rasasentiments

Rasa is a Sanskrit term that translates to "essence," "flavor," or "taste." In Indian aesthetics, particularly in drama and poetry, rasa refers to the emotional state or mood evoked in the audience or reader by a work of art. It is not the emotion experienced by the characters themselves, but rather the aesthetic experience that arises from the interplay of various elements within the artwork, such as characters, plot, and presentation.

There are traditionally nine primary rasas identified in the Natyasastra, an ancient Indian treatise on performance arts. These are Shringara (erotic or romantic love), Hasya (mirth or laughter), Karuna (pathos or sadness), Raudra (anger or fury), Veera (heroism or valor), Bhayanaka (fear or terror), Bhibhatsa (disgust or aversion), Adbhuta (wonder or astonishment), and Shanta (peace or tranquility). Each rasa is associated with specific bhavas, which are the psychological states or emotions depicted by the characters and evoked in the audience.

The concept of rasa suggests that art has the power to transport the audience to a heightened state of emotional and aesthetic consciousness. It is achieved through the skillful arrangement of sensory elements and the evocation of sympathetic emotional responses. The ultimate goal is to create a profound and lasting impact on the observer, leading to a form of aesthetic pleasure or liberation. The understanding and appreciation of rasa are central to the classical Indian performance traditions.