Dança, corpo e emoção: experiência estética (rasa) e performance (abhinaya) no teatro Kathakali

Abstract

This study aims to investigate, in light of the teachings of the Nāṭyaśāstra treatise on aesthetics, how the aesthetic experience (rasa) develops within the context of classical Kathakali theatre, consolidated in the 17th century in the state of Kerala, in southern India. It also aims to identify which elements of performance (abhinaya) contribute to the spectator's ability to revisit, within themselves, the emotional content of this same experience. For the analysis of the doctrine of aesthetic experience (rasa) and performance (abhinaya) in Kathakali, this study adopts a qualitative approach to the processes of rasa construction when evaluating the event. In addition, secondary sources were collected, including books, journal articles, and videos. The books were selected based on authors who produced works relevant to the research. Among them are, for example, Almir Ribeiro, David Bolland, Ricardo Gomes, Abilio Perez Junior, Dilip Loundo, Eugenio Barba, among others. Kathakali performance (abhinaya) is a sensitive ritual, where gesture is word, the body is text, and emotion is the path, leading the spectator not only to an understanding of the scene, but also to an encounter with themselves each time they have the opportunity to participate in the long night of Kathakali theatre.