Navarasa are the nine emotions shown through dance. These are the emotions humans show according to situations. Humans are encountered with so many situations that the emotions play a very important role in our lives. The nine emotions are Shringara (love, beauty), Hasya (laughter, happiness), Karuna (sorrow), Raudra (anger), Veera (heroism, courage), Bhayanka (terror, fear), Bibhatsya (disgust), Adbutha (surprise, wonder) and Shantha (peace, tranquility). These emotions are part of the Nritya aspect of Kathak.
Kathak is a storytelling art form so showing emotions is a very important part of dance. Through Kathak we can tell any type of story because all emotions are shown and can be used. To master the art of storytelling through your facial expressions is very difficult because when you show emotions/expressions during a situation its natural but when you perform you have to fake it. Sometimes it can look too forced or too bland so you have to practice.
-Vaishnavi P
Indian Classical Dance: Kathak 