Question

What does the term “rasa” refer to in Indian theatre

Answer 1

In Indian theatre, the term "rasa" refers to the aesthetic or emotional flavor or sentiment evoked in the audience through the performance of certain emotions by the actors. It can be understood as the essence or mood created by the artistic elements of a theatrical production, such as music, dance, dialogues, costumes, and gestures. Rasa is considered to be an integral part of traditional Indian performing arts, particularly in classical forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, and Odissi. There are nine primary rasas, including love (shringara), anger (roshana), compassion (karuna), joy (haasya), valor (veer), disgust (bhibatsa), fear (bhayanak), wonder (adbhuta), and tranquility (shaanta). The concept of rasa is also explored in Indian aesthetics and literary theory.