika is employed to denote connoisseurs. Now, the question might be asked whether Rasa comes from Bhava or Bhava from Rasa. Bhava means, that which becomes (bh00, bhav, i.e., to become), so Bhava becomes Rasa. But Rasa does not become Bhava. There is also this complementary effect on the dancer or actor.

Every Rasa corresponds to a particular Bhava. The Natyshastra has carefully described the Bhavas used to create Rasa. The following table states the nine moods (Navarasa) and the corresponding Bhava. Every Rasa is identified with a specific colour for the use in performing arts.

RASA	BHAVA	MEANING	COLOUR
Shringar(Erotic)	Rati	Delight	Pale Light Green
Hasya (Humorous)	Hasa	Laughter	White
Karuna (Pathetic)	Shoka	Sorrow	Grey
Raudra (Terrible)	Krodh	Anger	Red
Veera (Heroic)	Utsaha	Heroism	PaleOrange
Bhayanaka (Fearful)	Bhaya	Fear	Black
Bibhatsa (Odious)	Jugupsa	Disgust	Blue
Adbhuta (Wonderous)	Vismaya	Wonder	Yellow
Shanta (Peaceful)	Calm	Peace	White

EYE MOVEMENTS IN BHARATANATYAM:

Drishthi in sanskrit meaning “Vision”. In relation to our eyes it means “sight” or “to see”. The classification of these eye movements are based on how we move the eye balls. Infact we use each of them in our every day routine. Just a matter of identifying with their names. There are eight types of Eye movements given in the shastras:

1. Sama:  Eye kept still without any movement.

2. Alokita: Rolling your eye balls in a circular pattern.

3. Saachi: Looking through the corner of the eyes.

4. Pralokita: moving your eyes side to side.

5. Nimilita:  It looks like a half shut eye. Here one tries to focus the eye ball towards the heart.

6. Ullokita: Looking upwards.

7. Anuvritta: Rapid movement of the eyes up and down.

8. Avalokita: Looking down.

HEAD MOVEMENTS IN BHARATANATYAM:

Head movements are also called Shirobheda. Shira or shirasa meaning ” Head” in sanskrit. The head  movements refer to the head positions, while expressing a particular bhava. There are Nine head movements.

1. Sama : The head kept straight
2. Udvahitam : Head Looking upwards
3. Adhomukham : Looking Down
4. Alolitam: Circular Movement of the head
5. Dhutam: Right to left movement of the head
6. Kampitam: Up and down nod of the head
7. Paravrittam: Brisk turning of the head to the right or left
8. Ukshiptam: Head is turned and raised or a slanting position of the head.
9. Parivahittam: Quick small shakes of the head.