Rasa (Sanskrit) means ’emotional fulfillment’ or ‘nectar’. The ancient ‘Rasa Theory of Aesthetic Appreciation’ has existed in India for millenniums, though mainly in the art of dance and literature.
Mumbiram’s romantically intertwined art and life has brought Rasa into the domain of visual art. It is not at all necessary to understand the ancient ‘Rasa Theory’. Rasa Art is directly attractive.
Mumbiram has created entirely new rules and standards for the game of Rasa Art.
In Rasa Art one never sees the painting on the canvas, the so called “Artwork”, in isolation. The intimate exchange of Rasa between the muses, the artist and eventually the artlover who appreciates the artwork are all of equal importance. All of these together make the cocktail of rasa that has to be relished to really take part in appreciation of Rasa Art.
The Artwork is more or less a symbol of all these interactions. The artist is the compere of the drama of these interactions.
Being a Rasa Artist appears to be very easy, yet it is very rare. One needs to have a passion for Rasa.
In the context of Vaishnava philosophy the highest goal of the practice of Bhakti is to discover your Svaroopa, your original constitutional position in Goloka, the eternal abode of Shri Krishna. In the intimate emotional states of attachment to Krishna the devotee experiences déjà-vue-like feelings. This is the Prema Vivarta state of loving attachment to Krishna. These are also the clues to one’s Svaroopa in Goloka.
Mumbiram was born with a passion for the Rasa that Krishna relished with the Pulindis and the Pulindis in turn relished with the Rasaraj. (sanskrit verse BG 6.43-44)
Mumbiram showed the courage to live the life of a classical Rasa Artist on his very own terms. It was very natural and easy. Mumbiram was following his Svaroopa-Rasa. It sustained the artist like magic.
Mumbiram had to travel the untrodden path. He was forgoing guaranteed sources of income and respectable and cozy life that would ensue . He had to cope with the disappointment that his dear friends and relatives expressed. Mumbiram was able to manage that arduous challenge because he was immersed in the nectarean affairs of the game of Rasa Art that he had chanced upon.
Each of these artworks have really happened in the life of Mumbiram, his real-life muses and the sincere art lovers from around the world who have witnessed the uniquely independent and romantic life of an artist.
