Navarasa

The day began with an extended warm-up session led by Anil, longer than usual but equally refreshing and energizing. This comprehensive session prepared both mind and body for focused participation, setting a positive and lively tone for the day. A well-rounded warm-up is crucial for effective engagement in theatre activities.

Shreedhar Sir returned after three days to lead a voice exercise session focused on chanting slokas. The chanting not only served as a vocal warm-up but also instilled rhythm and discipline. Such practices are essential for improving vocal strength, clarity, and control, enhancing overall performance skills.

The renowned Vijayanti Kashi Ma’am conducted an engaging session centered on Navarasa (the nine emotions in theatre). She explained how Navarasa is a universal element of both daily life and theatre, emphasizing the importance of balancing the expression of emotions for different audiences. Navarasa serves as a profound connection between the artist and the audience, creating impactful performances.

Ma’am introduced the four elements of acting, highlighting their role in achieving authenticity in Navarasa:

• Angika: Body movements and physical gestures.

• Vaachika: Dialogues, voice modulation, and tone.

• Aaharya: Costumes, makeup, and visual appearance.

• Sathvika: Emotions and inner expressions.

She also discussed the grading of performances into three categories:

• Uttama: Excellent

• Madhyama: Average

• Adama: Below average

Participants practiced portraying emotions such as Shrungara (romance), Bhayankara (fear), Veera (bravery), and Bhibatsya (disgust), receiving personalized feedback on their expressions and techniques.

Key takeaways included the importance of acting starting from the eyes and extending to the whole body. Overacting or lack of control can push a performance to Adama, while simplifying and refining expressions enhances impact. Ma’am emphasized that preparation begins the moment an actor enters the green room and that Navarasa serves as a bridge between the actor and the audience, with authenticity determining its effectiveness.

Understanding the character and script deeply is crucial before performing any emotion. Balancing body language, voice, costume, and inner emotion creates a complete performance. Self-reflection and audience feedback are invaluable in refining and perfecting one’s craft, underscoring the actor’s capability and quality.

Day 18 was an enriching experience, filled with practical learning and philosophical insights. The sessions were a powerful reminder of how theatre integrates art, discipline, and self-awareness, offering lessons not just for the stage but for life itself. The day concluded with a systematic rehearsal of the song taught by Rajguru Sir, practiced twice with renewed focus and precision.