ENERGISING RASA THEORY: BREATH, EMPATHY, AND WELL-BEING IN CONTEMPORARY ACTOR TRAINING

Breath has emerged as the preferred locus of performance energy over the last two decades, presenting a pragmatic approach to questions of contemporary actor training, postStanislavskian approaches (such as psychophysical approaches) and vitalisation of traditional performance practices (such as K...

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Main Authors: Mallika Prasad, Ram Ganesh Kamatham
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kazakh National Academy of Choreography 2022-06-01
Series:Arts Academy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://artsacademy.kz/en/magazine-article/218
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author Mallika Prasad
Ram Ganesh Kamatham
author_facet Mallika Prasad
Ram Ganesh Kamatham
author_sort Mallika Prasad
collection DOAJ
description Breath has emerged as the preferred locus of performance energy over the last two decades, presenting a pragmatic approach to questions of contemporary actor training, postStanislavskian approaches (such as psychophysical approaches) and vitalisation of traditional performance practices (such as Kutiyattam and Kalaripayattu). In this paper, we elaborate outwards from this “rediscovery” of breath, to offer a methodological base from which to engage the concept of Rasa which occupies a pre-eminent position within Indian aesthetics. We argue that the constellation of bodily practices arising from within this field of knowledge, far from esoteric traditionalisms, inform the neuro-physiological basis for empathy. Practical engagement with these neuro-physiological processes widens understanding of the importance and role of well-being in contemporary actor training. We argue that a shift towards this well-being based approach within conservatories and performance training institutes, is a necessary adaptation to meet the challenges of a postpandemic world.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2523-4684
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publishDate 2022-06-01
publisher Kazakh National Academy of Choreography
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spelling doaj-art-ca09b71bb50b4ae08439924cc436fb732025-08-20T03:54:07ZengKazakh National Academy of ChoreographyArts Academy2523-46842791-12412022-06-0122384510.56032/2523-4684.2022.2.2.38ENERGISING RASA THEORY: BREATH, EMPATHY, AND WELL-BEING IN CONTEMPORARY ACTOR TRAININGMallika Prasad0Ram Ganesh Kamatham1Vachika & Actors Ensemble India Forum (AEIF)Vachika & Actors Ensemble India Forum (AEIF)Breath has emerged as the preferred locus of performance energy over the last two decades, presenting a pragmatic approach to questions of contemporary actor training, postStanislavskian approaches (such as psychophysical approaches) and vitalisation of traditional performance practices (such as Kutiyattam and Kalaripayattu). In this paper, we elaborate outwards from this “rediscovery” of breath, to offer a methodological base from which to engage the concept of Rasa which occupies a pre-eminent position within Indian aesthetics. We argue that the constellation of bodily practices arising from within this field of knowledge, far from esoteric traditionalisms, inform the neuro-physiological basis for empathy. Practical engagement with these neuro-physiological processes widens understanding of the importance and role of well-being in contemporary actor training. We argue that a shift towards this well-being based approach within conservatories and performance training institutes, is a necessary adaptation to meet the challenges of a postpandemic world. https://artsacademy.kz/en/magazine-article/218actor trainingbreath in performancewell-beingrasa theorytheatre pedagogymirror neurons
spellingShingle Mallika Prasad
Ram Ganesh Kamatham
ENERGISING RASA THEORY: BREATH, EMPATHY, AND WELL-BEING IN CONTEMPORARY ACTOR TRAINING
Arts Academy
actor training
breath in performance
well-being
rasa theory
theatre pedagogy
mirror neurons
title ENERGISING RASA THEORY: BREATH, EMPATHY, AND WELL-BEING IN CONTEMPORARY ACTOR TRAINING
title_full ENERGISING RASA THEORY: BREATH, EMPATHY, AND WELL-BEING IN CONTEMPORARY ACTOR TRAINING
title_fullStr ENERGISING RASA THEORY: BREATH, EMPATHY, AND WELL-BEING IN CONTEMPORARY ACTOR TRAINING
title_full_unstemmed ENERGISING RASA THEORY: BREATH, EMPATHY, AND WELL-BEING IN CONTEMPORARY ACTOR TRAINING
title_short ENERGISING RASA THEORY: BREATH, EMPATHY, AND WELL-BEING IN CONTEMPORARY ACTOR TRAINING
title_sort energising rasa theory breath empathy and well being in contemporary actor training
topic actor training
breath in performance
well-being
rasa theory
theatre pedagogy
mirror neurons
url https://artsacademy.kz/en/magazine-article/218
work_keys_str_mv AT mallikaprasad energisingrasatheorybreathempathyandwellbeingincontemporaryactortraining
AT ramganeshkamatham energisingrasatheorybreathempathyandwellbeingincontemporaryactortraining