Archive · 4 Nov 2025
Bharatanatyam Ballet 'Navarasa' Explores Nine Emotions Through Pure Dance
Imagine watching a dance show where the dancers don't sing or tell a story, but instead use just their movements to show how they feel.
That's what the 'Navarasa' ballet is like!
It's about the nine basic emotions, like happiness, anger, and peace, that people can feel.
The dancers used their bodies like instruments to show these feelings, with different colors projected onto them to match each emotion.
For example, they used red for anger and green for love.
They even changed the order of the emotions, starting with anger because it's a strong feeling.
The music was like a background canvas for their dancing.
At the end, all the colorful sarees they wore were put together, showing the beautiful journey through all the emotions.
The Bharatanatyam ballet 'Navarasa' explores the nine fundamental emotions of Indian aesthetic theory.
Choreographed by Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant, the performance conveys emotions through pure dance ('nritta') rather than lyrics or storyline.
Visual elements, including projected colors on white costumes designed by Surya Rao, played a key role in representing each rasa.
The order of emotions was uniquely arranged, beginning with 'Roudra Rasa' (anger) for its immediate impact.
Each emotion was depicted through specific dance movements and colors, with music by Prema Ramamurthy serving as a backdrop.
- Who
- Padma Shri Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant and the Shankarananda Kalakshetra ensemble
- What
- Performed the Bharatanatyam ballet 'Navarasa', exploring the nine emotions through pure dance and visual effects.
- When
- Recently
- Where
- Raw Mango Showroom in Banjara Hills
- Why
- To explore the expression of the nine Indian aesthetic emotions (rasas) solely through dance and visual artistry, independent of lyrics or narrative.
Traditional Approach
Navarasa Ballet Approach
Emotion Conveyance
Traditional Approach
Emotions (rasas) are typically anchored to lyrics or storyline in dance recitals.
Navarasa Ballet Approach
Emotions are conveyed through pure dance ('nritta') and visual elements like lighting and color, without relying on lyrics or storyline.
Order of Emotions
Traditional Approach
A standard order of emotions is generally followed in recitals.
Navarasa Ballet Approach
The order of emotions can be altered based on artistic interpretation; anger was chosen as the opening emotion for its immediacy and impact.
- Performance Title
- 'Navarasa'
- Art Form
- Bharatanatyam ballet
- Choreographer
- Padma Shri Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant
- Concept Origin
- To convey emotions (rasas) without relying on lyrics or storyline.
- Visual Design
- Surya Rao (lighting)
- Music Composer
- Prema Ramamurthy
- Ensemble
- Shankarananda Kalakshetra