By: Swati Bhat
‘Breath and Emotion: A Masterclass on Performances,’ conducted by Vinay Kumar K J of Adishakti, was a standout event at IFFI. As a protégé of Veenapani Chawla and the Artistic Director at Adishakti, Vinay infused his session with discipline, tradition, and insight. Shri Prabhat, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, recognized Vinay’s contributions prior to the session. Vinay engaged the audience directly, transforming the environment into a collaborative exploration. He encouraged the audience to reconsider their understanding of emotion, highlighting its evolution over time and across cultures.
Vinay stressed the importance of the body’s role in expressing emotions, proposing that gestures are acquired behaviors. Vinay asserted that breath, rather than the brain, governs human mechanics. He explained that breath affects muscularity and emotion, which manifests physiologically before psychologically. He connected this to ancient Indian wisdom, acknowledging the complexity of contemporary emotional challenges. Vinay delved into the Navarasa, illustrating how each rasa elicits a distinct bodily response and breath pattern. He emphasized the subtle rhythms in communication, such as gestures and breath signals. Through demonstrations and interaction, Vinay’s masterclass provided profound insights into the interplay of breath, body, and emotion, offering valuable knowledge for performers and anyone interested in a deeper understanding of the human condition.
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