🪕World Literature I Unit 8 – Indian Literature

Key Periods and Movements

• Vedic Period (1500-500 BCE) characterized by the composition of the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism
  • Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas, contains hymns praising various deities
  • Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda focus on rituals, sacrifices, and magical incantations
• Epic Period (500 BCE-200 CE) marked by the creation of the great Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata
  • Ramayana tells the story of Lord Rama's journey to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana
  • Mahabharata revolves around the conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, culminating in the Kurukshetra War
• Classical Period (200 CE-1200 CE) witnessed the flourishing of Sanskrit literature, including poetry, drama, and prose
  • Kalidasa, considered the greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist, composed works such as Abhijnanashakuntalam and Meghaduta
  • Bhasa, another notable playwright, wrote plays like Svapnavasavadattam and Pratijnayaugandharayanam
• Bhakti Movement (6th-17th century CE) emphasized devotion and love towards a personal god
  • Alvars and Nayanars, Tamil poet-saints, composed hymns in praise of Vishnu and Shiva respectively
  • Kabir, Mirabai, and Tulsidas were prominent figures of the Bhakti Movement in North India
• Modern Period (19th century CE-present) marked by the influence of Western literature and the emergence of Indian writing in English
  • Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, wrote poetry, novels, and plays
  • R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, and Raja Rao were pioneers of Indian writing in English

Major Literary Works

• Vedas: The oldest scriptures of Hinduism, consisting of the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda
  • Rigveda contains 1,028 hymns dedicated to various deities and is the oldest of the four Vedas
  • Upanishads, philosophical texts that form the basis of Vedanta philosophy, are considered part of the Vedas
• Ramayana: An epic poem attributed to Valmiki, narrating the life of Lord Rama and his quest to rescue his wife Sita
  • Consists of nearly 24,000 verses divided into seven kandas or books
  • Explores themes of dharma, loyalty, and the ideal relationship between a king and his subjects
• Mahabharata: The longest epic poem in the world, revolving around the conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas
  • Bhagavad Gita, a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, is a part of the Mahabharata
  • Addresses complex philosophical and ethical questions, including the nature of dharma and the purpose of human life
• Abhijnanashakuntalam: A Sanskrit play by Kalidasa, considered one of the greatest works of Sanskrit literature
  • Tells the story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala, exploring themes of love, separation, and reunion
  • Influenced Western writers such as Goethe and Herder, who praised its poetic beauty and emotional depth
• Gitanjali: A collection of poetry by Rabindranath Tagore, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913
  • Consists of 103 poems that explore spiritual themes and the relationship between the human soul and the divine
  • Tagore's English translation of the poems brought him international recognition and acclaim

Influential Authors

• Valmiki: The sage and author of the Ramayana, considered the first poet or Adi Kavi in Sanskrit literature
  • Little is known about his life, but legends suggest he was a bandit before transforming into a sage
  • His style of poetry, known as the Valmiki Shloka, became the standard for Sanskrit epic poetry
• Vyasa: The legendary author of the Mahabharata and the Puranas, as well as the compiler of the Vedas
  • Believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born to sage Parashara and Satyavati
  • His name means "arranger" or "compiler," reflecting his role in organizing and structuring the Vedas
• Kalidasa: The greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist, known for his masterpieces such as Abhijnanashakuntalam and Meghaduta
  • Lived during the 4th-5th century CE, but little is known about his personal life
  • His works are characterized by their poetic beauty, emotional depth, and the use of natural imagery
• Kabir: A 15th-century mystic poet and saint, known for his dohas or couplets that convey spiritual wisdom
  • Criticized religious orthodoxy and emphasized the importance of direct experience of the divine
  • His poems, written in simple language, had a profound impact on the Bhakti Movement and continue to inspire people today
• Rabindranath Tagore: A Bengali polymath who reshaped Indian literature and music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
  • Composed over 2,000 songs, known as Rabindra Sangeet, which form an integral part of Bengali culture
  • His novels, short stories, and essays addressed social and political issues, promoting education and women's rights

Themes and Motifs

• Dharma: The central theme in many Indian literary works, referring to one's moral duty and righteous living
  • In the Ramayana, Rama's adherence to dharma, even at great personal cost, is celebrated as the ideal of human conduct
  • The Mahabharata explores the complexities of dharma through the dilemmas faced by its characters, especially Arjuna
• Karma and Reincarnation: The belief that one's actions in this life determine their fate in future lives
  • The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of performing one's duty without attachment to the fruits of one's actions
  • Many Indian stories and folktales illustrate the consequences of good and bad karma across multiple lifetimes
• Bhakti or Devotion: The love and devotion towards a personal god, which became a central theme during the Bhakti Movement
  • Bhakti poetry, composed by saints like Mirabai and Tulsidas, expresses intense emotional attachment to the divine
  • The Ramcharitmanas, Tulsidas' retelling of the Ramayana in Awadhi, emphasizes Rama's divinity and the importance of devotion
• Nature and Seasons: Indian literature often uses natural imagery and the changing seasons as a backdrop for human emotions
  • Kalidasa's Meghaduta is a lyrical poem that describes the journey of a cloud messenger across the Indian landscape
  • The Ritu Kavyas, or poems about the seasons, celebrate the beauty of nature and its connection to human life
• Social Critique: Modern Indian literature often addresses social and political issues, critiquing injustice and advocating for change
  • Mulk Raj Anand's novels, such as Untouchable and Coolie, expose the harsh realities of caste discrimination and poverty
  • Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things tackles themes of class, gender, and the impact of social norms on individual lives

Cultural Context

• Hinduism: The dominant religion in India, which has shaped much of its literature and cultural traditions
  • The Vedas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata are considered sacred texts in Hinduism and have influenced Indian thought for centuries
  • Hindu mythology and philosophy provide a rich source of themes, characters, and symbols for Indian writers
• Caste System: The hierarchical social structure that has historically divided Indian society into four main varnas or castes
  • Many Indian literary works, particularly in the modern period, have criticized the caste system and its impact on individuals and society
  • Dalit literature, written by authors from the lowest caste, has emerged as a powerful voice against caste-based discrimination
• Oral Tradition: Indian literature has a strong oral tradition, with stories and poems being passed down through generations
  • The Vedas were originally transmitted orally before being written down, and the art of recitation is still highly valued
  • Folk tales, songs, and ballads form an integral part of Indian cultural heritage and continue to inspire modern writers
• Multilingualism: India is home to hundreds of languages and dialects, each with its own literary tradition
  • Sanskrit, Tamil, and Pali are among the oldest languages in which Indian literature has been composed
  • In the modern era, Indian writers have produced works in English as well as various regional languages such as Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam
• Colonialism and Independence: The British colonial rule and India's struggle for independence have had a significant impact on its literature
  • Many Indian writers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries used their works to critique colonial oppression and advocate for freedom
  • The Partition of India in 1947 and its aftermath have been the subject of numerous novels, short stories, and memoirs

Literary Techniques

• Rasa Theory: A fundamental concept in Indian aesthetics, referring to the emotional essence or flavor of a literary work
  • The Natyashastra, an ancient Sanskrit treatise on dramaturgy, identifies eight primary rasas: love, humor, pathos, anger, heroism, terror, disgust, and wonder
  • Indian writers and critics have used rasa theory to analyze and appreciate literature, focusing on the emotional response evoked in the reader or audience
• Alamkara or Ornamentation: The use of figurative language, wordplay, and stylistic devices to enhance the beauty and impact of a literary work
  • Sanskrit poets like Kalidasa and Bharavi are known for their intricate use of alamkaras, such as similes, metaphors, and alliteration
  • The Kavyadarsha, a treatise on poetics by Dandin, discusses various types of alamkaras and their role in creating poetic excellence
• Meter and Rhyme: Indian poetry has a rich tradition of metrical and rhyming patterns, which vary across languages and genres
  • Sanskrit poetry uses a complex system of meters based on the number and length of syllables, such as the Anushtubh and the Shardulvikridita
  • Tamil poetry has its own metrical patterns, such as the Venpa and the Kali, which are based on the number of lines and syllables in each line
• Frame Narratives: The use of a story within a story, where one narrative serves as a framework for other tales
  • The Panchatantra, a collection of animal fables, uses a frame narrative where a wise man tells stories to educate three princes
  • The Kathasaritsagara, a Sanskrit text by Somadeva, contains numerous stories embedded within a larger narrative framework
• Intertextuality: The referencing and borrowing of themes, characters, and plots from earlier works, creating a rich tapestry of literary allusions
  • Many Indian writers have drawn inspiration from the epics and myths, reinterpreting and adapting them in their own works
  • Modern Indian literature often engages with the classics, either by retelling old stories from new perspectives or by subverting traditional narratives

Impact on World Literature

• Translation and Transmission: Indian literature has been translated into numerous languages, spreading its influence across the world
  • The Panchatantra, one of the oldest collections of fables, has been translated into over 200 languages and has inspired countless adaptations
  • The Bhagavad Gita has been widely translated and has influenced thinkers and writers from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Aldous Huxley
• Influence on Western Writers: Indian literature and philosophy have had a profound impact on Western writers and intellectuals
  • German Romantics like Herder and Schlegel were fascinated by Indian texts and incorporated Indian themes into their works
  • T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land contains references to the Upanishads and the Buddha's Fire Sermon, reflecting the influence of Indian thought on modernist poetry
• Postcolonial Literature: Indian writers have made significant contributions to the field of postcolonial literature, which deals with the effects of colonialism and the struggle for identity
  • Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children, which won the Booker Prize in 1981, is a landmark of postcolonial fiction, blending history, magic realism, and political satire
  • Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things, another Booker Prize winner, explores the lingering impact of colonialism and the caste system in modern India
• Diaspora Literature: Indian writers living outside India have created a rich body of diaspora literature, reflecting on the experiences of migration, cultural identity, and belonging
  • Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake explore the lives of Indian immigrants in the United States, navigating between two cultures
  • V.S. Naipaul, born in Trinidad to Indian parents, has written extensively about the Indian diaspora and the postcolonial world, winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001
• Spiritual and Philosophical Influence: Indian spiritual and philosophical traditions, such as Vedanta and Buddhism, have had a lasting impact on world literature and thought
  • The Transcendentalist movement in 19th-century America, led by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, was heavily influenced by Indian philosophy
  • Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha, a novel about the spiritual journey of a young man in ancient India, has become a classic of world literature and has introduced many Western readers to Indian thought

Further Reading and Resources

• Translations of Classical Indian Literature:
  • The Ramayana by Valmiki, translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith or Arshia Sattar
  • The Mahabharata, translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli or John D. Smith
  • The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran or Stephen Mitchell
  • The Upanishads, translated by Swami Nikhilananda or Eknath Easwaran
  • The Panchatantra, translated by Arthur W. Ryder or Chandra Rajan
• Modern Indian Literature in English:
  • Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
  • The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
  • The Guide by R.K. Narayan
  • Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand
  • The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
• Secondary Sources and Criticism:
  • A History of Indian Literature by Sisir Kumar Das
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism by James G. Lochtefeld
  • Indian Poetics by Edwin Gerow
  • The Vintage Book of Modern Indian Literature, edited by Amit Chaudhuri
  • Postcolonial Literature: An Introduction by Pramod K. Nayar
• Online Resources:
  • The Indian Literature Collective (https://indianliteraturecollective.org/)
  • The Sahitya Akademi (India's National Academy of Letters) (http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/)
  • Project Madurai (Digital Library of Tamil Literature) (https://www.projectmadurai.org/)
  • SARIT (Search and Retrieval of Indic Texts) (https://sarit.indology.info/)
  • The Digital South Asia Library (http://dsal.uchicago.edu/)