Vachika Abhinaya As A Tool To Evoke Rasa In Bharatanatyam – With Special Reference To Ragas

Dublin Core

Title

Vachika Abhinaya As A Tool To Evoke Rasa In Bharatanatyam – With Special Reference To Ragas

Publisher

The Department of Indian Music
School of Fine & Performing Arts
University of Madras, Chepauk
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India - 600 005

Date

December 2023

Format

Portable Document Format

Language

English

Type

Article

Abstract

This research explores the symbiotic relationship between Raga and rasa, specifically focusing on Vachika Abhinaya within the context of Bharatanatyam. Emphasising the integral role of music, particularly the seven musical notes, the paper underscores the significance of ragas in Carnatic Classical music, serving as a foundation for the evocation of rasa. Each raga's unique emotional quality contributes to a better understanding of Vachika Abhinaya, thereby enhancing the dancer's bhava. Drawing from Natyasastra, chapters dedicated to music under Vachika Abhinaya, the paper sheds light on the communicative partnership between dancer and musician. The qualitative method has been employed to interview musicians and understand how to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application of music in dance, thereby offering insights to Bharatanatyam practitioners on utilising appropriate ragas to convey specific emotions. Addressing the crucial support role of music, the research highlights the potential barrier posed by a lack of musical knowledge for Bharatanatyam dancers. It emphasises the need for clarity in dance music and proposes a method to empower dancers to communicate their artistic vision effectively. This concise paper serves as a valuable resource for Bharatanatyam artists, providing a deeper understanding of the interplay between ragas and emotions. By decoding the language of music, the research aims to highlight the importance of Vachika Abhinaya through the element of Raga, and enhance the overall expressive quality of Bharatanatyam performances, facilitating a beautiful, musical experience between dancers and spectators.

Files

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Citation

Anjana Ramesh Sharma, “Vachika Abhinaya As A Tool To Evoke Rasa In Bharatanatyam – With Special Reference To Ragas,” Smṛti - A Bi-Annual Peer Reviewed Journal on Fine & Performing Arts , accessed May 14, 2025, https://smrti.omeka.net/items/show/76.