Hāsya Explained

Hāsya (Sanskrit: हास्य) is a Sanskrit word^[1] for one of the nine rasas or bhava (mood) of Indian aesthetics, usually translated as humour or comedy.^[2] The colour associated with hasya is white and deity, Pramatha,^[3] and leads to exultation of the mind.^[4]

Hāsya often arises out of Sringara as mentioned in Natya Shastra, the classical treatise on the performing arts of Bharata Muni, theatrologist and musicologist.^[5] Rasa means "flavour", and the theory of rasa is the primary concept behind classical Indian arts, including theatre,^[6] music, dance, poetry, and even sculpture.^{[7] [8]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Definition of hāsya. Sanskritdictionary. 2014-08-28 .
2. Book: Peter Marchand. The Yoga of the Nine Emotions: The Tantric Practice of Rasa Sadhana. 2006. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. 978-1-59477-094-4. 177–.
3. Book: Susan L. Schwartz. Rasa: Performing the Divine in India. registration. 2004. Columbia University Press. 978-0-231-13145-2. 15–.
4. Book: Sanjukta Gupta. Advaita Vedanta and Vaisnavism: The Philosophy of Madhusudana Sarasvati. 2013. Routledge. 978-1-134-15774-7. 140–.
5. Book: Ghosh, Manomohan . Natyasastra . 2002 . 81-7080-076-5.
6. Book: Poonam Trivedi. Dennis Bartholomeusz. India's Shakespeare: Translation, Interpretation, and Performance. 2005. University of Delaware Press. 978-0-87413-881-8. 211–.
7. Book: Gupteshwar Prasad. I.A. Richards and Indian Theory of Rasa. 1994. Sarup & Sons. 978-81-85431-37-6. 100.
8. Book: Manorma Sharma. Music Aesthetics. 2007. APH Publishing. 978-81-313-0032-9. 96–.