Facial Expressions in Indian dance and movies

In any performing art, facial expressions are most important.It is much true in case of drama and dance.I simple effort is made here to tell how it is met with in Indian dance and movies.

Basic emotions and Rasas

In Indian prosody(the science of analysing poetry) and Natyshastra(The science of dance)Ancient Indian Gurus have recognised that there are nine basic emotions(Sthaayi Bhaavas)in our experience. Each of these,rises to the level of perfection when developed in the art, and that fully developed state is called RASA .There are thus nine rasas(emotions sublimated into artistic enjoyment) prevailing. A work of art, or poetry ,if created by a talented artist/poet, develops related rasa in the heart of the viewer or reader.

Those nine rasas are the following-

1 Shringara-(love)-created by the emotion of Rathi feeling

2. Hasya(Humour)-created by the feeling of humour

3 Karuna(Pity)- created by the basic emotion of sarrow.(shoka)

4.Veera(valour)-created by the basic emotion of eagerness(utsah)

5.Roudra(Extreme anger)-created by anger.

6.Adbhutha(miraculous)-created by the feeling of wonder.(vismaya)

7.Bhayanaka (terrific)-created by the feeling of fear.(Bhaya)

8. Shantha (peace) created by the feeling of calmness(shama)

9.Bhibatsa(perversion)- created by the feeling of nastiness(Jugupsa)

       Indian dance powerfully expreeses these feelings in facial and body expressions. How it is done, is shown here by the asctions of some   famous Indian artists and film  actresses