Reviews

The Ethos of Indian Literature: By K. S. Srinivasan. Chanakya, F-10/14, Model Town, Delhi-9. Price: Rs. 170.

This is a very useful study of Indian literature with a view to perceiving how the cultures of both the North and the South of the Vindhyas have been the same since many thousands of years. In attempting to trace the same culture exposing itself through the main languages of Sanskrit and Tamil as representing the two linguistic families of Aryan and Dravidian, one finds it has much to do with an earlier Prakrit whose influence is perceptible in the romantic poetry of the Sanskrit classics and the Sangam literatures of the Tamils. Hala’s Gaathaasaptasati, particularly, has lent its store of love lyrics to be drawn upon by both the Sanskrit romantic poems and the Ahampoetry of the Sangam age. The Gaathas and bardic poems have very likely acted upon the imagination of the later poets of the two main languages so as to contribute similar themes to their songs. Kalidasa and his successors too are as much indebted to the Prakrit Gaathas as the Ahamand Purampoems of Sangam literature.

K. S. Srinivasan, the discerning scholar (writing this volume under the Nehru Memorial Fellowship)has stated: “When the outdated notion of Aryan and Dravidian races is overthrown, when the prevailing concept of the distinct linguistic families of India is set aside –even for a while – and when the mind reflects on the commonality of style and substance in songs that represent the earliest literary output in the country, the point of focus would shift and fall on the interaction between Tamil and Prakrit.” (P. 60) Again he says, “If, therefore, a study of the Tamil language can be informed by the approach that it was at one time definable as a Prakrit – like the Maharashtri, Souraseni or Magadhi – the result would be different, and meaningful.” (P. 60) How far this apparently reasonable theory of the author would be acceptable to the modern Tamil scholars with their blind attachment to the theory of Tamil’s origin as more ancient than Sanskrit or any other language, is a matter for consideration. No doubt, it is a challenge to them who have in recent times been developing an exclusiveness of outlook in the matter of linguistic researches.

Anyhow, a reviewer of the volume, which is in every way a very consistent approach to a fresh and original standpoint, cannot escape a feeling of satisfaction that the author has by ample examples in translation shown a striking similarity of conceit of the Prakrit love poems with those of Ahamsongs.

Space limits the reviewer’s desire to dwell more upon the scheme of the book in fifteen chapters, bearing significant headings and a comprehensive capacity of the learned author to dive equally into the sister arts of dance, music and sculpture in order to bring out the cultural ground that sustained so much of richness and variety in the earliest known romantic poems such as the Gaathaasaptasatiand other bardic outpourings.

Indeed the author needs to be congratulated for making a most valuable research and study to convince us of the relationship in unmistakable terms of Prakrit, Sanskrit and Tamil.

K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

The Tinctured Canvas: Edited by Mohan Kanda. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Munshi Marg, Bombay-7. Price: Rs. 30.

Rural development has become more and more acutely a necessity with the growth of the idea of, Welfare State. The urge to make the villages self-sufficient in the wake of fresh thinking and execution of projects for dynamically changing the earlier notions, are all exercising the minds of people who have the progress of the villages at heart. Chetanawhich is a voluntary organisa­tion in Andhra Pradesh was responsible for gathering together in a Seminar in 1978, many of the important workers, and scientific thinkers for considering once again the concept and practice of rural development through a new approach. A number of papers were read and led to discussions and, as a result, we have here all of them edited and presented in a volume along with an appendix and annexure containing the full texts of some of the valuable papers.

The headings of the chapters by themselves speak of the regular systematic attempt at a fresh approach of the most crying need of the hour – the Rural Development. The project published towards (almost) the close of the book reveals the objectivity with which the whole scheme of development is conceived. The gain for such serious thinking on the subject must be the realisa­tion of a lot of self-support and co-operation among the village communities to take up ideas from the Seminar and try to put them to use without any more procrastination on their part. It is not early in the day too such ideas have come into practical play, because it was Gandhiji’s dream of the village becoming, in an agricultural country like India, the unit for all advancement of the entire nation.

We value this publication for the sincerity of purpose behind it.

K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Kalakshetra Rukmini Devi: By S. Sarada. Kala Mandir Trust, Madras-41. Price: Rs. 125.

Kalakshetra, in Madras, is a cultural institution like few others in our country. It has acquired the fragrant esteem and respect that the Visvabharati, in Bengal, used to enjoy. Its success is due largely to Srimathi Rukmini Devi, who founded it in 1936.

The date is significant. The 1930’s were a time of travail for Indian arts. Public taste had been debased by Western forms and there were few Indians who realised that their country had had many arts which were not only of aesthetic excellence but had the saving grace of being indigenous, rooted in the soil, bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh. It was virtually at the nick of time that Srimathi Rukmini Devi founded Kalakshetra. It is, therefore, a national institution in the best sense of the term.

So far as I am aware, no history, as such, of this institution has been published. We have the next best in this book, or rather the initial best, the very best, in its particular form. A formal history may have some defects, but a personal account, written by a close associate of the founder and herself an artiste of accomplishment, is bound to satisfy.

The author has been a close associate of the founder for nearly fifty years and has identified herself with the institution, body and soul. If Srimathi Rukmini Devi does not write the story of the Kalakshetra, the next most suitable author is the writer of the present work.

This is not a formal history, but a book of reminiscences. Since, however, the author has been so close to the institution, her book has all the authenticity of an official history without its formality. If to watch a Kalakshetra performance is aesthetic delight, to read this book is also unalloyed delight.

Here is the story not of a single institution alone but virtually of the arts of the dance in the south. It is sometimes said that contemporary Indian dance and Carnatic music have been “com­mercialised.” But few critics pause to reflect that these arts were virtually on their last legs in this part of the country half a century ago. Patronage was limited and, when available, often debased. At the same time, there were many performers of the first quality.

Kalakshetra helped rescue the dance from its debasing associa­tions and restored it as the fine art it had been and was meant to be. It did this mainly through its dance dramas. The “music season” at the end of the year in Madras is frequently a season of delight for the connoisseur, for it brings a new dance dramas in Tiruvanmiyur. The dance dramas restore to us bits of ancient Indian culture which we had almost lost and are now able to appreciate.

Drawn from the splendid stores of philosophy and art which Hinduism has preserved, Srimathi Rukmini Devi produced pieces of dance and music that have evoked an ancient idyll or dramatic event. She has drawn upon our national classics like the “Ramayana”, she has also laid under contribution artistic delights from many regions like “Andal Charitram” and “Meera”, of Rajasthan.

How she did it, who helped her, are some of the details her devoted associate tells in this book. Through its pages flit many a famous musician, many a stagecraft artist, many  a dancer. They are not mere names, but living personalities. To read this book is to experience dance and music education at the best of “Gurukulas.”

The author writes as an admirer, but she is not undiscriminating. She adds judgment and perceptiveness to her deep attach­ment to our religious arts and to her profound knowledge. In the result, this is an excellent work of art history and human relations.

N. S. RAMASWAMI

Comparative Religion: By Kedar Nath Tiwari.Motilal Banarasidass, New Delhi - 7. Price: Rs. 28.

Designed for use of Honours and Post-graduate students in the universities, this book examines the positions of different religions on certain main themes, e. g., God, World, Man, Evil and Suffering, Human Destiny, Life after Death, Ethics and Sects. The religions covered are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Zudaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Sikhism. There is a full chapter comparing the different approaches on these topics. The author strikes a pessimistic note in the final chapter on the possibility of universal religion. He does not think any existent religion can be expanded and modified to suit the needs of a world religion nor does he envisage the birth of a new religion altogether. All that he can hope for is a growing spirit of tolerance. Obviously he has not considered the prospects of Spirituality as the religion of the future.

M. P. PANDIT

Correlation between knowledge and human values in Indian Philosophy: By Dr. D. L. Patil. Viveka Prakashana, 700, 17th Main Road, Mysore - 670009. Price: Rs. 30.

It is a common notion that Indian philosophy is other-world­-oriented and as far as this world is concerned it has been largely negative in character. In the West, specially, it is a fixed prejudice that there is no philosophy at all in India. They concede that that there is religious thought but not philosophical pursuit on the lines of Western academicians.

Dr. Patil makes an earnest attempt to remove this wrong understanding and shows how philosophy in India has deep concern with human welfare. It has organised its practical application around certain human values. He points out, further, that the spirit of Indian philosophy is in tune with the approach of modern science and technology. Not that sheer metaphysics is wanting. That too is there as an exercise of the intellect in exploring the Reality. He makes his point that philosophy in India relates Knowledge of the Ultimate to the Knowledge of the Immanent. Thought and Will are simultaneously active.
M. P. PANDIT

A Handbook of Virasaivism: By S. C. Nandinath. Motilal Banarsi­dass, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi - 7. Price: Rs. 50.

This precious book, a rich mine of veritable information on Virasaivism, is a part of a thesis submitted by the author to the London University for a Doctorate in Philosophy. This was first published in 1941. This is a revised edition. It goes to the credit of the author that this work remains the only critical and comprehensive monograph on the subject available to date. Con­taining twelve chapters, the book presents a clear and critical picture of Virasaivism in a short span.

A comparative study of the Virasaiva Siddhanta on the one hand, and the Saiva Siddhanta, the Trika philosophy, the Visishta­advaita, Shakti Visishtaadvaita and the Advaita on the other, is higbly-instructive and scholarly. Chapters named ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ and ‘Linga’ are of great importance to Virasaiva students. The author’s interpretation of Maaya deserves a keen and close study. An introduction by Prof. R. N. Nandhi is as valuable as the main text itself. Four appendices added to the text provide detailed information, not given in the text, regard­ing 101 Sthalas, Shatsthalas and constitution of Maaya. Notes are specially added, and they quote profusely from Vacanasastra, and other Vacanas in Kannada language. This book deserves to be a valuable text-book to post-graduate students, and a guide to research students in Virasaiva philosophy.

B. KUTUMBA RAO

I was a room filled: By Purushottama. Jayanti Publications, Delhi. Price: Rs. 20.

The slim volume under consideration is a collection of poems by Purushottama (Dr. P. P. Sharma). The poetry of Sharma is simple, direct and effective. It is suffused with typical Indian sensibility and values. In “Lamentation of Devayani”, he tells the famous Mahabharata story of Kacha and Devayani from the point of view of the jilted heroine Devayani. This unadorned piece of verse is a success probably because the theme itself, being archtypal, is endowed with poetic beauty and grandeur. “The Ambiguous Language” delineates a situation in which a loving pair is mentally separated by a cruel, unspoken, suspicious thought of infidelity. “Anecdote of a pigeon” is a restatement of the classic Ramayana situation in a modern setting, the poet being the Nishada now. The title poem ‘I was a room filled’ is based on a beautiful conceit and describes a sublime spiritutal experience in an elevated tone. It is gratifying, to note that the poet, unlike many a poet of the day, has firm grasp on the metrical moulds, too.
Dr. G. SRIRAMA MURTHY

Telugu Folk Lyrics: By V. Ramamurthy. Sita-Kumar Publi­cations, B1/C-30, Ravindranagar, Guntur. Price: Rs. 15.

Telugu folk lyricism has provided a wonderful hunting-ground for the social history of Andhra Pradesh. Of such lasting value are these poems that even after the advent of the culture-crippling movie, the folk style has survived and taken to new heights of success poets like Nanduri Subba Rao and Konakalla Venkataratnam. Our hearts do zoom with expectant thrill when the wind wafts to us the strains of “Mokkajonna thotalo.”

Mr. Ramamurthy has done a signal service to the history of Telugu literature by seeking the source of this branch of modern writing. His brief introduction adequately projects the main aspects of folk lyrics: structural variety, verbal simplicity, sound commonsense and spontaneous poetic genius. A running commentary on selected folk verse covers all the ages of man. Childhood and boyhood are very much present but youth is the main subject. Passionate and sentimental love, the fun and laughter of a lover’s ways, the frustration of adultery and the sorrows of parting are all here. Violence is ubiquitously present, for life in a farmland is not a bed of roses. To see a parent or a son or a husband hacked to pieces is common sight. Nature in its fierce and benevolent aspects gives us some wonderful scenes. Realism is just a step away from a pointed spiritual truth.

Me. Ramamurthy has spread his net wide and there is even a “guide to begging,” A satisfying volume that orders us to lend an attentive ear next time when we catch a folk rhyme in passing.

Dr. PREMA NANDAKUMAR

SANSKRIT - TELUGU

1) Sloka Ratnaaraamah: 2) Yoga Ratnaaraamamu: By Somanchi     Sriramulu, 2-1-559/3, Nallakunta, Hyderabad. Price: Rs. 4.

The first book, divided into nine Uddyotas, deals with subjects like efficacy of God’s name, meditation, Brahmananda Yoga. A separate chapter is devoted to champion the cause of image-­worship. The author sometimes quotes verbatim from the Bhagavadgita, and some works ofSankaracharya; sometimes he gives his ownverses. All the verses are followed by their import in Telugu prose.

The second book contains almost a thesis of the author. It is a novel interpretation of the Bhagavadgita. The author contends that Titikshaa, or endurance is the main Yoga taught in the Gita, and that the essence thereof is given in five verses in the second chapter (11-15 verses). His interpretation of words – Gita, Bhagavan, Prajnaa-vaada Asu and Matrasparsa are quite novel. His exposition of Titikshaa Yoga has a practical approach and is critical. Written in simple Telugu prose this work deserves a close study.   
B. KUTUMBA RAO

TELUGU

Abhinavalocanamu: By Dr. G. V. Subrahmanyam. Yuva Bharati,        5, Kingsway, Secunderabad - 3. Price: Rs. 16

Coming from the pen ofDr. G. V. Subrahmanyam, a scholar of deep erudition and a critic of high standard, this volume con­tains critical essays onRayaprolu Subba Rao, a Khandakavya “Urvasi” of Ravindra translated into Telugu, Visvanatha Kalpavriksha, Visvanatha as a critic, Madhuri Darsanam and Andhra Puranam. Though each essay in itself is flooded with critical appreciation, essays onVisvanatha are highly thought-stimulating and informative, and students of Telugu literature are sure to be highly benefitted by a study ofthis volume.

“SANDILYA”