If we follow the path of spirituality in Indian culture, then one end of it takes us towards fine arts. Fine arts, be it sculpture, painting, singing or dancing. Since ancient times, fine arts have been a part of spiritual practice and their devotees have worshiped their deities through them.
What do devotee poets like Meera, Tulsi and Surdas say?
While singing a bhajan in a melodious voice, Meera says, ‘Payo ji main to Ram Ratan Dhan Payo…’ whereas Saint Tulsidas writes, ‘Siya Ram main sab jag jaani, karoon pranam jori jug paani’. The color of saint poet Surdas’s sadhana is filled with such love that whenever he meditates on his Kanhaiya, he gets filled with affection for him, then in this same feeling he sings, ‘Mother, I do not eat butter..’ .’
Whatever these verses, songs, poems or verses are, they all have the same feeling and if we understand the feeling more deeply, then the juice in them is the juice of devotion and the side of this devotion juice is adornment. In their own way, all the poets and writers of devotional poetry have beautifully presented the different feelings and aspects of Shringaar.
Makeup reveals the depth of human experience
An in-depth discussion took place on this aspect of Shringaar in the 10th annual festival Diverse Opinions: Perspective in collaboration with Asavari (Society). It is said here that adornment brings forth beauty, love and the depth of human experience. On Monday evening (6 January 2025), India Habitat Center located in the capital Delhi became witness to this beautiful conversation.
The program started with a discussion led by eminent classical dancer Padmashree Shovana Narayan and Dr. Suresh Goyal (former Director General ICCR). Along with this, Jatin Das (famous painter and sculptor), Sudip Sen (poet and writer), and Sohaila Kapoor (actress and director) also shared their views as special guests.
Sharing his views, painter Jatin Das said, “Makeup is not just an aesthetic expression, but it is a reflection of the heartbeat of life. It is the delicate balance between form and emotion, the way in which art touches the soul and makes even the invisible come alive. “Through this, you and I can see how beauty transcends boundaries, connecting the threads of our cultural heritage and human experience.”
Also, poet Sudeep Sen threw light on this and said, “Shringaar is a poetry of the senses, a celebration of beauty that speaks to the heart in a language beyond words. It is the place where art, love and life meet, and introduces us to the deeper aspects of the human soul. ,
Sohaila Kapoor said, “Makeup is the art of capturing the beauty of life through expression. “It is the essence of emotion, brought to life through movement and performance.”
Dancer Shovana Narayan shares her thoughts on the deeper meaning of Shringaar, saying, “Shringaar, for me, is not just an artistic form. It is the heartbeat of life, a language that speaks directly to the heart.’ He said that adornment is a feeling which is present even where there is nothing. This extinction, this separation is also one aspect of makeup. He said that instead of love, coincidence-disjunction, attachment-hatred, its canvas needs to be seen in a bigger and broader way.
The presentation of the meeting was emotional.
The center of attraction during the discussion was the presentation by dancer Madhura Phatak defining Shringar Ras based on Baithaki Bhav. As per the Kathak tradition, he performed Guru Vandana and offered Guru Pranam and then presented those aspects of Shringar which are included in the dance. She says that makeup can have many aspects. When a devotee’s relationship with God deepens, he not only takes blessings from him, but also gives blessings to him. See an example of this in the verse of Surdas.
‘Long live your queen Gopal.
Begibdo badhi hoye wiradh laat, mahari beautiful hair.
The power of destiny has come forth, red as the sea shell,
All Gokul’s life is life wealth, Barin’s Ursaal.
Madhura sang this verse and presented it in a dance form, enunciating every word with her fingers, eye gestures and palm movements, bringing the spirit of the meeting alive. She said that do not interpret makeup as makeup, nor is it glamour. This is not just the name of love between a man and a woman, all these things limit the aspect of adornment, its reality.
Actually makeup is a feeling of mind. Now it is up to you how beautifully you can decorate your sentiments. She says that, just like if someone has a feeling of jealousy, then the reason behind it is Shringar Rasa. As an example of this, she brings forward the incident of another conversation between Shri Krishna and the Gopis.
The incident is that the Gopis are reprimanding Krishna that he plays the flute all day long. Then she tells Bansi the reason for her jealousy and says, ‘O Bansi, what penance have you done? Krishna always holds you in his hands and also applies you to his lips.
‘Ri Bansi, who did penance
Rahat Girdhar Mukha Hi Cost
Drink juice on Adharan…’
Through his traditional performance, he introduced the audience to a deep emotional experience of song, dance, poetry and juice. She showed how makeup creates deep emotional connections in classical dance and how its expressions bring solace to the mind.
