Fine Arts · Class 6

Active learning ideas

Navarasas: Expressing Emotions in Dance

Active learning works well for Navarasas because emotions are felt physically before they are understood intellectually. When students move, mimic, and create, they internalise the subtle differences between each rasa, making abstract concepts like ‘wonder’ or ‘disgust’ tangible through their own bodies and expressions.

• CBSE Learning Outcomes
• CBSE: Basics of Indian Classical Dance: Abhinaya - Class 6

• 25–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 30 min · Pairs

Mirror Pairs: Rasa Reflection

Pair students and assign one as leader to slowly perform facial expressions and postures for a rasa like Shringara. The follower mirrors precisely. Switch roles after two minutes and discuss matches in expressions.

How does a dancer use specific facial expressions to convey a particular emotion?

Facilitation Tip

During Mirror Pairs: Rasa Reflection, remind pairs to switch roles every 30 seconds so both students practice both observation and performance.

What to look for

Show students images or short video clips of dancers expressing different emotions. Ask them to write down which Navarasa they believe is being portrayed and one specific facial or body cue that helped them identify it.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 45 min · Small Groups

Group Sequence: Rasa Storyboard

In small groups, select two contrasting rasas such as Hasya and Raudra. Create a 30-second sequence transitioning between them using body language. Perform for the class and receive feedback on clarity.

Compare and contrast the physical postures associated with joy versus sorrow in dance.

Facilitation Tip

In Group Sequence: Rasa Storyboard, circulate with a checklist to note which groups are combining hastas and postures effectively.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'How might a dancer express joy (Hasya) differently from peace (Shanta) using only their body and face?'. Facilitate a class discussion where students share their ideas and demonstrate potential movements.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 25 min · Whole Class

Whole Class Charades: Rasa Guessing

One student performs a rasa silently with full abhinaya. The class guesses and justifies based on expressions and postures. Rotate performers and tally correct guesses.

Construct a short movement sequence that clearly expresses one of the Navarasas.

Facilitation Tip

For Whole Class Charades: Rasa Guessing, stop the game after 4-5 rasas to discuss common cues before moving to the next round.

What to look for

Have students work in pairs. One student performs a short sequence expressing a Navarasa. The other student acts as an observer and provides feedback using a simple checklist: 'Was the emotion clear?', 'What specific gesture helped?', 'Suggest one way to make it stronger'.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 04

• Role Play
• 35 min · Individual

Individual Sketch: My Rasa Poster

Students draw key facial features and postures for one assigned rasa, labelling mudras used. Share in a gallery walk and explain choices to peers.

How does a dancer use specific facial expressions to convey a particular emotion?

Facilitation Tip

When students create Individual Sketch: My Rasa Poster, encourage them to label at least two facial features and one body posture that match the rasa.

What to look for

Show students images or short video clips of dancers expressing different emotions. Ask them to write down which Navarasa they believe is being portrayed and one specific facial or body cue that helped them identify it.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers should model each rasa first, breaking it down into eye shape, eyebrow movement, mouth position, and posture. Avoid rushing through all nine in one session; focus on three rasas per class to build depth. Research shows that peer feedback and repeated practice strengthen muscle memory, so allocate time for students to refine their expressions based on peer observations. Keep the tone playful but precise—emotions in dance are disciplined, not random.

Successful learning looks like students confidently identifying and demonstrating at least three distinct rasas using precise facial expressions, hastas, and postures. They should also articulate how body and face work together to convey emotion, not just name the rasas correctly.

---

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Mirror Pairs: Rasa Reflection, watch for students saying expressions look similar.

  Stop the pairs and ask them to freeze on Shringara versus Hasya, then point out the difference in mouth shapes—smiling lips for Hasya, parted lips for Shringara—so they notice minute variations through repeated mirroring.

• During Group Sequence: Rasa Storyboard, watch for students isolating facial expressions from body posture.

  Have groups perform their storyboard twice: once with only faces, then again with full body integration. Ask peers to note which version feels stronger and why, using the checklist provided.

• During Whole Class Charades: Rasa Guessing, watch for students assuming Navarasas are improvised emotions.

  Before starting, show students authentic images from classical dance and point out the codified hastas for Raudra and Veera. Remind them to use these gestures during the game to stay rooted in tradition, not just personal acting.

---

Methods used in this brief

• Role Play