Rasamanjari literally refers to the cluster of blossoms
full of Rasas. In Indian mythology there are 9 Rasas
or sentiments on which the art is based. These Rasas
are Sringara, Vira, Karuna, Adbhuta, Hasya, Bhayanaka,
Bibhatsa, Raudra and Shanti. Bhanudatta of Mithila composed
Rasamanjari in the 16th century. This Sanskrit work
classifies Nayaks (heros) and Nayikas (heroines) according
to their temperament and behavior. Rasamanjari highlights
the Sringara Rasa, also called as the Rasaraja or the
supreme of all the Rasas.
The Sringara Rasa deals with the sensational and sensuous
mysteries of love, lovers and beloved. The text of Rasamanjari
speaks about the Nayak and Nayikas thirst of love, dissatisfaction
of sex, curiosity for extra marital sex, lack of complementing
each other in physical and emotional matter and the
ecstasy of love with the unison of purush and prakriti.
The profoundness of the theme discussing the various
aspects of love shows that author must have closely
observed and experienced the subject. The beauty of
the text-attracted attention of the rulers and the artists
all over India hence illustrations based on Rasamanjari
were executed in different schools of painting.
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