NAVARASA? You mean nine types of juices.. do they really serve that on Deccan?? Aiyaayooo before I confuse you more, I jump straight to the explanation of the title..
In Bharatanatyam, the facial expressions or Abhinaya, plays a major role, as important as the movement of hands and legs. In context of abhinaya, comes Navarasa!! Nava means "Nine" and Rasa is often translated as "mood", "emotion", "expression" or "sentiment". Hence, the Navarasa refers to the nine expressions that humans often show.
Am I deviating from the topic ?? well NO. All I wanted to say was that when you travel by Air Deccan, you can enjoy all the expressions you can think of !!! Dont trust me?? Let me explain..
Before that, a brief synopsis on Air Deccan!! Air Deccan(AD) is an airline based in Bangalore, India. It was India's first low budget carrier and it is currently operating 300 flights to 59 destinations a day within India. It has grown rapidly since it first started air operations in 2003, and despite its almost disastrous maiden inaugural flight (which caught fire), it continued to grow.
Have you seen the ad of Air Deccan. Murali is the Malayalam actor who comes in it. The ad shows an old poor father, who made a toy aeroplane for his young son, travel for the first time in air. I love this ad because it shows what Air Deccan has actually achieved! Agreed that AD has competition now but it has certainly been the pioneer and has revolutionised "flying". AD has come as a dream-come-true for those who could never dream of flying so much so that now it has almost become a everyday affair for all. Kudos to AD for that.
Coming back to the topic, imagine you are travelling for the first time in air thanks to the low cost of Air Deccan.
AD and Hasya Rasa
- expressions related to Happiness, Laughter.
You log into their site as you know that you cannot book the ticket from any agent.
The site of AD is so overloaded that booking a ticket has become tougher a project than sending man to moon!! And once you get the whole thing right, maybe in your 98th attempt, it brings out the “hasya rasa” in you that you have finally managed to get that 1 rupee ticket. Can you imagine? You fly at a lower rate than by rail or road!!! Thats "happiness". Just a word to AD website managers - can they do something to make the transactions faster?
AD and Adbhuta Rasa\
- the expressions accompanying a feeling of amaze and wonder.
You wonder why and how AD has cut down its cost so drastically. Ofcourse the reason is to capture the market and maybe down the line, they would revise their fares. I was curious myself, and I found the following justification they offer on the "how" part.
1) Landing fees reduced by appx 50% by using smaller aircrafts for shorter flights and bigger ones only for longer hauls.
2) The turnaround time reduced by not issuing the seat number on boarding pass, hence increasing the revenue per aircraft.
3) No meals and further reduction in cost.
4) No agents since the tickets are booked through the net. Hence, no distribution costs
5) No swanky office, lounges, frequent flier clubs means no maintainence charges. They have also cut down on extra staffs.
6) AD claims that since they have only one fare class, they are eliminating complicated accounting and auditing. Hence, more money saved!!
So, I hope now you can lay your "Adbhuta Rasa" to rest.
AD and Shringara Rasa
-The feeling that is experienced when someone is in love - the shyness, the eagerness, the happiness.
You are travelling in the air for the first time. You are all excited. You chose the dress for your first flight days before. You eagerly reach the airport!!! Your friends and relatives come to see you off with all the garlands and bouquets!! You feel like the latest "bride/groom" ;) That’s the "Shringara Rasa" :)
AD and Veerya Rasa
-The expressions of Courage and Pride.
You are afraid to fly but somehow muster the courage. You know you cant admit that you are actually scared!! So you act as if you have imbibed the "Veerya Rasa". And you are looking forward to boast to your other friends who havent been so lucky!! Thanks AD for giving that sense of pride.
AD and Bheebhatsya Rasa
-A feeling of hatred, disdain, dislike, irritation
You have checked in for your flight. There is too much rush around you of people ready to board the bus. Since there is no seat number, means more of a run to the boarding bus like any other normal bus. Cheaper tickets means more crowd. It means fighting (not in literal sense) and shoving. Hmm, not exactly a pleasing experience. But then there is a price to pay for everything. If you want your tickets cheap, be prepared for less service and more crowd!! So, "Bheebhatsya" or not, count your blessings ;)
AD and Bhaya Rasa
-The feeling of Anxiety, Fear, Apprehension.
You have boarded the flight finally and managed a window seat.
How will such a huge metal carrying kilos and kilos of humans and their baggages fly? It takes guts for acrophobics like me and first-timers to imagine a big aircraft full of people hanging in mid-air without a support!! The worst moment is the few seconds when the flight just takes off!!! Reminds me of Kajol in "Pyaar to hona hi tha". This is the moment, my friends, where you are experiencing "Bhaya Rasa".
AD and Karunya Rasa
-The feeling of compassion, kind heartedness and bhakti..
You start reciting "Hanuman Chalisa", "Gayatri Mantra" and all other shlokas you know! God seems so near and dear. You look around and see people calm and quiet and you wonder how they are managing. You look around for re-assurance to find some looking at you with compassion!! This my friends is the “ Karunya rasa” !!
AD and Roudra Rasa
-An expression of anger, annoyance!!
If you are already irritated by the pushing around, the fact that you wont be served food might get you a little upset and annoyed. The coffee and snacks that is offered to be bought, catered by Café Cofee Day might actually pinch you wallet and make your “roudra rasa” come out. The moral of the story is carry your own food or you can think of declaring it as the "Day-of-fasting" :)
As soon as you land, you realize that the luggage belt is common for AD, Spicejet, GoAir and there is a crowd at the luggage belt also. You need to push through the crowd to reach for your bag!! OK fine, CALM DOWN..deep breathing now :) If you wanted exclusive and high class treatment, you should have booked yourself in Kingfisher!!
AD and Shanta Rasa
-A feeling of tranquility, relaxed.
At last you reach outside with your bags and baggages to be hugged by your near dear ones. You realize that reaching some place in 1-2 hrs which hitherto took 20-24 hrs, is such a pleasure. You thank AD for making it all possible for you and look fwd to your next "NAVARASA".
