Cinema Through Rasa discusses the important works of the world cinema in the light of Rasa Siddhānta of the Indian classical aesthetics. Rasa Siddhānta was first mentioned in Bharata Muni’s Nāṭyaśāstra – the ancient treatise on dramaturgy. This book catalogues the major cinematic works in the light of Abhinavabhāratī – a tenth-century commentary on the Nāṭyaśāstra by the great Kashmiri Śaivite philosopher Abhinavagupta. Further, it outlines the links between puruṣārtha, the cultural value system of life pursuits in Indian tradition, and aesthetics while citing examples from the works of major directors such as Orson Welles, Luis Buñuel, Ingmar Bergman, Akira Kurosawa, Andrei Tarkovsky, Alfred Hitchcock, Carl Dreyer, Charlie Chaplin, Sergei Eisenstein, Robert Bresson and Satyajit Ray. Using contemporary scholars’ interpretation of non-dualistic Kashmir Śaivism tradition, Cinema Through Rasa aims to serve as a tribute to Abhinavagupta’s genius, a commentary on important ideas such as rasa, nature of emotions, cinema and beauty along with a tryst with the masterpieces of the world cinema. The meaning of this book is summarized by this verse – na hi rasād r̥te kaścid arthaḥ pravartate – the medium of cinema, though modern, should be seen as resting in the power of rasa without which nothing makes any sense. This book is a translation of the original Hindi book Abhinava Cinema, which was first published in 2016. Abhinava Cinema was lauded as innovative, path-breaking and a must-read for students of literature and cinema studies by scholars and critics. CONTENTS 1. Aesthetics of Hindi Cinema: Long Forgotten Directors and Their Outstanding Works 2. Study of World Cinema from an Indian Aesthetic Perspective Why Films Are Important? Perspicacity into Films as Seen Through the Indian Classical Aesthetics 3. The Unparalleled World of Frightening Cinema: Films of the Bhayānaka Rasa 4. Rasa-Siddhānta, Vībhatsa Rasa and World Cinema The Doctrine of the Expression of Rasa in Drama Hideous (Jugupsā) Sentiment and Vībhatsa Rasa Unsavoury Disgust (Udvegī Vībhatsa) Manifestation Due to Extreme Agitation (Kṣobhaja Vībhatsa) Pure Disgust 5. Astonishment and Miracle: Remarkable Films of the Adbhuta Rasa Alaukika (Supernatural) Adbhuta Rasa Ānandaja (Pleasurable) Adbhuta Rasa 6. World Renowned and Unforgettable Films of the Vīra Rasa Dāna Vīra Rasa Dharma Vīra Rasa Yuddha Vīra Rasa 7. Bereavement, Anguish and Duty: Karuṇa Rasa and World Cinema Obstacles in Following the Righteous Path Loss of Wealth Gloom Born Out of Death 8. Anger and Ferocity: Important Films of the Raudra Rasa 9. Laughter, Fun and Satire: Unparalleled Examples of the Hāsya Rasa in World Cinema Hāsya Rasa and the Jester Great Works of Other Stalwarts Pertaining to Hāsya Rasa 10. Love, Separation and Union: Great Films of the Śr̥ṅgāra Rasa in World Cinema Artha Śr̥ṅgāra Dharma Śr̥ṅgāra Sneha Śr̥ṅgāra Bhakti Śr̥ṅgāra Vātsalya Śr̥ṅgāra Kāma Śr̥ṅgāra Śr̥ṅgāra in Union Śr̥ṅgāra in Separation 11. Aesthetics of Cinema in Cinema Glossary Filmography Bibiliography General Index Film Index