Home ASSIGNMENT
Assignment of literature
Name: Suzan Pathan
College Name : ~Maharani Shri Nandkuvarba mahila arts and commerce College Bhavnagar
Subject: English
Professor Name: Rachana Mam
Date of submission: 10 September 2024
T.Y B.A SEM:5
PAPER NAME: Exploring Indian knowledge system: Text, traditions and worldwides
Dhvani Theory in Indian Aesthetics
Introduction:
Indian poetics has a rich tradition of exploring the beauty of literature, especially poetry. Among the most influential concepts is the Dhvani Theory, introduced by the great critic Ānandavardhana in his famous work Dhvanyāloka (9th century CE). The word Dhvani literally means sound, but in the context of literary theory, it refers to suggestion or implied meaning —something that goes beyond the literal and the expresse
What is Dhvani? Dhvani is the soul of poetry According to Ānandavardhana, the real charm of literature lies not in the direct meaning (abhidhā) or figurative meaning (lakṣaṇā), but in the suggestive power of words (vyañjanā)
Abhidhā → Denotative meaning (the direct dictionary meaning).
Lakṣaṇā → Indicative meaning (secondary, figurative).
Vyañjanā (Dhvani) → Suggestive meaning (deeper emotional essence).
It is this dhvani, the power of suggestion, that touches the reader’s heart and makes poetry timeless.
Types of Dhvani
Ānandavardhana classified dhvani into three major types:
1. Vastu-dhvani (suggestion of an idea): When words suggest ideas not explicitly stated.
Example: A line describing dark clouds may *suggest* the arrival of monsoon.
2.Alaṅkāra-dhvani (suggestion of a figure of speech) When the beauty of a figure of speech is suggested indirectly.
3. Rasa-dhvani (suggestion of aesthetic emotion):The highest form of dhvani, where the underlying rasa (emotion, aesthetic mood) .
This is considered the essence of poetry , as it evokes deep feelings in the reader.
Importance of Dhvani
- Dhvani explains why poetry moves us emotionally, not just intellectually.
- It emphasizes the aesthetic experience rather than dry meaning.
- It shifted the focus of literary criticism in India towards rasa (emotional experience) as the ultimate goal of literature.
- Without dhvani, poetry is lifeless; with dhvani, it becomes eternal.
Dhvani and Rasa
The Dhvani theory closely relates to Rasa Theory, developed earlier by Bharata in Nāṭyaśāstra.
While Bharata emphasized rasa as the essence of art, Ānandavardhana explained how rasa is communicated—through dhvani (suggestion).
In this sense, rasa is the goal, and dhvani is the vehicle.
Conclusion The Dhvani Theory transformed Indian literary criticism by highlighting the importance of suggestion over direct expression. It revealed that the deepest beauty of literature lies in what is left unsaid, in the emotional and imaginative response evoked in the reader. Even today, the theory stands as a timeless reminder that true art communicates beyond words—through the subtle play of suggestion.
Class assignment:
Vakrokti Theory in Indian Poetics
Introduction:
Indian aesthetics is filled with rich literary theories that explain how poetry creates beauty and charm. One such important theory is the Vakrokti Theory, propounded by the great Sanskrit critic Kuntaka in his work Vakroktijīvita(10th century CE).
The term Vakrokti literally means “oblique expression” or “indirect speech. According to this theory, the essence of poetry lies in its vakratā—the uniqueness of expression that makes ordinary language artistic and powerful.
Kuntaka is the originator of the Vakrokti school of Sanskrit literary theory. He came after Anandvardhan of the 9th century and before Abhinavagupta of the 10th century. His time was the time of high merit of Indian poetics. Dhananjaya and Rajashekhara were his contemporary theorists. The theorists who appeared in the time of Kuntaka contributed a lot to what is in different shape is considered as modern theories of literature and language. In this context, Ganesh Devy says that Vakrorkti and the Alamkara are two Indian schools which are very close to two Western schools of thought, formalism and new criticism.
What is Vakrokti?
Kuntaka believed that poetry becomes beautiful not because of what is said (content), but how it is said (style and expression).
- Everyday speech is straightforward and plain.
- Poetry, however, transforms the same thought into something special through vakratā (twist, deviation, or artistic turn).
- This “oblique expression” is what moves the reader and gives poetry its unique flavor.
In simple words, Vakrokti is the creative twist in expression that makes literature artistic.
---Levels of Vakratā (Obliqueness)---
Kuntaka analyzed how vakrokti operates at different levels of language:
1. Varṇavinyāsa-vakratā (phonetic level): Beauty created by sound patterns, alliteration, rhyme, rhythm, etc.
2. Padapūrvārddha-vakratā (word level): Artistic choice of words, synonyms, and diction.
3. Padaparārddha-vakratā (compound word level): Creativity in forming compounds and unique word combinations.
4. Vākyavakratā (sentence level): Charm in sentence construction, syntax, and arrangement.
5. Prakaraṇavakratā (contextual level): Uniqueness in the way events or situations are presented.
6. Prabandhavakratā (composition level): Overall distinctiveness in the structure and style of the whole work.
Through these levels, Kuntaka showed that vakratā can exist in every aspect of poetry, from sound to structure.
Importance of Vakrokti Theory:
It emphasizes style over content, showing how expression shapes beauty.
It recognizes the artist’s creativity as central to literature.
It explains why the same idea, when expressed differently, can either be dull or delightful.
It influenced later Indian poetics, standing alongside theories like Rasa and Dhvani.
Vakrokti vs. Dhvani
While Dhvani theory (Ānandavardhana) highlights suggestion as the soul of poetry, Vakrokti theory (Kuntaka) stresses style and expression Together, they show that poetry is both about what lies beyond words (suggestion) and how words are artistically shaped (expression).
Conclusion: The Vakrokti Theory beautifully captures the essence of poetic charm: the oblique, twisted, and creative style of expression that distinguishes literature from ordinary speech. By focusing on *how* things are said rather than simply what is said, Kuntaka gave us a timeless reminder that poetry is an art of style, imagination, and beauty.
The different types of Vakrokti that he classified are methods of criticism of literature also. It is actually literary discourse proposed by him. He suggested a complete structure of literary study. But not only limited into that he was concerned about the reader’s response, though it is the major concern of all the Sanskrit rhetoricians. Vakrokti is Kavi-Kushalata, art and talent of the poet and poet’s creativity is termed as “Kavi-vyapara-vakrata, or art in the poetic process and this is the primary condition of a successful poetry” and therefore rasanubhuti comes into the mind of Sahridaya or the readers (Rao, Sreenivas;). Kuntaka has balanced between the poet’s role and reader’s role in appreciation of poetry. The point of view of the poet and the reader’s accomplishment both are necessary for the emergence of rasanubhuti, according to Kuntaka
ESSAY: SIDDHARTA
BY HERMANN HESSE
:
About the author:
Hermann Hesse (1877–1962) was a German-Swiss novelist, poet, and painter. He is best known for his spiritual and philosophical novels such as Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, and The Glass Bead Game. His works explore themes of self-discovery, individuality, and the influence of Eastern philosophy. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Major Works
→Siddhartha (1922) – A spiritual novel influenced by Indian philosophy and the life of the Buddha.
→Steppenwolf (1927) – A novel about duality of human nature and existential crisis.
→Demian (1919) – Explores the awakening of self-consciousness and spirituality.
→The Glass Bead Game (1943) – His last great work, on intellectual life and harmony.
Major Themes in Siddhartha
1. The Search for Self-Realization
the central theme of the novel is Siddhartha’s journey to find his true self and achieve inner peace.
2. Experience vs. Teaching
Siddhartha learns that wisdom cannot be taught by teachers or found in scriptures—it must be gained through personal experience.
3. Spirituality and Enlightenment
The novel highlights different spiritual paths—asceticism, meditation, love, and nature—showing that enlightenment is individual and unique.
4. The Illusion of Materialism
Siddhartha explores wealth, love, and worldly pleasures but realizes they cannot bring lasting happiness.
5. Unity of All Life
Through the river, Siddhartha understands that all experiences—joy and sorrow, birth and death—are interconnected.
6.The Role of Suffering
Pain, failure, and mistakes are essential steps on the path to true wisdom.
Comments
Post a Comment