Navarasa, a Sanskrit term, is derived from two words—nava meaning “nine” and rasa meaning “essence,” or “emotion.” Together, Navarasa refers to the nine fundamental emotions or moods central to classical Indian art: love (Shringara), laughter (Hasya), compassion or sorrow (Karuna), anger (Raudra), courage (Veera), fear (Bhayanaka), disgust (Bibhatsa), and wonder (Adbhuta).
Presented by Crescendo Theatre & Films on 20 and 21 November 2025, at the Zenith Theatre in Chatswood, Navarasa featured a talented ensemble cast; Olga Tamara, Poornima Menon, Raghu Uppala, Manisha Belani, Jas Chawla, and Rita Thakur. The production team included Abhijit Da (tabla), Mehran Mortezaei (lighting & sound), and Rishi Dave (stage management). The writers were Lindsey Brown, Ruth Fingret, and Lindsay Walker; photography was by Balzinder Balz, and the play was directed by Jyotsna Sharma, a theatre professional, voice artiste and drama teacher.
Jyotsna Sharma’s direction offered a thoughtful exploration of the nine emotions that define the human psyche. Through a series of short skits, the production skillfully brought each rasa to life, revealing a distinct aspect of human experience. The dialogues carried genuine emotional weight without tipping into melodrama, and transitions between moods flowed with natural rhythm.
The writing encouraged introspection, inviting the audience to recognise how all these emotions coexist within every individual. Characters such as the overbearing mother, the physically abusive parent, and the gullible son embodied raw emotional truths, rendered with empathy and nuance. The thematic coherence and seamless direction made Navarasa both engaging and deeply memorable.
The first-time actors displayed no stage jitters and performed their roles with confidence and ease. Poornima Menon delivered a strikingly realistic portrayal of a violent mother, while Olga Tamara’s inebriated act was both comedic and poignant; perhaps inadvertently introducing the “tenth rasa,” the Somarasa, the essence of intoxication and joy. LOL!
The quick transitions between skits occasionally left little time for reflection but the interplay of emotions across scenes added dynamism and texture.
Navarasa succeeded as both an artistic and introspective work and a vivid celebration of emotional diversity that resonates long after the curtain call.
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