On this Shivaratri, come trace with me the common thread that runs through Nataraja, the rasa theory, Apna Time Aayega and Bharat Natyam.
‘Nataraja’ is a Sanskrit term translated as Lord of Dance or King of Dancers. According to some scholars, the name is related to Shiva's fame as the "Lord of Dancers" or "King of Actors". He is sometimes also referred to as Nateshvara (from Nata which means "stage performer", and Ishvara or "lord")
‘Nataraja’ symbolises the connection between religion and the arts, and it represents Shiva as the lord of dance performing the Ananda Tandava or the dance of bliss. The purpose of this dance is to focus on self-realisation, releasing the soul from maya or illusion. This dance is said to be performed within his heart.
It is a fearless celebration while being surrounded by fire, the matted locks of his hair flying in wild, ecstatic energy. Whenever I look at Shiva in the Natraja pose, I always feel he is immersed in rasa, an emotion or feeling that moves the heart but cannot be described.
According to the Rasa theory of the Natya Shastra (the Book of Performance Arts written by Bharat Muni, wherein he gave us Bharat Natyam) entertainment is a desired effect of performance arts, but not the primary goal. The primary goal is to transport the individual in the audience into another parallel reality, full of wonder and bliss, where he experiences the essence of his own consciousness, realises who he is, plumbs the depths of his feelings that help him to understand his own reality better.
Listen to the rap in Apna Time Aayega…..at once you understand what rasa is all about, how ageless yet contemporary it is.
Rasas are created through a wide range of means, and the ancient Indian texts discuss many such means. For example, one way is through the use of gestures and facial expressions of the actors. Expressing Rasa in classical Indian dance form is referred to as Rasa-abhinaya.
The theory of rasas forms the aesthetic base of all Indian classical dance and theatre, such as Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Kudiyattam and others
Watch a young contestant and her guru give expression to Apna Time Aayega in Bharat Natyam on the sets of a popular reality show. (0:59:25 to 1:02:16)
https://www.sonyliv.com/…/Ep.14---Please-Welcome-Ranveer-An…
My apologies if you cannot stand Ranveer or Alia or both of them. But I am sure at the end of it, you will be quite speechless, and moved “into another parallel reality, full of wonder and bliss.”
This Shivaratri take a few minutes off your routine and think -- We must be the only people in the world to have concepts and beliefs, forms of expression like this …. that take the shape of our heart, whatever is deep within………..that refuse to grow old, that are just as we are!
(Image credits: Wikipedia)
Links courtesy youtube and www.sonyliv.com (my live-in partner)
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