The word “rasa” is explained with beauty in Indian literature and is quoted from our ancient texts. It is authentically explained in Bharatamuni’s  “Natyashastra”, a text of the first century AD. The term “rasa” is generally used in the following phases:-

1. Substance rasa
2. Ayurveda rasa
3. Literature ras
4. Moksha or the rasa of liberation

In general, in practical language, we talk about these four rasas and we get the taste of these rasas through our sense organs and subtle senses. If you are interested in Aesthetics.  You want to understand the “Rasa” element in Indian arts.  So Biyani Girls College brings to you a professional course, Bachelor of Visual Arts where you can understand the nuances of aesthetics along with the practical side of various arts.  Among the best BVA colleges in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Biyani Girls College is leading the way for both the theory side as well as skill training. We find the first meaning of the word “Rasa” in the Vedas. After this, we get to see its explanation in the Upanishads as well. It is said in the ”Brihadaranyaka Upanishad”:-

“Prano va Anganam Rasah”

That means rasa is the essential element. Eight types of rasa have been mentioned in “Chhandopanishad”. After this, the word rasa is also mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabharata period, and Sutra period. In Hindu philosophy, Buddhist and Jain philosophy, the word rasa has been explained at some places. Scholars like Panini, Kautilya and Vatsayan, etc. have also explained Rasa in their books. In this way, the journey of meaning development of the word rasa continued to move from concrete to abstract and finally, it became the reader of classical meaning in Bharatmuni’s Natya Shastra. Similarly, Bharatmuni presented the abstract theory of rasa. Bharata has adopted rasa from the Atharvaveda. Bharata Muni has given a detailed description of rasa in the sixth and seventh chapters of Natyashastra. In this, considering drama as the best form of literature, its life has been accepted as “rasa”. Describing the characters of Rasa, Bharata has told the black-Blue of makeup, white of humor, kapot(Grey) of compassion, the red of Rudra, pride of heroic, black of terrible, blue of veebhats (vile) and yellow of wonderful. Similarly, Vishnu is the God of makeup, Pratham of humor, Rudra of Rodra, fear of compassion, Mahakal of veebhats (vile), Kaal of terrible, Mahendra of heroic and Brahma of wonderful. Before Bharat, there were two traditions of rasa : first “Dohini”, in which 8 rasas have been described and second “Vasuki”, in which Nava rasa named “Shant(Peace)” has also been mentioned. Bharat recognized 8 rasas on the basis of Dohini and mentioned 33 adulterous and 8 Sattvic expressions. Bharata Muni propounded the following formula for the complete interpretation of Rasa:

“Tatra Vibhavanubhavabhichari Sanyogadra Sanishpatti”

That is, the union of Vibhava, Anubhav and Vyabhichari Bhavas results in Rasa. The basic of Rasa is permanent feelings and Vibhava, Anubhava and Vyabhichari Bhava are helpful in reaching the permanent Bhava to the state of Rasa. Thoughts of the mind are called Bhava. Bharat has considered the number of permanent expressions as eight.

You can take essential courses, B.V.A. to understand Bhava and Rasa in Aesthetics.  For this you can select the Biyani Girls College as the best BVA College in Rajasthan. Taking the basis of Rasa theory, Parvati(Leter) Acharyas presented their own theories like: – Bhatta Lolatta gave accusatoryism, Sankuka gave Permissiveism, Bhattanayaka gave Muktiism and Abhinav Gupta gave Expressionism and formulated “Nave Rasa”. Similarly in Indian aesthetics Apart from Rasa Siddhanta, Dhwani Siddhanta, Alankar Siddhanta, Riti Siddhanta and Auchitya(Aptitude) Siddhanta were also explained.

Blog By :-

Dr. Ramakant Gautam

Assistant Professor

Department of Visual Arts

Biyani Girls College