Indian knowledge system
Indian knowledge System
Name : Pathak Deepika kirti
Year :T.Y.B.A.Semester 5
Subject: Major 13
Home Assignment
Indian Poetics
Indian Poetics refers to the traditional literary theories and aesthetic principles that evolved in ancient and classical India to explain,analyze and evaluate literature especially poetry and drama.It is a rich and systematic tradition that spans over two millennia and encompass multiple schools of thought.
Key aspects of Indian Poetics
*Focus on Aesthetics :
Indian Poetics is deeply concerned with rasa, which is considered the essence of poetry and drama.
*Philosophical and Spiritual Dimensions:
Unlike Western literary theory, Indian Poetics often connects literature to spiritual experience,emotions and cosmic order.
* Interdisciplinary Roots :
It draws from Sanskrit grammar,logic , philosophy and ritual traditions.
Major Schools and Concepts in Indian Poetics
*Bharata muni - Natyashastra
*Bhamaha , Dandin - Alamkara
* Vamana - Riti
*Kuntaka - Vakrokti
*Anand vardhana - Dhvani
*Abhinav Gupta - Rasa - dhvani
*Mammata - Kavya prakasha
A historical sketch of Indian Poetics
Here's a concise historical sketch of Indian Poetics, tracing it's evolution from ancient times to the modern period.
1.Vedic and Pre - classical Period ( 1500 BCE - 200BC)
*Roots in the Vedas - Indian Poetics finds
its earliest expression in the Rigveda , where poetic compositions was associated with divine inspiration and ritual functions.
Brahmanas and Upanishads : Early texts discuss the mystical and philosophical aspects of speech and sound.
Natyashastra by Bharat Muni (2nd century BCE):
Often considered the foundation text of Indian poetics and dramaturgy.
Introduced the concept of Rasa , which became central to all later theories.
Discussed elements of drama,dance, music and performance.
2 .Classical Period (200 BCE - 1200 CE)
This is the golden age of Indian poetics,marked by the rise of various schools of literary theory.
Rasa School - Bharata ( expanded later by Abhinav Gupta) :
Rasa refers to the aesthetic emotion experience by the audience ( eg;love ,heroism,sorrow).
Abhinav gupta 's commentry further developed rasa theory , linking it to the experience of universal consciousness.
3. Medieval Period (1200 - 1800)
Poetic theories expanded into regional languages like Tamil , Kannada, Telugu, Bengali and Persian - Urdu literary cultures.
Bhakti Movement influenced poetry by focusing on devotion and emotional expressiveness.
Poetics became increasingly didactic and devotional , moving slightly away from classical aesthetics.
4.Modern Period (1800 CE - Present)
Colonial impact introduced Western literary criticism and comparative aesthetics.
Modern Indian writers like Rabindranath Tagore,Sri Aurobindo and others blended classical Indian poetics with western theories.
Core Concepts in Indian Theatrical Poetics
Rasa means " essence "or "flavour"
Bharata describes 8 Rasas that a drama should evoke in the audience.
1.Sringara - Love / Romance
2.Hasya - Laughter
3.Raudra - Fury
4.Vira - Heroism
5.Bhayanaka - Fear / Horror
6.Adbhuta - Marvellous
7.Shanta - Peace
8.Bibhutsa - Disgust
Dhvani Theory
Developed later by Anandavardhana in Dhvani loka ( 9th century CE).
Focuses on " suggestion" as the soul of poetry/ drama.
Compliments rasa : the emotion is suggested,not directly stated.
Abhinaya ( Art of Expression)
Described in the Natyashastra as the actors method to convey rasa :
Angika Abhinaya - Physical gestures
Vacika Abhinaya - Speech / Verbal expression
Aharya Abhinaya - Costume and appearance
Sattvika Abhinaya - Internal emotions
These forms help bridge the text and performance, making rasa experienceable to the viewers.
Kavya and Nataka
Indian Poetics makes little separation between poetry and drama.Both are vehicles of rasa.Dramas like Kalidasa 's "Abhijnanasakuntalam" follow the Natyashastra framework.
Plays are composed with metre, lyrical beauty and emotional depth ,akin to poetry.
Conclusion:
The Theatrical framework of Indian poetics is a synthesis of aesthetic theory, performance, practice and spiritual philosophy.Unlike Western drama which often centres around plot and character, Indian poetics emphasis the emotional experience as the core of dramatic art .
Essay
Rasa Theory
