Ep02: On Rasa and Rasam
Rasam. ’Nuff said.
Ameya and Kiran muse over rasam recipes while diving deep into the foundations of Rasa theory in the Natya Sastra in Part 1 of this special two-episode arc. They discuss how it is understood today and present a compelling alternative theory from ancient Tamil Literature.
Call to action: What changes would you make to the Navarasa list?
Dive deeper:
● Mandakranta Bose – Movement and Mimesis: Idea of Dance in the Sanskritic Tradition
● B. M. Chaturvedi and Sriramachandrudu Pullela – Some unexplored aspects of rasa theory
● Bharata’s Natya Shastra – the chapter 6, which is on rasa (Ameya’s go-to edition is the 4-volume set by Pushpendra Kumar)
● S. Raghuraman - History of Tamil’s Dance (Translated into English by Lakshmi Ramaswamy)
● V. Murugan - Tolkappiyam in English
Today’s episode would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of many, including
● We Edit Podcasts for audio engineering
● Sangeetha Kowsik for graphic design of our logo
● Catwalk Institute for Kiran’s studio space
● Sarada Jammi for Ameya’s studio space
● Drs. V. Arasu, Lakshmi Ramaswamy, S. Raghuraman, and V. Murugan for their critical insights into Tolkappiyam and the contributions of Tamil Literature to Indian dance & aesthetics
● Drs. Yashoda Thakore and Anupama Kylash for their incisive and comprehensive review of the nuances of rasa theory and its evolution through Sanskrit literature
● A special thanks to Wesley Beeks & Bertel King, Jr.
● Music from the albums Mystic Journey by Suzanne Tang (“Darjeeling Sunrise”) and Valaji by Gokul Salvadi (“Valaji”)
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