Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Forum Week 4


From what I've seen the meanings, at least the simplified meanings, of the rasas all seem to be fairly universal. The most diverse ive seen in my search was these meanings

Sanskrit Term

Principal Meaning

Further Meanings & related emotions

Shringara

Love

Beauty, devotion

Hasya

Joy

Humor, sarcasm

Adbhuta

Wonder

Curiosity, mystery

Shanta

Peace

Calmness, relaxation

Raudra

Anger

Irritation, stress

Veera

Courage

Pride, confidence

Karuna

Sadness

Compassion, pity, sympathy

Bhayanaka

Fear

Anxiety, worry

Vibhatsa

Disgust

Depression, self-pity

http://www.rasas.info/index.htm

These meanings are fantastic for artists to draw inspiration from, as so many have not just drawn inspiration, but rather the inspiration has drawn them into it. One of my favorite artists, John McLaughlin, became heavily involved so much so that he earned the title Mahavishnu, and gave his band the same name. I'm sure that he would have undergone a similar task, looking for sounds that represent the rasa, in his study.

As i talked about in class, this task needs to be taken in context or sounds on their own can imply any meaning. However for this task ive taken the obvious meaning.

hasya
Major Chord, laughing, children playing (laughing)
adbhuta
a crescendo symphony orchestra playing a major chord, ???
veera
a march, marching army, horns playing a fanfare, a human roar
karuna
a kiss, a harp
krodha
a raging roar, low basses driving ostinato in 5ths.
bhibasta
a spit, a sinister murmur
bhayanaka
a scream, dimished chord or odd chromatic chord, perhaps low basses driving ostinato in 5ths, gunfire, pain noises.

shoka
a minor chord, crying
shanta
a subtle major chord, a water stream

References:

Whittington, Stephen. "Week 4 Composition Workshop." Lecture. 21/8/08. Adelaide University.

http://www.rasas.info/index.htm

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