Rasas in the Ramcharitmanas (2023)

Undergraduate: Gargi Dixit

Faculty Advisor: Pamela Lothspeich
Department: Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

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This research project will analyze and compare the various rasas represented in the Ramcharitmanas, focusing on bhakti rasa as a newer outlook, as well as veera, karuna, and shaanta rasa. Rasa is a Sanskrit word that can be loosely translated as essence or flavor, referring to a concept in aesthetic theory that is present in visual or literary arts (Britannica). Rasa was first mentioned in Bharat’s Natyashastra, in the verse 1969:79, where he states, “Vibhavaanubhaava vyabhicarisamyogata rasanispattih” (The Rasa Theory and Literary Appreciation). This loosely translates to the idea that aesthetic pleasure or rasa is created when external factors, the actor’s experience, and transient emotions come together (The Rasa Theory and Literary Appreciation).

I will contrast the portrayal of these rasas in the text itself versus in performance, and examine how certain rasas are enhanced or muted by the transition into a performance from written text. I will examine Tulasidas’ Ramcharitmanas and contrast it with Valmiki’s Ramayana. The use of poetic language, like metaphors, similes, analogies, imagery, and how it enhances the presence of rasas will also be studied. In particular, I am interested in the expression of bhakti rasa in text and in performance. Bhakti rasa refers to devotional or spiritual emotions, and manifests in the text and performance primarily through verses that are sung in praise of certain deities. I will first summarize the various rasas I have observed, particularly bhakti rasa, in the text of the Ramcharitmanas, then note my observations about the performance of Ramlila and the role of bhakti rasa in performance, and finally conclude by discussing the interplay between the various texts and performances of this historical epic.

Link to Abstract Link to Poster