‘Navarasa’ will bring out the best in Bharata Natyam
Venkat Raman
Auckland, June 12, 2021
The nine emotions of human beings, known as ‘Navarasa,’ will be the theme of the forthcoming production of the Wellington-based Mudra Dance Company.
Produced, directed and choreographed by Vivek Kinra, one of the most revered Bharata Natyam gurus of the Kalakshetra tradition, the dance drama will be staged at the Lower Hutt Theatre located at 2 Queen Street, Lower Hutt from July 2 to July 4, 2021.
The 100-minute programme will commence at 7.30 pm on the first two days and at 4 p.m. on the final day.
Kinra promises a spectacular dance work exploring primal human emotions.
About Navarasa
“Navarasa will be a kaleidoscope of motion, colour, music, mime, and rhythm. The central piece of this new dance work explores the primal human emotions through the classical Indian dance form, Bharata Natyam,” he said.
The nine emotions (Navarasa) incorporate Shringara (Love), Hasya (Laughter), Karuna (Compassion), Raudra (Anger), Veera (Courage), Bhayanaka (Fear), Beebhatsya (Disgust), Adbhuta (Wonder), and Shanta (Tranquility).
Kinra said that Rasa is in everything, or better yet, everything “has” Rasa.
“Though some things have a higher vibrational essence, others are lower and some even appear as dead, Rasa remains the invisible substance that gives life its meaning. The Nine Rasas, as described in ancient Indian aesthetic philosophy, can be seen as being indicative of prime human emotions. Each Rasa is a repository of energy drawn from our Prana (life force). By unlocking this powerful energy and then mastering it, we can effectively achieve emotional balance, and also use this energy to realize our true potential,” he said.
Kinra said that these nine emotions are the foundation on which Indian classical traditions of dance, music, theatre, art, and literature evolved.
“The concept of Navarasa continues to be the backbone of these various traditions, even in their contemporary forms. Rasa is in everything, or better yet, everything has Rasa. Rasa is the invisible substance that gives life its meaning. Rasa is also the state of artistic ecstasy. When the spectators get completely absorbed in the dance and experience a state where they are beyond the realm of the five senses – they experience Rasa,” he said.
About Venkata Kavi
Kinra has choregraphed his production to the compositions of Oottukkaadu Venkata Kavi, who is renowned South Indian composer of the 18th century, with hundreds of musical pieces to his credit in Sanskrit and Tamil.
Considered to be one of the pioneering composers in Indian classical Carnatic music, Venkata Kavi’s compositions are characterised by rhythmic patterns intertwined with music.
His compositions showcased in Navarasa praise the Hindu deity Krishna, affectionately referred to as the “Dark Lord.”
About Vivek Kinra
For almost 30 years, since the establishment of his Academy, Kinra has earned an enviable reputation as a master performer and teacher par excellence. His productions are replete with colour, costumes, vibrant music, exquisite stage settings and most important of all, awe-inspiring ‘mudras’(gestures), which are the quintessence of Indian classical dances in general and Bharata Natyam in particular.
Kinra is among a few who have upheld the traditional form of Indian classical dance, without straying into the repulsive area of Bollywood. Alumni of Kalakshetra, the world’s foremost dance academy based in Chennai, he has demonstrated the glory and dignity of Bharata Natyam since 1992 in the Capital.
Characterised by beauty and charm, Mudra Dance Company is a visual feast of brilliant sari colours, traditional headdresses of braids and flowers, and the sparkle of gorgeous jewellery. Navarasa will excite the audience with fast-moving and emotive dance pieces that showcase the incredible talent of this highly regarded dance company.
Kinra has been a recipient of accolades and honours, the most significant of which came from the Government, which appointed him as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2010 for his services to the Indian traditional dance.
Navarasa will be a significant work in the celebrated and illustrious career of Kinra.
Fundraiser for Kurinchi Kumaran Temple
Mudra Dance Company is working with the Kurinchi Kumaran Temple to assist them in fundraising for their activities through this performance of Navarasa. The Temple is situated in Newlands, Wellington and is a valuable institution in preserving and promoting Indian social, cultural and religious values in New Zealand.
Tickets for the show, priced between $20 and $30, are available from Eventfinda. Phone: 0800-289849; Website: www.eventfinda.co.nz Booking fees will apply.
For more information, please contact Mark Graham, Publicist of Mudra Dance Company on 021-550245. Email: mudra@xtra.co.nz; Website: www.mudra.co.nz
Notes on Nine Emotions
Shringara (Love): This is the ultimate Rasa; the crown emotion that heals anything. This Rasa frees the ego and connects us to devotional love. When we appreciate beauty, it connects us to the source of love. It is the creative play between Shiva and Shakti, sun and moon, yin and yang. The purpose of the universe is to experience this divine love. This love is inherent in everything. It is within each and every one of us and radiates throughout the cosmos.
Hasya (Laughter): This Rasa connects us to our sense of humour through laughter, happiness and contentment. When we laugh, it is easier to slip into a no-mind state, because the mind has been freed from its usual workload of thoughts, and we can simply be open, free and happy at that moment.
Karuna (Compassion): When we can experience another’s sadness and reflect it back to the cosmos, we then experience compassion. Compassion is what connects us all. Through compassion we can relate deeply and honestly with each other, it is the bridge between us and others and helps us understand and empathise with them.
Raudra (Anger): Raudra is anger and all its forms. Raudra is the most violent of all rasas. It also encompasses divine fury and the fury of nature which is used to explain unexpected calamities and natural disasters. In Indian mythology, Lord Shiva, the Destroyer is thought of as the master of disharmony and discord.
Veera (Courage): Also connoting bravery, confidence, determination, self-assurance and valour, Veera asserts itself when you call upon the warrior that lives inside you. It is strong and vibrant.
Bhayanaka (Fear): Bhayanaka is fear. It is the feeling evoked while facing something that is far bigger and more powerful than oneself and which is dead set on one’s destruction. It is the feeling of being overwhelmed and helpless. It is used to characterise that which causes fear. People and circumstances that cause others to cower in terror before them are as central to the portrayal of this rasa as those feeling fear.
Beebhatsya (Disgust): The emotion evoked by anything that nauseates us, that revolts or sickens us is Beebhatsya. When something comes to our notice that is coarse and graceless, beneath human dignity, something which revolts or sickens us, it is Beebhatsya that we feel.
Adbhuta (Wonder): The curiosity, mystery and awe which occur when we become fascinated with the very idea of life. This Rasa is our playfulness and innocence. We enter into complete appreciation and become an explorer or adventurer. It seems like magic!
Shanta (Tranquility): This Rasa is reflected in deep calmness and relaxation. When we become still, quiet and at peace, we are so full that we are empty of all else but peace. We can only find peace within.
Pictures Supplied by Mudra Dance Company. The above story has been sponsored by
