It is our privilege to introduce to the world of scholarship- one more publication of the Centre entitled Introduction to Indian Poetics and Aesthetics. From Bharata onwards till Panditaraja or Apyayadikshita or even still later till Achutaraya Modak, at least 100 texts and commentaries were written in Sanskrit on poetics on several subjects. These texts form the basis of study, appreciation and research on many aspects on literary criticism in Sanskrit as well as other Indian languages - Aryan as well as non-Aryan. In the last fifty to sixty years, we have some new additions, new works putting fresh light on different theories on poetics. In spite of a large number of researches conducted still there are areas in the subject of Indian Poetics and Aesthetics which are yet to be built up by inter disciplinary research covering all the important field of Sanskrit Alankara Sastra vis a vis literary theories employed in the literature of Modern Indian Languages at one hand and western literary criticism on the other. The vast and noteworthy contributions of Indian minds on the subject of Literary Criticism have not received rightful attention from scholars here and other countries as well.
Bharata defined Drama as re-presentation of moods (Bhava- anucintana) and said that Rasa-anubhava (experience of Rasa) is its essence; Bhamaha and Dandin emphasized that Beautiful Expression (Vakrokti or Alankara) is the vital thing in poetry. Vamana stressed Saundarya (and declared Style (Riti) as the soul (Atman) of expression; Anandavardhana established that the revelation in Art takes place through Suggestion (Dhvani); Abhinavagupta expressly said that the 'soul' of poetry is the experience of Beauty (Carutvapratiti), and formulated along with others, that ultimately Harmony (Aucitya) is the life of Kavya; Bhatta Nayaka distinguished poetry from other utterances as Mode of Expression' (Abhidhāvyāpara) subordinating both Word and Idea (Śabda and Artha); Kuntaka based style on poet's character. Mahima Bhatta, Bhoja-these would rank with the world's eminent Literary critics. It may well be claimed that Rasa, Dhvani and Aucitya form the three great contributions of Sanskrit Poetics to world's literature on the subject.
Of these varied topics few are presented here in this volume. To be specific, some 26 topics are covered in this volume.
The treatment is original and some topics have been dealt with for the first time. The accounts are historical and given in great detail, so that a complete examination of the ideas of all the writers on a particular concept may lead to the discovery of several ideas which will be of value for a proper understanding and appreciation of the finer aspects of the rich contributions of the Alankara Sastra.
At the end, it is with great pleasure that we record our sincere thanks to all our colleagues of the Centre and Department for their help and support. We also thank all the contributors for their valuable contributions.
Lastly, we thank Mrs. and Mr. Nandkishor Khurjekar for their sincere efforts in neat and flawless printing of this Volume.
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