Rasa Theory and Natyashastra

Name   : Savani Manisha R.

SEM: II

M.A: I

Paper:  EC-202New criticism

Topics: Rasa Theory and Natyashastra 

                                   Submitted to,

                                                                            Dr, Dilip Barad,

                                                                                       Department of English,

                                                                                         Bhavnager University,

Introduction

                                                                                                                                                       Bharat was first art critic to define rasa us. He must have had in mined Natyasastra and drama when he defined art emotion. He said that rasa is achieved as a result of the functioning of the:

1)     Vibhavas the objective condition causing an emotion,

2)     The anubhavas bodily gestures by which the emotion is expressed.

3)     Vyabhichari bhavas- secondly emotion and sensations which feed the dominant emotion.

4)     Vibhavas include person as well the circumstances that cause or excite the emotion.

What the ancients thought about the name and nature of poetry may be had from the Riks of the Vedas and the of the Upanishads. The Vedic texts declared that the poets were ‘gods’ Kavi was the term they employed. While invoking the foremost of the Gods Ganpati they addressed him as poet’s poet. A human being could become a poet only in so for as he attained to the nature a sates of a god.

The vedic kavi was also a Yogi in the sense that he was absolutely conscious of the process of creation .Apart from the normal consciousll’jagrat’ (the waking states) the Upanishads spoke of subtler states such as swapana (the dream states) susupti (deep sleep) and turiya (the transcendental states) not to mention infraconscious levels. The Upanishadic seer poet could withdraw, ingather or collect, contain and concentrate his consciousness and come out to express his vision and experious. His mental and other instrumental faculties could receive the inspiration in a state of wise passiveness and transcribe it without distortion. He could thus give us the vision and he knew the way to get back to the source and transcript.

Bharat gives us eight kinds of sentiments,

(1)   Erotic

(2)   Comic

(3)   Pathetic

(4)   Furious

(5)   Heroic

(6)   Terrible

(7)   Odious

(8)   Marvelous

These Eight are sentiments named by Brahman, I shall now speak of

(1)Dominant

(2)Transitory

(3)Temperamental states.

Ø The Erotic sentiments:-

The Erotic sentiment proceeds from the Dominant states of love and it has its basis bright attire, for whatever in this word is white, pure, bright and beautiful is appreciated in terms of Dominant state of love.

For Exam:

One who is elegantly dressed is called a lovely person. Just as person persons are named ,after the custom of their father or mother or family in accordance with the traditional authority, so sentiments, the states and other objects connected with drama are given names in pursuance of custom and the traditional authority. It owes its origin to men .Now the terrible sentiment has as its basis the dominant state of fear. And women and relates to the fullness of youth.

Ø The comic sentiment:-

Now the comic sentiment has as its basis the Dominant emotion of laugher. This is created by Determinants such as showing unseemly dress or irrelevant words, mentioning of different faults, and similar other things. This is to be represented on the stage by consequents like the eyes wide or contracting them, perspiration ,color of the face ,and taking hold of the sides. Transitory states in it are indolence, dissimulation, drowsiness, sleep, like. This (sentiment) is of two kinds:

(1) Self-centered

(2)centered in others.

When person himself laughs it relates to the self-centered, but when he makes others laugh it is centered others.

The pathetic sentiment:-

Now the pathetic sentiment arises from the Dominant state of sorrow. It grows from Determinants such as affliction under a curse, separation from dear ones, loss of wealth, death, captivity, flight, accidents or any other misfortune. This is to be represented on the stage by means of consequents such as, shedding tears, lamentation, dryness of the mouth, change of color, dropping limbs, being out of breath, loss of memory and the like. Transitory states connected with it bare indifference, languor, anxiety like.

Ø The Furious sentiment:-

Now the furious sentiment has as its basis the Dominant state of anger .It owes its origin to Raksasas, Danavas and haughty men, and is caused by fights. This is created Determinants such as anger, rape, abuse, insult, untrue allegation, exorcizing like, its actions are beating, breaking, crushing, cutting, piercing, taking up arms, and other similar deeds. This is to be represented on the stage by means of consequents such as red eyes, knitting of eyebrows, defiance, biting of the lips, movement of the cheeks, and the like.

                     The Heroic sentiment:-

Now the Heretic sentiment relates to the superior type of persons and has energy as its basis. This is created by Determinants such as presence of mind, perseverance, diplomacy, discipline, military strength, like. It is to be represented on the stage by consequents such as firmness, patience, heroism, charity, diplomacy and the like.

The heroic sentiment arises from energy, absence of surprise,

This heroic sentiment is to be properly represented on the stage by firmness, patience.

Ø The Terrible sentiment

Now the terrible sentiment has as its basis the dominant state of fear. This is created by Determinants like hideous noise, sight of ghost, panic and anxiety due to jackals and owls, staying in a simply house or forest, sight of death or captivity of dear ones, or news of it, or discussion about it. It is to be represented on the feet, horrpilation, and change of color and loss of voice. Its

Transitory states are paralysis,

  The marvelous sentiment:-

                The marvelous sentiment has as its basis the dominant states of     astonishment. It is created by determinants such as sight of heavenly beings or event’s attainment of desired objects, entrance into a superior mansion, temple, audience hall, and a seven- storied palace and illusory and magical. Acts. It is to be represented on the stage by consequents such as wide opening of eyes, looking with fixed gaze.

The marvelous sentiment is which arises from words chapter, deed and personal beauty.

Ø The odious sentiment

Now the odious sentiment has as its basis the dominant state of disgust. Zit is created by determinants like hearing of unpleasant, offensive, impure and harmful things or seeing them or discussing them. It is to be represented on the stage by consequents such as stopping the movement of all limbs, narrowing down of the mouth vomiting, spiting like. Transitory states in it are epilepsy, delusion, agitation.

The odious sentiment arises. In many ways from disgusting sight, taste, smell, touch a sound which causes uneasiness.