Abstract

The fundamental aspects of human nature are emotions and moods. Music has the ability to evoke strong emotional responses. The term ‘Rasa’ denotes aesthetic flavour that can be developed through various dimensions of experiences and creativities. In Hindustani Music, the application of Rasa-s is crucial for inducing an upbeat mood in the audience, arousing their aesthetic flavours. Rasa is not an abstract idea but a feeling expressed through the flow of swara- s and the swara-s employed in that Raga. Among the ‘Navarasa-s’ (Nine Sentiments), Shringara Rasa, which denotes Love, Joy and Beauty, is considered wide and comprehensive. It can be evoked in a Raga through the progression of its musical notes, use of embellishments, musical composition, tempo and rhythmic cycle. A brief study, in this paper, is undertaken based on Shringara Rasa’s application in Hindustani Music and some selected Raga compositions depicting various moods of love such as happiness, ornamentations, decorations, delightful atmosphere, positive colours of joy, the gorgeousness of woman, attractiveness, love-making, yearning, separation and reunion of lovers, and so forth.