Emotions Unveiled! – Class 6 Arts Chapter 16 Notes & NCERT PDF

Introduction

The Theatre section of Kriti opens with a verse from the Natyashastra (Chapter I):

Etadraseshu bhaveshu sarvakarmakriyasu cha | Sarvopadeshajananam natyametadbhavishyati ||

Meaning: Drama will be educative to all, through the actions, situations and emotions arising out of it.

This first theatre chapter is all about emotions — noticing them, naming them and showing them. You will play games, learn how ancient India and ancient Greece thought about emotions on stage, and make your own masks. Remember: in theatre there is no wrong answer.

Key Ideas

Scene 1: Understanding Emotions — the Hot Seat game

Sometimes we feel two emotions at once — losing a game because a friend cheated makes us both sad and angry. That is normal; what matters is knowing what you are feeling.

Rasa and Bhava

After years of study, the ancient rishis grouped all emotions into just nine — the Navarasa. This is based on two ideas:

Two people in the same situation can feel different rasas because their bhava is different. Example: your team wins — you are thrilled, but your friend is only mildly happy because his favourite player didn't score.

The Navarasa (nine rasas)

The Natyashastra and the story of Natyotpatti

The Navarasa comes from the Natyashastra, written by Bharata Muni — more than 2500 years old, with about 6000 verses in 36 chapters. It covers everything from reading a story to make-up, costume, lights, music, dance, rehearsals, discipline and safety.

Natyotpatti (the birth of performing art): Brahma saw that the Devas had become lazy. He created the Natya Veda — dialogue from the Rigveda, movement from the Yajurveda, music from the Samaveda and emotions from the Atharvaveda. The Devas could not understand it, so Brahma asked Bharata Muni to simplify it. Bharata Muni wrote the Natyashastra and, with his 100 children, presented a performance that thrilled the Devas. That is why the Natyashastra is called the fifth Veda.

Scene 2: Exploring Emotions with voice and body

Emotions are shown not only through the face but also through voice and body language. You play Hot Seat again — this time reacting with voice and action.

Emotions on stage in ancient Greece

Activities

- Cardboard half mask — fold paper in half for symmetry, cut the outline, mark eyes and nose, bend the cardboard on a table edge to fit the face, decorate, and make two holes near the ears for thread or elastic.

- Paper full mask — stick wet newspaper pieces over half a balloon in 5–6 layers (last layer with glue); drying and re-layering takes about three days; then burst the balloon, cut the shape and paint.

Key Terms

Artists & Traditions Mentioned

Connect to Your Life

Try noting the emotions you feel in one day and give each the name of a rasa. When you read a storybook, mark each emotional moment with its rasa.

Common Mistakes

Let's Reflect