Anandavardhana
Encyclopedia
Anandavardhana was the author
of Dhvanyaloka, a work articulating the philosophy
of "aesthetic suggestion". The philosopher Abhinavagupta
wrote an important commentary on it.
Anandavardhana is credited with creating the dhvani theory. He wrote of dhvani (meaning sound
, or resonance
) in regard to the "soul of poetry." "When the poet
writes," said Anandavardhana, "he creates a resonant field of emotions." To understand the poetry, the reader or hearer must be on the same "wavelength
." The method requires sensitivity on the parts of the writer and the reader.
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
of Dhvanyaloka, a work articulating the philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
of "aesthetic suggestion". The philosopher Abhinavagupta
Abhinavagupta
Abhinavagupta was one of India's greatest philosophers, mystics and aestheticians. He was also considered an important musician, poet, dramatist, exegete, theologian, and logician - a polymathic personality who exercised strong influences on Indian culture.He was born in the Valley of Kashmir in...
wrote an important commentary on it.
Anandavardhana is credited with creating the dhvani theory. He wrote of dhvani (meaning sound
Sound
Sound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations.-Propagation of...
, or resonance
Resonance
In physics, resonance is the tendency of a system to oscillate at a greater amplitude at some frequencies than at others. These are known as the system's resonant frequencies...
) in regard to the "soul of poetry." "When the poet
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
writes," said Anandavardhana, "he creates a resonant field of emotions." To understand the poetry, the reader or hearer must be on the same "wavelength
Wavelength
In physics, the wavelength of a sinusoidal wave is the spatial period of the wave—the distance over which the wave's shape repeats.It is usually determined by considering the distance between consecutive corresponding points of the same phase, such as crests, troughs, or zero crossings, and is a...
." The method requires sensitivity on the parts of the writer and the reader.
External links
- Bamzai, P. M. K. Kashmir - The Home of Sanskrit Language and Literature. Retrieved on November 15, 2008.
- The Dhvanyaloka of Anandavardhana with the Locana of Abhinavagupta