Raslila - Revision history

KrystleZiemba7: content update

2026-01-30T23:16:37Z

content update

ImportMaster: robot: Create/update articles in Category:Hindu gods.

2022-12-23T08:22:26Z

robot: Create/update articles in Category:Hindu gods.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:52, 23 December 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{short description\|~~Dance~~ of Radha Krishna with ~~gopis~~}}		[[File:Krishna and Radha dancing the Rasalila, Jaipur, 19th century.jpg\|thumb\|[[Krishna]] and [[Radha]] dancing the rasalila, a 19th-century painting, Rajasthan]]{{short description\|Divine dance of Radha Krishna with Gopis}}
	{{About\|\|the 1975 film\|Rasaleela (1975 film)\|the 2012 film\|Rasaleela (2012 film)}}		{{About\|\|the 1975 film\|Rasaleela (1975 film)\|the 2012 film\|Rasaleela (2012 film)}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2018}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2018}}
	The '''Raslila''' ([[IAST]] ''{{IAST\|rāsa-līlā}}'') ({{lang-hi\|रास लीला}}) or '''Ras dance''' or '''Krishna Tandava''', is part of the traditional story of [[Krishna]] described in Hindu scriptures such as the [[Bhagavata Purana]] and literature such as the [[Gita Govinda]], where he dances with [[Radha]] and her [[Gopi\|sakhis]] (Gopis). The [[Indian classical dance]] of [[Kathak]] evolved from the 'Raslila of [[Braj]] and ''[[Manipuri Raas Leela]] Classical Dance'' ([[Vrindavan]]a) also known as ''Natwari Nritya'', which was revived in 1960s by the Kathak dancer, [[Uma Sharma]].<ref>{{cite book \|title=Indian theatre: traditions of performance\|last=Richmond \|first=Farley P. \|author2=Darius L. Swann\|author3=Phillip B. Zarrilli\|year=1993 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass\|isbn=81-208-0981-5\|page=197 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3HIh7oPkvAMC&q=Uma+Sharma&pg=PA198 }}</ref>
	~~[[File:Krishna and Radha dancing the Rasalila, Jaipur, 19th century.jpg\|thumb\|[[Krishna]] and [[Radha]] dancing the Rasalila, a 19th-century painting, Rajasthan]]~~

	The term, ''[[Rasa (aesthetics)\|rasa]]'' meaning "aesthetics" and ''[[lila (Hinduism)\|lila]]'' meaning "act," "play" or "dance" is a concept from [[Hinduism]], which roughly translates to "play (lila) of aesthetics (rasa)," or more broadly as "Dance of Divine Love".<ref>{{cite book \| author = Schweig, G.M~~. \| year = 2005~~ \| title = Dance of divine love: The Rasa Lila of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story \| publisher = Princeton University Press~~, Princeton, NJ; Oxford~~ \| isbn = 0-691-11446-3s}}</ref>		The '''rasalila''' ({{Lang-sa\|रासलीला\|translit=Rāsalīlā}}),<ref>{{Cite web \|last=www.wisdomlib.org \|date=1970-01-01 \|title=Rasalila, Rāsalīlā, Rasa-lila: 1 definition \|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/rasalila \|access-date=2022-12-23 \|website=www.wisdomlib.org \|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book \|last=Bryant \|first=Edwin \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mBMxPdgrBhoC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA445&dq=rasalila+krishna&hl=en \|title=The Hare Krishna Movement: The Postcharismatic Fate of a Religious Transplant \|last2=Ekstrand \|first2=Maria \|date=2004-06-23 \|publisher=Columbia University Press \|isbn=978-0-231-50843-8 \|pages=445 \|language=en}}</ref> also rendered the '''raslila''' or the r'''as dance''', is part of the traditional story of [[Krishna]] described in Hindu scriptures such as the [[Bhagavata Purana]] and literature such as the [[Gita Govinda]], where he dances with [[Radha]] and the [[Gopi\|gopis]] of [[Braj\|Vraja]]. Rasalila has also been a popular theme for other India classical dances including [[Bharatanatyam]], [[Odissi]], [[Manipuri Raas Leela\|Manipuri]], [[Kuchipudi]], and [[Kathak]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Mohapatra \|first=J. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UdpzAgAAQBAJ&dq=worship+radha&pg=PA164 \|title=Wellness In Indian Festivals & Rituals \|date=2013 \|publisher=Partridge Publishing \|isbn=978-1-4828-1690-7 \|pages=164 \|language=en}}</ref> The [[Indian classical dance]] of Kathak evolved from the rasalila of [[Braj\|Vraja]] and ''Manipuri Raas Leela Classical Dance'' ([[Vrindavan]]a) also known as ''Natwari Nritya'', which was revived in 1960s by the Kathak dancer, [[Uma Sharma]].<ref>{{cite book \|title=Indian theatre: traditions of performance\|last=Richmond \|first=Farley P. \|author2=Darius L. Swann\|author3=Phillip B. Zarrilli\|year=1993 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass\|isbn=81-208-0981-5\|page=197 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3HIh7oPkvAMC&q=Uma+Sharma&pg=PA198 }}</ref>
			==Etymology==
			The term, ''[[Rasa (aesthetics)\|rasa]]'' meaning "aesthetics" and ''[[lila (Hinduism)\|lila]]'' meaning "act," "play" or "dance" is a concept from [[Hinduism]], which roughly translates to "play (lila) of aesthetics (rasa)," or more broadly as "Dance of Divine Love".<ref>{{cite book \|author=Schweig \|first=G.M \|title=Dance of divine love: The Rasa Lila of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story \|publisher=Princeton University Press \|year=2005 \|isbn=0-691-11446-3 \|location=New York \|language=English}}</ref> Apart from the definition above, the term also comes from the Sanskrit words ''[[wikt:rasa\|rasa]]'' and ''[[wikt:lila\|lila]]'', with ''rasa'' meaning "juice", "nectar", "emotion" or "sweet taste" and ''lila'' meaning "act". By taking this etymological breakdown of the word literally, "rasalila" means the "sweet act" (of [[Krishna]]). It is often freely rendered as "the dance of love".

	The ~~Rasa lila~~ takes place one night when the [[~~Gopi~~]]s of [[Vrindavan]]a, upon hearing the sound of Krishna's [[Bansuri\|flute]], sneak away from their households and families to the forest to dance with Krishna throughout the night, which Krishna supernaturally stretches to the length of one [[Kalpa (aeon)\|kalpa]], a [[Hindu units of time\|Hindu unit of time]] lasting approximately 4.32 billion years. In the Krishna [[Bhakti]] traditions, the rasa-lila is considered to be one most beautiful depiction of soulful love... In these traditions, romantic love between human beings in the [[Maya (illusion)#Maya in Hindu philosophy\|material world]] is seen as a reflection of the soul's original, ecstatic spiritual love of Krishna, ~~God~~, ~~in the~~ [[~~goloka\|spiritual world~~]].		== Legend ==
			{{Vaishnavism}}
			The rasalila takes place one night when the [[gopi]]s of [[Vrindavan]]a, upon hearing the sound of Krishna's [[Bansuri\|flute]], sneak away from their households and families to the forest to dance with Krishna throughout the night, which Krishna supernaturally stretches to the length of one [[Kalpa (aeon)\|kalpa]], a [[Hindu units of time\|Hindu unit of time]] lasting approximately 4.32 billion years. In the Krishna [[Bhakti]] traditions, the rasa-lila is considered to be one most beautiful depiction of soulful love. In these traditions, romantic love between human beings in the [[Maya (illusion)#Maya in Hindu philosophy\|material world]] is seen as a reflection of the soul's original, ecstatic spiritual love of Krishna, in his spiritual world, [[Goloka]].

	In the Bhagavata Purana it is stated that whoever faithfully hears or describes the ~~Rasa lila~~ attains Krishna's ''pure loving devotion'' ([[Suddha-bhakti]]).<ref>[http://vedabase.net/sb/10/33/39/en2 Bhag-P 10.33.39] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618004341/http://vedabase.net/sb/10/33/39/en2 \|date=2008-06-18 }}</ref>		In the Bhagavata Purana it is stated that whoever faithfully hears or describes the rasalila attains Krishna's ''pure loving devotion'' ([[Suddha-bhakti]]).<ref>[http://vedabase.net/sb/10/33/39/en2 Bhag-P 10.33.39] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618004341/http://vedabase.net/sb/10/33/39/en2\|date=2008-06-18}}</ref>

	Just as a child plays at its own will with its reflection in a mirror, ~~even so~~ with the help of ~~His Yogamāyā Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa~~ sported with the ~~Gopīs~~, who ~~were like many~~ shadows of ~~His~~ own form.<ref name="golove">{{cite book \| title=Gopīs' Love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa\| ~~last~~=~~Hanumanprasad\| first=Poddar~~\| year=1941~~\| publisher=Gita Press~~\| location=Gorakhpur}}</ref>		Just as a child plays at its own will with its reflection in a mirror, with the help of his [[Yogamaya]], Krishna sported with the gopis, who are regarded to have been shadows of his own form.<ref name="golove">{{cite book \|last=Hanumanprasad \|first=Poddar \|title=Gopīs' Love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa \|publisher=Gita Press \|year=1941 \|location=Gorakhpur}}</ref>

	~~==Etymology==~~
	Apart from the definition above, the term also comes from the Sanskrit words ''[[wikt:rasa\|rasa]]'' and ''[[wikt:lila\|lila]]'', with ''rasa'' meaning "juice", "nectar", "emotion" or "sweet taste" and ''lila'' meaning "act". By taking this etymological breakdown of the word literally, "Rasa Lila" means the "sweet act" (of [[Krishna]]). It is often freely rendered as "the dance of love".

	==Performance==		==Performance==
	~~Rasa lila~~ has been a popular theme in [[Kathak]], [[Bharatanatyam]],<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Performing Arts\|first=Ahalya\|date=22 December 2016\|title=Rasa Lila / Rasakreeda Bharata Natyam Performance\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsQroDxqrCk \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/qsQroDxqrCk \|archive-date=2021-12-21 \|url-status=live\|access-date=29 June 2020\|website=Ahalya Performing Arts}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Odissi]], [[Bishnupriya Manipuri people\|Manipuri]], and [[Kuchipudi]] ~~items~~. ~~Rasa Lila~~ is a popular form of folk theatre in the regions of [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh\|Mathura]], [[Vrindavan]]a in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Nathdwara]] amongst various followers of [[pushtimarg]] or the [[vallabh sect]] and other sects in the regions of India. It is also seen in [[gaudiya vaishnavism]] in [[Nadia]] a district of West Bengal which is also known for Raas Utsava. Vanga Raas of Santipur is the main festival of this town, [[Nabadwip]] also has Shakta Raas.		Rasalila has been a popular theme in [[Kathak]], [[Bharatanatyam]],<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Performing Arts\|first=Ahalya\|date=22 December 2016\|title=Rasa Lila / Rasakreeda Bharata Natyam Performance\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsQroDxqrCk \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/qsQroDxqrCk \|archive-date=2021-12-21 \|url-status=live\|access-date=29 June 2020\|website=Ahalya Performing Arts}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Odissi]], [[Bishnupriya Manipuri people\|Manipuri]], and [[Kuchipudi]] dance forms. rasalila is a popular form of folk theatre in the regions of [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh\|Mathura]], [[Vrindavan]]a in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Nathdwara]] amongst various followers of [[pushtimarg]] or the [[vallabh sect]] and other sects in the regions of India. It is also seen in [[gaudiya vaishnavism]] in [[Nadia]] a district of West Bengal which is also known for Raas Utsava. Vanga Raas of Santipur is the main festival of this town, [[Nabadwip]] also has Shakta Raas.

	Raas Leela (Raas Mahotsav) is also observed as one of the State Festivals of [[Assam]] which usually is celebrated during ~~Late~~ November or ~~Early~~ December. During Raas Mahotsava, several thousand devotees visit the holy temples and [[Satra (Ekasarana Dharma)\|~~Xatra~~]]s of Assam every year. The Raas Mahotsav of Majuli, Nalbari and Of Howly ~~deserve a special mention in this regard~~.		The Raas Leela (Raas Mahotsav) is also observed as one of the State Festivals of [[Assam]] which usually is celebrated during late November or early December. During Raas Mahotsava, several thousand devotees visit the holy temples and [[Satra (Ekasarana Dharma)\|satra]]s of Assam every year. The Raas Mahotsav of Majuli, Nalbari and of Howly are noteworthy.

	[[File:Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style.jpg\|thumb\|left\|''Raas Leela'' in Manipuri classical Indian dance style]]		[[File:Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style.jpg\|thumb\|left\|''Raas Leela'' in Manipuri classical Indian dance style]]
	In the tradition of [[Vaishnavism of Manipur]] ''Raas Leela'' is depicted within [[Manipuri dance\|Manipuri classical Indian dance]] and revolves around the story of love between Krishna and [[Radha]], his divine beloved. This form of dance was started by [[Bhagya Chandra]] in 1779 and in some parts of India is still performed every year on [[Krishna Janmashtami]] (the festival to celebrate Krishna's ''birthday''). According to different traditions, the rasa-lila is performed either by boys and girls, or by girls only. The dance is performed holding ''dandi'' (sticks) and is often accompanied with folk songs and [[Bhajan\|devotional music]].		In the tradition of [[Vaishnavism of Manipur]] ''Raas Leela'' is depicted within [[Manipuri dance\|Manipuri classical Indian dance]] and revolves around the story of love between Krishna and [[Radha]], his divine beloved. This form of dance was started by [[Bhagya Chandra]] in 1779 and in some parts of India is still performed every year on [[Krishna Janmashtami]] (the festival to celebrate Krishna's ''birthday''). According to different traditions, the rasa-lila is performed either by boys and girls, or by girls only. The dance is performed holding ''dandi'' (sticks) and is often accompanied with folk songs and [[Bhajan\|devotional music]].

	The ~~Traditional Rasa Lila~~ performances in Vrindavan are famous throughout the ~~Vaisnava~~ world as an experience of the spiritual world. ~~Rasa Lila~~ performance was started by Swami Sri Uddhavaghamanda Devacharya in the early 15th Century CE at Vamshivata in Vrindavan, [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh\|Mathura]]. He was a prominent saint of the [[Nimbarka Sampradaya]], and disciple of the world-renowned Swami Sri Harivyasa Devacarya. The Vani literature of Vraja is the transcription of the songs that were heard by Swami Harivyasa Devacarya and his Guru, Swami Shri Shribhatta as they meditated on the Nitya Lila of ~~Shri~~ [[Radha]] [[Krishna]]. These songs describe the eternal spiritual abode of ~~Shri~~ [[Radha]] [[Krishna]], the Sakhis and Nitya Vrindavana Dham - or Nikunja Dham. It became more prominent utsava in 16th and 17th century, when Mahaprabhu Shri [[Vallabhacharya]] and [[Vitthalanatha]] gusaiji made it more popular~~. Their [[Granthas]] in sanskrit and the kiratans of [[ashtachap]] in [[vrajbhasha]] described this Lila in a very pleasant, interesting and a realistic manner.~~		The traditional rasalila performances in Vrindavan are famous throughout the Vaishnava world as an experience of the spiritual world. rasalila performance was started by Swami Sri Uddhavaghamanda Devacharya in the early 15th Century CE at Vamshivata in Vrindavan, [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh\|Mathura]]. He was a prominent saint of the [[Nimbarka Sampradaya]], and disciple of the world-renowned Swami Sri Harivyasa Devacarya. The Vani literature of Vraja is the transcription of the songs that were heard by Swami Harivyasa Devacarya and his Guru, Swami Shri Shribhatta as they meditated on the Nitya Lila of [[Radha]] [[Krishna]]. These songs describe the eternal spiritual abode of [[Radha]] [[Krishna]], the Sakhis and Nitya Vrindavana Dham - or Nikunja Dham. It became more prominent utsava in 16th and 17th century, when Mahaprabhu Shri [[Vallabhacharya]] and [[Vitthalanatha]] gusaiji made it more popular.

	As many new devotees of that time could not understand the Vraja language, Swami Uddavaghamanda Devacarya trained his [[Brahmacharya\|Brahmachari]] students to play the parts that appeared in the songs in order to get a visual representation of the Lila that was being described. Many were sceptical of this, and attempted to thwart the first enactment. However, at the conclusion of the first Rasa Lila, tradition has it, the Lord Himself appeared and gave the actors his own Crown, and decreed that whenever a qualified actor was to take the part of the Lord, from the moment he put on the crown on his head, it should be understood that he represents the Lila potency of God, and treated with due respect. Shri Radha and Krsna shall be known as Shri Radha Rasavihari.

	Since then, the traditional form has remained that actors who are young Brahmacharis will join a group led by the Swami of that group. The music remains the typical [[Dhrupad]]a style of the Vraja Acharyas who penned the songs they heard to the accompaniment of [[Sitar]] and [[Pakhavaj\|Pakhawaj]] and the songs are sung in Vraja Language, a parent to modern [[Hindi]].

	~~Recently, many people have changed the traditional music to popular music. Yet there are a dedicated few who seek to preserve the traditional form of devotional art known as Rasa Lila~~.

	==References ~~and notes~~==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
			==Further reading==
	* ''Music in traditional Indian theatre: special reference to Raas Leela'', by Rani Balbir Kaur. Shubhi Publications, 2006. {{ISBN\|978-81-87226-99-4}}.		* ''Music in traditional Indian theatre: special reference to Raas Leela'', by Rani Balbir Kaur. Shubhi Publications, 2006. {{ISBN\|978-81-87226-99-4}}.

	==Bibliography==		==Bibliography==
	*''Dance of Divine Love: The ~~Rasa Lila~~ of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story'', by Graham M. Schweig. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ; 2005 ({{ISBN\|0-691-11446-3}}).		*''Dance of Divine Love: The rasalila of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story'', by Graham M. Schweig. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ; 2005 ({{ISBN\|0-691-11446-3}}).
	*''Rasa - Love Relationships in Transcendence'', by [[Swami B.V. Tripurari]] ({{ISBN\|978-1-886069-10-7}})		*''Rasa - Love Relationships in Transcendence'', by [[Swami B.V. Tripurari]] ({{ISBN\|978-1-886069-10-7}})
	*''Theatre and Religion on Krishna's Stage'', by David Mason, New York: Palgrave, 2009		*''Theatre and Religion on Krishna's Stage'', by David Mason, New York: Palgrave, 2009
Line 44:		Line 38:
	== External links ==		== External links ==
	{{commons category\|Rasa Lila}}		{{commons category\|Rasa Lila}}
	* [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9062739/raslila ~~Raslila~~] at [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]		* [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9062739/raslila rasalila] at [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]
	* [http://haribhakt.com/what-is-raas-lila/ What is ~~Rasa Lila~~]		* [http://haribhakt.com/what-is-raas-lila/ What is rasalila]

	{{Dance in India}}		{{Dance in India}}

UpdateBot at 17:40, 30 June 2022

2022-06-30T17:40:20Z

imported>Ira Leviton: Fixed typos found with Wikipedia:Typo_Team/moss.

2021-07-19T23:55:49Z

Fixed typos found with Wikipedia:Typo_Team/moss.

New page

{{About||the 1975 film|Rasaleela (1975 film)|the 2012 film|Rasaleela (2012 film)}}
{{short description|Dance of Radha Krishna with gopis}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
[[File:Krishna and Radha dancing the Rasalila, Jaipur, 19th century.jpg|thumb|[[Krishna]] and [[Radha]] dancing the Rasalila, a 19th-century painting, Rajasthan]]

The '''Ras lila''' ([[IAST]] ''{{IAST|rāsa-līlā}}'') ({{lang-hi|रास लीला}}) or '''Ras dance''' or '''Krishna Tandava''', is part of the traditional story of [[Krishna]] described in Hindu scriptures such as the [[Bhagavata Purana]] and literature such as the [[Gita Govinda]], where he dances with [[Radha]] and her [[Gopi|sakhis]] (Gopis). The [[Indian classical dance]] of [[Kathak]] evolved from the 'Raslila of [[Braj]] and Manipuri Classical Dance' ([[Vrindavan]]a) also known as ''Natwari Nritya'', which was revived in 1960s by the Kathak dancer, [[Uma Sharma]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Indian theatre: traditions of performance|last=Richmond |first=Farley P. |author2=Darius L. Swann|author3=Phillip B. Zarrilli|year=1993 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=81-208-0981-5|page=197 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3HIh7oPkvAMC&q=Uma+Sharma&pg=PA198 }}</ref>

The term, ''[[Rasa (aesthetics)|rasa]]'' meaning "aesthetics" and ''[[lila (Hinduism)|lila]]'' meaning "act," "play" or "dance" is a concept from [[Hinduism]], which roughly translates to "play (lila) of aesthetics (rasa)," or more broadly as "Dance of Divine Love".<ref>{{cite book | author = Schweig, G.M. | year = 2005 | title = Dance of divine love: The Rasa Lila of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story | publisher = Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ; Oxford | isbn = 0-691-11446-3s}}</ref>

The rasa lila takes place one night when the [[Gopi]]s of [[Vrindavan]]a, upon hearing the sound of Krishna's [[Bansuri|flute]], sneak away from their households and families to the forest to dance with Krishna throughout the night, which Krishna supernaturally stretches to the length of one [[Kalpa (aeon)|Night of Brahma]], a [[Hindu units of time|Hindu unit of time]] lasting approximately 4.32 billion years. In the Krishna [[Bhakti]] traditions, the rasa-lila is considered to be one of the highest and most esoteric of Krishna's pastimes. In these traditions, romantic love between human beings in the [[Maya (illusion)#Maya in Hindu philosophy|material world]] is seen as a reflection of the soul’s original, ecstatic spiritual love of Krishna, God, in the [[goloka|spiritual world]].

In the Bhagavata Purana it is stated that whoever faithfully hears or describes the Rasa lila attains Krishna's ''pure loving devotion'' ([[Suddha-bhakti]]).<ref>[http://vedabase.net/sb/10/33/39/en2 Bhag-P 10.33.39] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618004341/http://vedabase.net/sb/10/33/39/en2 |date=2008-06-18 }}</ref>

Just as a child plays at its own will with its reflection in a mirror, even so with the help of His Yogamāyā Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa sported with the Gopīs, who were like many shadows of His own form.<ref name="golove">{{cite book | title=Gopīs' Love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa| last=Hanumanprasad| first=Poddar| year=1941| publisher=Gita Press| location=Gorakhpur}}</ref>

==Etymology==
Apart from the definition above, the term also comes from the Sanskrit words ''[[wikt:rasa|rasa]]'' and ''[[wikt:lila|lila]]'', with ''rasa'' meaning "juice", "nectar", "emotion" or "sweet taste" and ''lila'' meaning "act". By taking this etymological breakdown of the word literally, "Rasa Lila" means the "sweet act" (of [[Krishna]]). It is often freely rendered as "the dance of love".

==Performance==
Rasa lila has been a popular theme in [[Kathak]], [[Bharatanatyam]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Performing Arts|first=Ahalya|date=22 December 2016|title=Rasa Lila / Rasakreeda Bharata Natyam Performance|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsQroDxqrCk|access-date=29 June 2020|website=Ahalya Performing Arts}}</ref> [[Odissi]], [[Bishnupriya Manipuri people|Manipuri]], and [[Kuchipudi]] items. Rasa Lila is a popular form of folk theatre in the regions of [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]], [[Vrindavan]]a in [[Uttar Pradesh]], especially during the festivals of [[Krishna Janmashtami]] and [[Holi]], and amongst various followers of [[Gaudiya Vaishnavism]] in the region. [[Nadia]] a district of West Bengal which is also known for Raas Utsava. [[Vanga Raas of Santipur]] is the main festival of this town, [[Nabadwip]] also has [[Shakta Raas]].

Raas Leela (Raas Mahotsav) is also observed as one of the State Festivals of [[Assam]] which usually is celebrated during Late November or Early December. During Raas Mahotsava, several thousand devotees visit the holy temples and [[Satra (Ekasarana Dharma)|Xatra]]s of Assam every year. The Raas Mahotsav of Majuli, Nalbari and Of Howly deserve a special mention in this regard.

[[File:Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style.jpg|thumb|left|''Raas Leela'' in Manipuri classical Indian dance style]]
In the tradition of [[Vaishnavism of Manipur]] ''Raas Leela'' is depicted within [[Manipuri dance|Manipuri classical Indian dance]], and revolves around the same story of the love between ''Krishna'' and the cowherd girls and tells the divine love story of ''Krishna'', ''[[svayam bhagavan]]'' and ''[[Radha]]'', his divine beloved. This form of dance was started by [[Bhagya Chandra]] in 1779 and in some parts of India is still performed every year on [[Krishna Janmashtami]] (the festival to celebrate Krishna's ''birthday''). According to different traditions, the rasa-lila is performed either by boys and girls, or by girls only. The dance is performed holding ''dandi'' (sticks) and is often accompanied with folk songs and [[Bhajan|devotional music]].

The Traditional Rasa Lila performances in Vrindavan are famous throughout the Vaisnava world as an experience of the spiritual world. Rasa Lila performance was started by Swami Sri Uddhavaghamanda Devacharya in the early 15th Century CE at Vamshivata in Vrindavan, [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]]. He was a prominent saint of the [[Nimbarka Sampradaya]], and disciple of the world-renowned Swami Sri Harivyasa Devacarya. The Vani literature of Vraja is the transcription of the songs that were heard by Swami Harivyasa Devacarya and his Guru, Swami Shri Shribhatta as they meditated on the Nitya Lila of Shri [[Radha]] [[Krishna]]. These songs describe the eternal spiritual abode of Shri [[Radha]] [[Krishna]], the Sakhis and Nitya Vrindavana Dham - or Nikunja Dham.

As many new devotees of that time could not understand the Vraja language, Swami Uddavaghamanda Devacarya trained his [[Brahmacharya|Brahmachari]] students to play the parts that appeared in the songs in order to get a visual representation of the Lila that was being described. Many were sceptical of this, and attempted to thwart the first enactment. However, at the conclusion of the first Rasa Lila, tradition has it, the Lord Himself appeared and gave the actors his own Crown, and decreed that whenever a qualified actor was to take the part of the Lord, from the moment he put on the crown on his head, it should be understood that he represents the Lila potency of God, and treated with due respect. Shri Radha and Krsna shall be known as Shri Radha Rasavihari.

Since then, the traditional form has remained that actors who are young Brahmacharis will join a group led by the Swami of that group. The music remains the typical [[Dhrupad]]a style of the Vraja Acharyas who penned the songs they heard to the accompaniment of [[Sitar]] and [[Pakhavaj|Pakhawaj]] and the songs are sung in Vraja Language, a parent to modern [[Hindi]].

Recently, many people have changed the traditional music to popular music. Yet there are a dedicated few who seek to preserve the traditional form of devotional art known as Rasa Lila.

==References and notes==
{{reflist}}
* ''Music in traditional Indian theatre: special reference to Raas Leela'', by Rani Balbir Kaur. Shubhi Publications, 2006. {{ISBN|978-81-87226-99-4}}.

==Bibliography==
*''Dance of Divine Love: The Rasa Lila of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story'', by Graham M. Schweig. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ; 2005 ({{ISBN|0-691-11446-3}}).
*''Rasa - Love Relationships in Transcendence'', by [[Swami B.V. Tripurari]] ({{ISBN|978-1-886069-10-7}})
*''Theatre and Religion on Krishna's Stage'', by David Mason, New York: Palgrave, 2009
*"Essays on Indo-Aryan Mythology", by Narayan Aiyangar, 1898 ({{ISBN|1-104-83270-4}}) ({{ISBN|978-1-104-83270-4}})

== External links ==
{{commons category|Rasa Lila}}
* [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9062739/raslila Raslila] at [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]
* [http://haribhakt.com/what-is-raas-lila/ What is Rasa Lila]

{{Dance in India}}
{{Krishna}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rasa Lila}}
[[Category:Hindu philosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Vaishnavism]]
[[Category:Culture of Manipur]]
[[Category:Hindu dance traditions]]
[[Category:Culture of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Krishna]]
[[Category:Theatre in India]]
[[Category:Musical theatre]]
[[Category:Religious vernacular drama]]
[[Category:Festivals in Assam]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:10, 30 June 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{short description\|Dance of Radha Krishna with gopis}}
	{{About\|\|the 1975 film\|Rasaleela (1975 film)\|the 2012 film\|Rasaleela (2012 film)}}		{{About\|\|the 1975 film\|Rasaleela (1975 film)\|the 2012 film\|Rasaleela (2012 film)}}
	~~{{short description\|Dance of Radha Krishna with gopis}}~~
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2018}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2018}}
			The '''Raslila''' ([[IAST]] ''{{IAST\|rāsa-līlā}}'') ({{lang-hi\|रास लीला}}) or '''Ras dance''' or '''Krishna Tandava''', is part of the traditional story of [[Krishna]] described in Hindu scriptures such as the [[Bhagavata Purana]] and literature such as the [[Gita Govinda]], where he dances with [[Radha]] and her [[Gopi\|sakhis]] (Gopis). The [[Indian classical dance]] of [[Kathak]] evolved from the 'Raslila of [[Braj]] and ''[[Manipuri Raas Leela]] Classical Dance'' ([[Vrindavan]]a) also known as ''Natwari Nritya'', which was revived in 1960s by the Kathak dancer, [[Uma Sharma]].<ref>{{cite book \|title=Indian theatre: traditions of performance\|last=Richmond \|first=Farley P. \|author2=Darius L. Swann\|author3=Phillip B. Zarrilli\|year=1993 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass\|isbn=81-208-0981-5\|page=197 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3HIh7oPkvAMC&q=Uma+Sharma&pg=PA198 }}</ref>
	[[File:Krishna and Radha dancing the Rasalila, Jaipur, 19th century.jpg\|thumb\|[[Krishna]] and [[Radha]] dancing the Rasalila, a 19th-century painting, Rajasthan]]		[[File:Krishna and Radha dancing the Rasalila, Jaipur, 19th century.jpg\|thumb\|[[Krishna]] and [[Radha]] dancing the Rasalila, a 19th-century painting, Rajasthan]]

	The '''Ras lila''' ([[IAST]] ''{{IAST\|rāsa-līlā}}'') ({{lang-hi\|रास लीला}}) or '''Ras dance''' or '''Krishna Tandava''', is part of the traditional story of [[Krishna]] described in Hindu scriptures such as the [[Bhagavata Purana]] and literature such as the [[Gita Govinda]], where he dances with [[Radha]] and her [[Gopi\|sakhis]] (Gopis). The [[Indian classical dance]] of [[Kathak]] evolved from the 'Raslila of [[Braj]] and Manipuri Classical Dance' ([[Vrindavan]]a) also known as ''Natwari Nritya'', which was revived in 1960s by the Kathak dancer, [[Uma Sharma]].<ref>{{cite book \|title=Indian theatre: traditions of performance\|last=Richmond \|first=Farley P. \|author2=Darius L. Swann\|author3=Phillip B. Zarrilli\|year=1993 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass\|isbn=81-208-0981-5\|page=197 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3HIh7oPkvAMC&q=Uma+Sharma&pg=PA198 }}</ref>

	The term, ''[[Rasa (aesthetics)\|rasa]]'' meaning "aesthetics" and ''[[lila (Hinduism)\|lila]]'' meaning "act," "play" or "dance" is a concept from [[Hinduism]], which roughly translates to "play (lila) of aesthetics (rasa)," or more broadly as "Dance of Divine Love".<ref>{{cite book \| author = Schweig, G.M. \| year = 2005 \| title = Dance of divine love: The Rasa Lila of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story \| publisher = Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ; Oxford \| isbn = 0-691-11446-3s}}</ref>		The term, ''[[Rasa (aesthetics)\|rasa]]'' meaning "aesthetics" and ''[[lila (Hinduism)\|lila]]'' meaning "act," "play" or "dance" is a concept from [[Hinduism]], which roughly translates to "play (lila) of aesthetics (rasa)," or more broadly as "Dance of Divine Love".<ref>{{cite book \| author = Schweig, G.M. \| year = 2005 \| title = Dance of divine love: The Rasa Lila of Krishna from the Bhagavata Purana, India's classic sacred love story \| publisher = Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ; Oxford \| isbn = 0-691-11446-3s}}</ref>

	The ~~rasa~~ lila takes place one night when the [[Gopi]]s of [[Vrindavan]]a, upon hearing the sound of Krishna's [[Bansuri\|flute]], sneak away from their households and families to the forest to dance with Krishna throughout the night, which Krishna supernaturally stretches to the length of one [[Kalpa (aeon)\|~~Night of Brahma~~]], a [[Hindu units of time\|Hindu unit of time]] lasting approximately 4.32 billion years. In the Krishna [[Bhakti]] traditions, the rasa-lila is considered to be one ~~of the highest and~~ most ~~esoteric~~ of ~~Krishna's pastimes~~. In these traditions, romantic love between human beings in the [[Maya (illusion)#Maya in Hindu philosophy\|material world]] is seen as a reflection of the ~~soul’s~~ original, ecstatic spiritual love of Krishna, God, in the [[goloka\|spiritual world]].		The Rasa lila takes place one night when the [[Gopi]]s of [[Vrindavan]]a, upon hearing the sound of Krishna's [[Bansuri\|flute]], sneak away from their households and families to the forest to dance with Krishna throughout the night, which Krishna supernaturally stretches to the length of one [[Kalpa (aeon)\|kalpa]], a [[Hindu units of time\|Hindu unit of time]] lasting approximately 4.32 billion years. In the Krishna [[Bhakti]] traditions, the rasa-lila is considered to be one most beautiful depiction of soulful love... In these traditions, romantic love between human beings in the [[Maya (illusion)#Maya in Hindu philosophy\|material world]] is seen as a reflection of the soul's original, ecstatic spiritual love of Krishna, God, in the [[goloka\|spiritual world]].

	In the Bhagavata Purana it is stated that whoever faithfully hears or describes the Rasa lila attains Krishna's ''pure loving devotion'' ([[Suddha-bhakti]]).<ref>[http://vedabase.net/sb/10/33/39/en2 Bhag-P 10.33.39] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618004341/http://vedabase.net/sb/10/33/39/en2 \|date=2008-06-18 }}</ref>		In the Bhagavata Purana it is stated that whoever faithfully hears or describes the Rasa lila attains Krishna's ''pure loving devotion'' ([[Suddha-bhakti]]).<ref>[http://vedabase.net/sb/10/33/39/en2 Bhag-P 10.33.39] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618004341/http://vedabase.net/sb/10/33/39/en2 \|date=2008-06-18 }}</ref>
Line 18:		Line 17:

	==Performance==		==Performance==
	Rasa lila has been a popular theme in [[Kathak]], [[Bharatanatyam]],<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Performing Arts\|first=Ahalya\|date=22 December 2016\|title=Rasa Lila / Rasakreeda Bharata Natyam Performance\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsQroDxqrCk\|access-date=29 June 2020\|website=Ahalya Performing Arts}}</ref> [[Odissi]], [[Bishnupriya Manipuri people\|Manipuri]], and [[Kuchipudi]] items. Rasa Lila is a popular form of folk theatre in the regions of [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh\|Mathura]], [[Vrindavan]]a in [[Uttar Pradesh]], ~~especially during the festivals~~ of [[~~Krishna Janmashtami~~]] ~~and~~ [[~~Holi~~]], and ~~amongst various followers~~ of [[~~Gaudiya Vaishnavism~~]] in ~~the region.~~ [[Nadia]] a district of West Bengal which is also known for Raas Utsava. [[Vanga Raas of Santipur]] is the main festival of this town, [[Nabadwip]] also has [[Shakta Raas]].		Rasa lila has been a popular theme in [[Kathak]], [[Bharatanatyam]],<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Performing Arts\|first=Ahalya\|date=22 December 2016\|title=Rasa Lila / Rasakreeda Bharata Natyam Performance\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsQroDxqrCk \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/qsQroDxqrCk \|archive-date=2021-12-21 \|url-status=live\|access-date=29 June 2020\|website=Ahalya Performing Arts}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Odissi]], [[Bishnupriya Manipuri people\|Manipuri]], and [[Kuchipudi]] items. Rasa Lila is a popular form of folk theatre in the regions of [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh\|Mathura]], [[Vrindavan]]a in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Nathdwara]] amongst various followers of [[pushtimarg]] or the [[vallabh sect]] and other sects in the regions of India. It is also seen in [[gaudiya vaishnavism]] in [[Nadia]] a district of West Bengal which is also known for Raas Utsava. Vanga Raas of Santipur is the main festival of this town, [[Nabadwip]] also has Shakta Raas.

	Raas Leela (Raas Mahotsav) is also observed as one of the State Festivals of [[Assam]] which usually is celebrated during Late November or Early December. During Raas Mahotsava, several thousand devotees visit the holy temples and [[Satra (Ekasarana Dharma)\|Xatra]]s of Assam every year. The Raas Mahotsav of Majuli, Nalbari and Of Howly deserve a special mention in this regard.		Raas Leela (Raas Mahotsav) is also observed as one of the State Festivals of [[Assam]] which usually is celebrated during Late November or Early December. During Raas Mahotsava, several thousand devotees visit the holy temples and [[Satra (Ekasarana Dharma)\|Xatra]]s of Assam every year. The Raas Mahotsav of Majuli, Nalbari and Of Howly deserve a special mention in this regard.

	[[File:Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style.jpg\|thumb\|left\|''Raas Leela'' in Manipuri classical Indian dance style]]		[[File:Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style.jpg\|thumb\|left\|''Raas Leela'' in Manipuri classical Indian dance style]]
	In the tradition of [[Vaishnavism of Manipur]] ''Raas Leela'' is depicted within [[Manipuri dance\|Manipuri classical Indian dance]], and revolves around the ~~same~~ story of ~~the~~ love between ''Krishna~~'' and the cowherd girls and tells the divine love story of ''Krishna'', ''[[svayam bhagavan]]''~~ and ''[[Radha]]'', his divine beloved. This form of dance was started by [[Bhagya Chandra]] in 1779 and in some parts of India is still performed every year on [[Krishna Janmashtami]] (the festival to celebrate Krishna's ''birthday''). According to different traditions, the rasa-lila is performed either by boys and girls, or by girls only. The dance is performed holding ''dandi'' (sticks) and is often accompanied with folk songs and [[Bhajan\|devotional music]].		In the tradition of [[Vaishnavism of Manipur]] ''Raas Leela'' is depicted within [[Manipuri dance\|Manipuri classical Indian dance]] and revolves around the story of love between Krishna and [[Radha]], his divine beloved. This form of dance was started by [[Bhagya Chandra]] in 1779 and in some parts of India is still performed every year on [[Krishna Janmashtami]] (the festival to celebrate Krishna's ''birthday''). According to different traditions, the rasa-lila is performed either by boys and girls, or by girls only. The dance is performed holding ''dandi'' (sticks) and is often accompanied with folk songs and [[Bhajan\|devotional music]].

	The Traditional Rasa Lila performances in Vrindavan are famous throughout the Vaisnava world as an experience of the spiritual world. Rasa Lila performance was started by Swami Sri Uddhavaghamanda Devacharya in the early 15th Century CE at Vamshivata in Vrindavan, [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh\|Mathura]]. He was a prominent saint of the [[Nimbarka Sampradaya]], and disciple of the world-renowned Swami Sri Harivyasa Devacarya. The Vani literature of Vraja is the transcription of the songs that were heard by Swami Harivyasa Devacarya and his Guru, Swami Shri Shribhatta as they meditated on the Nitya Lila of Shri [[Radha]] [[Krishna]]. These songs describe the eternal spiritual abode of Shri [[Radha]] [[Krishna]], the Sakhis and Nitya Vrindavana Dham - or Nikunja Dham.		The Traditional Rasa Lila performances in Vrindavan are famous throughout the Vaisnava world as an experience of the spiritual world. Rasa Lila performance was started by Swami Sri Uddhavaghamanda Devacharya in the early 15th Century CE at Vamshivata in Vrindavan, [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh\|Mathura]]. He was a prominent saint of the [[Nimbarka Sampradaya]], and disciple of the world-renowned Swami Sri Harivyasa Devacarya. The Vani literature of Vraja is the transcription of the songs that were heard by Swami Harivyasa Devacarya and his Guru, Swami Shri Shribhatta as they meditated on the Nitya Lila of Shri [[Radha]] [[Krishna]]. These songs describe the eternal spiritual abode of Shri [[Radha]] [[Krishna]], the Sakhis and Nitya Vrindavana Dham - or Nikunja Dham. It became more prominent utsava in 16th and 17th century, when Mahaprabhu Shri [[Vallabhacharya]] and [[Vitthalanatha]] gusaiji made it more popular. Their [[Granthas]] in sanskrit and the kiratans of [[ashtachap]] in [[vrajbhasha]] described this Lila in a very pleasant, interesting and a realistic manner.

	As many new devotees of that time could not understand the Vraja language, Swami Uddavaghamanda Devacarya trained his [[Brahmacharya\|Brahmachari]] students to play the parts that appeared in the songs in order to get a visual representation of the Lila that was being described. Many were sceptical of this, and attempted to thwart the first enactment. However, at the conclusion of the first Rasa Lila, tradition has it, the Lord Himself appeared and gave the actors his own Crown, and decreed that whenever a qualified actor was to take the part of the Lord, from the moment he put on the crown on his head, it should be understood that he represents the Lila potency of God, and treated with due respect. Shri Radha and Krsna shall be known as Shri Radha Rasavihari.		As many new devotees of that time could not understand the Vraja language, Swami Uddavaghamanda Devacarya trained his [[Brahmacharya\|Brahmachari]] students to play the parts that appeared in the songs in order to get a visual representation of the Lila that was being described. Many were sceptical of this, and attempted to thwart the first enactment. However, at the conclusion of the first Rasa Lila, tradition has it, the Lord Himself appeared and gave the actors his own Crown, and decreed that whenever a qualified actor was to take the part of the Lord, from the moment he put on the crown on his head, it should be understood that he represents the Lila potency of God, and treated with due respect. Shri Radha and Krsna shall be known as Shri Radha Rasavihari.