Call me Soma, because that is the name I got at my birthday. Back in 1990s and early 2000s, I had read several books on this very interesting area – ‘Body Language’ by different foreign authors and learnt ‘what is body language’ and ‘how it should be used for effective face-to-face communication’ from those foreign authors’ perspective.
It was only in the recent years that I came across a series of books on body language conceptualized and written purely from the Indian perspective. These books are authored by India’s 1st Body language Expert – Prof (Dr) Shalini Verma – a seasoned communication professor.
During Navratri 2021, I received a YouTube link from a friend in which Dr. Shalini Verma, the author herself had posed herself as the Nine Avatars of Nava Durga.
I watched it intently because she had artfully expressed the Nava Rasa or the nine emotions of the Mother Goddess. A friend of mine, who had also watched had the opinion, “It could have been better done with a young-aged model”. I had refuted saying “I bet that it could not have been better done”. I know, for sure, the Divine Expressions could not have come from someone who is lesser erudite and understands less the holistic aspects of life.
This drew my interest in the knowledge of body language that is present with Dr. Shalini, and I purchased her book “Face Express”. I was not only astonished at the wonderful work done but gained much in knowledge and awareness that my words will never suffice to express.
I have kept in my mail message the Nava Durga expressions of the author. I read the book “Face Express” at least 5 times.
Each time, I better understood the different expressions that are hidden in the Human Face.
By profession, I am a Human Resource practitioner and an aspiring author who has burnt her fingers in a bit of content creation and promotion etc. But I take only those projects which has prospects and interests me from within and aligns with my inner calling. Solely because if I do not feel the kick from inside, I do not work.
Every time I read the book; I gained something better than the last time. Dr. Verma has established brilliantly that there are four emotions that one can read on the face.
- Macro expressions
- Micro expressions
- False Expressions
- Masked expressions
She handholds her readers to go through and understand each of these expressions in a impeccable engrossed manner.
Experiences that we get day in and day out, teach us those real expressions come out with real events and when the face goes along with the inner emotions to express the nine different moods such as:
- Happiness (Hasya Rasa)
- Velour (Veera Rasa)
- Disgust (Bibhatsa Rasa)
- Anger (Raudra Rasa)
- Surprise (Adbutha Rasa)
- Love/Beauty (Shringara Rasa)
- Compassion (Karuna Rasa)
- Peace (Shantha Rasa)
- Fear (Bhayanaka Rasa)
For example, check for example the past photograph of the first Indian Miss Universe Sushmita Sen on the moment she got her crown on her head. Remember the expression?
Jaw wide with surprise and tears of happiness trickling down the cheeks. That was an expression that was too real. Now what type among the four, please read “Face Express” to learn. No pigeon food for all goodness’s sake.
When I wrote that the Author was right in depicting the nine forms of emotions through the Nava Durga Rupa on the Navaratri wish, I was bang on the point.
Please check for yourself how beautifully she expressed the different emotions without saying much about the different expressions but acting those out with the fullest potentials.
Look at Brahmacharini – the Mother Goddess happily engrossed in absorbing, learning and assimilating. She is a peace-loving creative force.
Maa Brahmacharini
Now look at Skandamata – the Mother God who nurtures and brings life on Earth. She is so blissful with her child. The child may be the one she gives birth to or may be any creation of a mother force irrespective of what it is if it has a creative purpose and pursuit.
Maa Skandamata
As ‘Life’ is not only about Creation but destruction too. Destruction of the evil forces. Evil forces are more within us rather than at outside.
The Mother Shakti destroys too and knows the true balance of life. The destructive force which tames the demons inside and outside has angry expressions or rather stern expressions which seriously does the work to destroy so that new creation can begin. She decks herself as Mahisasurmardini
Maa Mahisasurmardini
Mahisasurmardini is surprised at the audacious power of the demons and expresses her anger while she conquers.
The depictions are of the Divine Mother who is present in the Mother Nature as well as every woman. So, what happens when the imbalance and impurities play havoc, there is call for immediate attention to destroy, subjugate, consolidate and recreate.
So, who is best suited to play the part of that role when Mother Nature is in Fury and Disgust?
Of course, none better than Kalratri because she works in a furious and aggressive manner to reinstate the balance, peace and creation in the Nature.
Maa Kaalratri
Destruction of greater magnitude is only the hibernating period for immense and blissful creations. Look at the picture of Kalratri acted out and articulated by Dr. Shalini Verma and understand and appreciate yourself. Sure, with some amount of wisdom, faith and belief in the Divine powers, you will be able to get there sooner.
I took one year to fully read the book and understand and assimilate it. But I promise myself to revisit it again. You take your own time. I know you are fast and better informed than I am.
Happy Learning and understanding of Human Emotions with the aid of “Face Express”. Kudos and my Salute to the Lifoholic Author.
