The Concrete and the Abstract in Art

Among our youth and children, more than the study and research of ‘literature,’ it is the learning of music and dance that is considered as a symbol of culture. Literature is seen by many as a heap of information or a tool for enjoyment. It is not without reason that music, dance, painting and sculpture are categorized as ‘fine arts’ among the arts. In these forms of art, the aspect of ‘information’ is secondary and it is only the play of vibhāvas (causes) and anubhāvas (effects) of rasa and the subsequent aesthetic experience that takes predominance. In fact, in pure nṛtta and classical music that is restricted to ālāpana-tāna-svarakalpana[1], there is absolutely no ‘information.’ Such creations which are full of dhvani (suggestion) that results from vakrata (oblique expression) manifests itself as bliss in the hearts of its connoisseurs. In these, we find no disturbances of an ‘instructive message’ or information. In applied musical forms like sugama-saṅgītā (light music), bhajans (songs with a mythological or devotional theme), devotional songs, deśa-bhakti-gītās (patriotic songs), and so forth, where the lyric takes prominence, we can see an attempt to spread their chosen social message or motivations through the medium of music. But even here, the attraction of the musical part is overwhelming. Moreover, many connoisseurs, though oblivious to or uninterested in the ‘message,’ lend their ears to such music, just to enjoy its melody. In dance, even though not to the same level, there is sufficient value for going beyond offering a message. Even when it is based on information in the form of words, due to the ingredients present for evoking emotions and the resulting emotional experience, it provides higher value for reaching the hearts of the connoisseurs. It is because of this, that in our classical music and dance, the verbal aspect of words and lyrics has not been accorded a higher value than the fine arts.[2] Further, it has not been affected by linguistic chauvinism. Consequently, we can see, on the same stage, how devaranāmas (poetry in praise of various deities by the haridāsas) and vacanas (poems composed by the śivaśaraṇas in the 12th century) in Kannada, kṛti-saṅkīrtanas (a popular musical form) in Telugu, pada-jāvaḻis (musical forms that have śṛṅgāra as the predominant theme and can be delineated through abhinaya) in Tamil, bhajans and dohas (rhythmic couplets) in Hindi, abhangs (devotional poetry composed by the Varkari poets during the 13th to 17th century) in Marathi, prabandhams in Malayalam, and ślokas and aṣṭapadis in Sanskrit, have been entertaining their fans through the medium of music and dance. The uproar of the politically fanatical and language chauvinistic Tamil-isai movement from Tamil Nadu did not succeed in whetting the appetite of connoisseurs. It is notable that the ‘classicality’ of dance and music inevitably decreases in cases where ‘words’ become more prominent. It is for this reason the ‘traditionalists’ do not endorse dance-drama, light music, and ballets. However, a point to note: ‘words’—however dry and inartistic—provide sheen to the discerning aspect of any song and dance as long as they are not ‘advice-oriented’ and remain true to context. Therefore, we don’t have to encourage traditionalists who do not understand aesthetics. Even then, when we look at the commotion created by the recent ‘realists,’ public ‘do-gooders,’ and so-called ‘artists’ who employ fine arts for ‘practical’ purposes, it is easy to sympathise with the extreme stand of the ‘traditionalists.’ In summary, among the traditional quarters of music and dance, these being revered and studied as flagships of our culture, it appears most people look beyond mere information and have grasped the aesthetic enjoyment in its essence in the fine arts, even though they might not be conscious of it. This is as it should be. As applied arts have their roots in the world and it is quite possible that they tend to become more and more gross (and less suggestive), thus reducing the aesthetic relish. Hence the art moves away from its true purpose and value.

When we turn our attention to literature, and continue this line of logic, it appears we face some obstacles. This is because among song-dance-theatre-sculpture, abhidā-vṛtti (the explicitly stated aspect) is almost non-existent.  Even when it exists, its importance increases in the same order as above – viz., more in dance than in song, more in painting than in dance and more in sculpture than in painting. The main reason is that bauddhārtha (substance for intellectual analysis) is comparatively minimal in song than in others.  The padārtha (substance, literal meaning / meaning of words) is almost non-existent. What remains is only Absolute ‘Sound.’ And this Sound is inevitably linked to its meaning. Therefore, what always remains in music is the Absolute Unison of word and its meaning.

Everything here relates to supremacy of the vyañjanā-vṛtti (suggestive meaning). Further, since the lakṣaṇā-vṛtti (implied meaning) is a shadow of abhidā-vṛtti (the literal meaning), it becomes negligible. It is worth remembering the grammarian’s saying “Abhidhāyāḥ pucchabhūta-lakṣaṇā” – ‘the implied meaning follows the literal meaning.’ Moreover, since we do not accept any random worldly sounds as ‘music’ in fine arts, if the words are non-contextual, i.e. in the absence of bauddhārtha and padārtha there is no trace of vastu-dhvani (suggestion of an idea) in the vyañjanā-vṛtti. It is because of this, the prevalence of alaṅkāra-dhvani (suggestion of a figure of speech) is meagre as well. In any case, alaṅkāra in music takes the form of svara-laya-vinyāsa (note-rhythm-expansion) Hence rasa-dhvani (suggestion of a rasa – an impersonal emotion) reigns supreme and gets the highest position. Unlike the typical rasas of śṛṅgāra-vīra-karuṇa (love-valour-sorrow), the experience is here is the untainted and Absolute Rasa. Even the ‘essence’ consists only of druti-dīpti-vikāsa (gentleness-brilliance-expansiveness), the typical elements that are natural and are the embodiment of bliss. Even though this kind of pure and typical aestheticism is experienced in basic classical arts like dance, painting, and sculpture, it is difficult to continue to reside in this state.  The main cause is their priority to the sense organs of the sight. It is a well-known fact that visual arts are more concrete than the auditory ones, which is why the eye is more ‘realistic’ than the ear. Oblique expression in a particular form of art is, therefore, a function of the sense organ it caters to. Therefore, it becomes imperative to retain much of padārtha even if bauddhārtha is lacking in one of these arts. Using the terminology of classical Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika darśanas, śabda (sound) is a property (guṇa) of ākāśa. Even when ākāśa is pañcīkṛta (is composed of equal proportions of the other four elements), the abstractness of the auditory medium is still intact because ākāśa remains untainted. However, visual media such as dance, sculpture and painting are concrete due to the presence of the tejas tattva and they remain so, even when tejas is pañcīkṛta. Lack of this discrimination has led to the challenge of introducing music’s abstract personality into dance-theatre-sculpture and has resulted in the over-zealous propping up of ‘modernity’ – a fiasco filled with pretentious voices, perplexities, monstrosities, and devoid of all meaning. These forms are art are turned into riddles the modernists, in the name of suggestion (dhvani).

There is another important question. ‘Literature’ too has developed, like music, from ‘word’ that has origins in the same fundamental element, space. Even then, why is it more concrete and realistic than dance-theatre-sculpture? We will see the relevance and irrelevance of this in a later essay.

This is an English translation of a Kannada essay titled ‘Kalegaḻa Mūrtāmūrtategaḻa Bagege’ by Śatāvadhāni Dr. R Ganesh from his fascinating anthology of essays on language and linguistics, Bhāṣābhṛṅgada Benneri. Translated by Prof. Vedavyas M G from the original Kannada. Thanks to Arjun Bharadwaj for his careful review and detailed feedback. Edited by Hari Ravikumar.

Footnotes

[1] These are technical terms of South Indian classical music; ālāpana refers to free-style improvisation in a given rāga, tāna is an extension of that improvisation but with the introduction of rhythmic pulses; svara-kalpanā refers to improvisation that is carried out strictly adhering to a rhythmic cycle.

[2] The dhātu has taken precedence over mātu.

Author(s)

About:

Dr. Ganesh is a 'shatavadhani' and one of India’s foremost Sanskrit poets and scholars. He writes and lectures extensively on various subjects pertaining to India and Indian cultural heritage. He is a master of the ancient art of avadhana and is credited with reviving the art in Kannada. He is a recipient of the Badarayana-Vyasa Puraskar from the President of India for his contribution to the Sanskrit language.

Translator(s)

About:

Prof. Vedavyas M G is a visiting professor of Strategy and International Business at PES University, Bangalore. He is on the Advisory Board of Atria Institute of Technology. Before moving to academics, Prof. Vedavyas was Senior Vice-President at Mahindra Satyam, responsible for its global telecom business. Earlier he was the Regional Manager for Tata Consultancy Services at Birmingham. Prof. Vedavyas is a graduate of IISc., Bangalore (BE in E&C) and IIM, Bangalore (MBA). He has an abiding interest in everything Kannada.

Prekshaa Publications

Among the many contributions of ancient Indians to world thought, perhaps the most insightful is the realisation that ānanda (Bliss) is the ultimate goal of human existence. Since time immemorial, India has been a land steeped in contemplation about the nature of humans and the universe. The great ṛṣis (seers) and ṛṣikās (seeresses) embarked on critical analysis of subjective experience and...

One of the two great epics of India and arguably the most popular epic in the world, the Ramayana has enchanted generations of people not just in Greater India but the world over. In less than three hundred pages The Essential Ramayana captures all the poetic subtleties and noble values of the original and offers the great epic in an eminently readable form that will appeal to the learned and...

The Bhagavad-gītā isn’t merely a treatise on ultimate liberation. It is also a treatise on good living. Even the laity, which does not have its eye on mokṣa, can immensely benefit from the Gītā. It has the power to grant an attitude of reverence in worldly life, infuse enthusiasm in the execution of duty, impart fortitude in times of adversity, and offer solace to the heart when riddled by...

Indian Perspective of Truth and Beauty in Homer’s Epics is a unique work on the comparative study of the Greek Epics Iliad and Odyssey with the Indian Epics – Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata. Homer, who laid the foundations for the classical tradition of the West, occupies a stature similar to that occupied by the seer-poets Vālmīki and Vyāsa, who are synonymous with the Indian culture. The author...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the sixth volume of reminiscences character sketches of prominent public figures, liberals, and social workers. These remarkable personages hailing from different corners of South India are from a period that spans from the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. Written in Kannada in the 1970s, these memoirs go...

An Introduction to Hinduism based on Primary Sources

Authors: Śatāvadhānī Dr. R Ganesh, Hari Ravikumar

What is the philosophical basis for Sanātana-dharma, the ancient Indian way of life? What makes it the most inclusive and natural of all religio-philosophical systems in the world?

The Essential Sanātana-dharma serves as a handbook for anyone who wishes to grasp the...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the fifth volume, episodes from the lives of traditional savants responsible for upholding the Vedic culture. These memorable characters lived a life of opulence amidst poverty— theirs  was the wealth of the soul, far beyond money and gold. These vidvāns hailed from different corners of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom and lived in...

Padma Bhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam represents the quintessence of Sage Bharata’s art and Bhārata, the country that gave birth to the peerless seer of the Nāṭya-veda. Padma’s erudition in various streams of Indic knowledge, mastery over many classical arts, deep understanding of the nuances of Indian culture, creative genius, and sublime vision bolstered by the vedāntic and nationalistic...

Bhārata has been a land of plenty in many ways. We have had a timeless tradition of the twofold principle of Brāhma (spirit of wisdom) and Kṣāttra (spirit of valour) nourishing and protecting this sacred land. The Hindu civilisation, rooted in Sanātana-dharma, has constantly been enriched by brāhma and safeguarded by kṣāttra.
The renowned Sanskrit poet and scholar, Śatāvadhānī Dr. R...

ಛಂದೋವಿವೇಕವು ವರ್ಣವೃತ್ತ, ಮಾತ್ರಾಜಾತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಕರ್ಷಣಜಾತಿ ಎಂದು ವಿಭಕ್ತವಾದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಬಗೆಯ ಛಂದಸ್ಸುಗಳನ್ನೂ ವಿವೇಚಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಬಂಧಗಳ ಸಂಕಲನ. ಲೇಖಕರ ದೀರ್ಘಕಾಲಿಕ ಆಲೋಚನೆಯ ಸಾರವನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಂಡ ಈ ಹೊತ್ತಗೆ ಪ್ರಧಾನವಾಗಿ ಛಂದಸ್ಸಿನ ಸೌಂದರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಲಕ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ತೌಲನಿಕ ವಿಶ್ಲೇಷಣೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅಂತಃಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀಯ ಅಧ್ಯಯನಗಳ ತೆಕ್ಕೆಗೆ ಬರುವ ಬರೆಹಗಳೂ ಇಲ್ಲಿವೆ. ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಕಾರನಿಗಲ್ಲದೆ ಸಿದ್ಧಹಸ್ತನಾದ ಕವಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಸ್ಫುರಿಸಬಲ್ಲ ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಹೊಳಹುಗಳು ಕೃತಿಯ ಮೌಲಿಕತೆಯನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿವೆ. ಈ...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the fourth volume, some character sketches of the Dewans of Mysore preceded by an account of the political framework of the State before Independence and followed by a review of the political conditions of the State after 1940. These remarkable leaders of Mysore lived in a period that spans from the mid-nineteenth century to the...

Bharatiya Kavya-mimamseya Hinnele is a monograph on Indian Aesthetics by Mahamahopadhyaya N. Ranganatha Sharma. The book discusses the history and significance of concepts pivotal to Indian literary theory. It is equally useful to the learned and the laity.

Sahitya-samhite is a collection of literary essays in Kannada. The book discusses aestheticians such as Ananda-vardhana and Rajashekhara; Sanskrit scholars such as Mena Ramakrishna Bhat, Sridhar Bhaskar Varnekar and K S Arjunwadkar; and Kannada litterateurs such as DVG, S L Bhyrappa and S R Ramaswamy. It has a foreword by Shatavadhani Dr. R Ganesh.

The Mahābhārata is the greatest epic in the world both in magnitude and profundity. A veritable cultural compendium of Bhārata-varṣa, it is a product of the creative genius of Maharṣi Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa. The epic captures the experiential wisdom of our civilization and all subsequent literary, artistic, and philosophical creations are indebted to it. To read the Mahābhārata is to...

Shiva Rama Krishna

சிவன். ராமன். கிருஷ்ணன்.
இந்திய பாரம்பரியத்தின் முப்பெரும் கதாநாயகர்கள்.
உயர் இந்தியாவில் தலைமுறைகள் பல கடந்தும் கடவுளர்களாக போற்றப்பட்டு வழிகாட்டிகளாக விளங்குபவர்கள்.
மனித ஒற்றுமை நூற்றாண்டுகால பரிணாம வளர்ச்சியின் பரிமாணம்.
தனிநபர்களாகவும், குடும்ப உறுப்பினர்களாகவும், சமுதாய பிரஜைகளாகவும் நாம் அனைவரும் பரிமளிக்கிறோம்.
சிவன் தனிமனித அடையாளமாக அமைகிறான்....

ऋतुभिः सह कवयः सदैव सम्बद्धाः। विशिष्य संस्कृतकवयः। यथा हि ऋतवः प्रतिसंवत्सरं प्रतिनवतामावहन्ति मानवेषु तथैव ऋतुवर्णनान्यपि काव्यरसिकेषु कामपि विच्छित्तिमातन्वते। ऋतुकल्याणं हि सत्यमिदमेव हृदि कृत्वा प्रवृत्तम्। नगरजीवनस्य यान्त्रिकतां मान्त्रिकतां च ध्वनदिदं चम्पूकाव्यं गद्यपद्यमिश्रितमिति सुव्यक्तमेव। ऐदम्पूर्वतया प्रायः पुरीपरिसरप्रसृतानाम् ऋतूनां विलासोऽत्र प्रपञ्चितः। बेङ्गलूरुनामके...

The Art and Science of Avadhānam in Sanskrit is a definitive work on Sāhityāvadhānam, a form of Indian classical art based on multitasking, lateral thinking, and extempore versification. Dotted throughout with tasteful examples, it expounds in great detail on the theory and practice of this unique performing art. It is as much a handbook of performance as it is an anthology of well-turned...

This anthology is a revised edition of the author's 1978 classic. This series of essays, containing his original research in various fields, throws light on the socio-cultural landscape of Tamil Nadu spanning several centuries. These compelling episodes will appeal to scholars and laymen alike.
“When superstitious mediaevalists mislead the country about its judicial past, we have to...

The cultural history of a nation, unlike the customary mainstream history, has a larger time-frame and encompasses the timeless ethos of a society undergirding the course of events and vicissitudes. A major key to the understanding of a society’s unique character is an appreciation of the far-reaching contributions by outstanding personalities of certain periods – especially in the realms of...

Prekṣaṇīyam is an anthology of essays on Indian classical dance and theatre authored by multifaceted scholar and creative genius, Śatāvadhānī Dr. R Ganesh. As a master of śāstra, a performing artiste (of the ancient art of Avadhānam), and a cultured rasika, he brings a unique, holistic perspective to every discussion. These essays deal with the philosophy, history, aesthetics, and practice of...

Yaugandharam

इदं किञ्चिद्यामलं काव्यं द्वयोः खण्डकाव्ययोः सङ्कलनरूपम्। रामानुरागानलं हि सीतापरित्यागाल्लक्ष्मणवियोगाच्च श्रीरामेणानुभूतं हृदयसङ्क्षोभं वर्णयति । वात्सल्यगोपालकं तु कदाचिद्भानूपरागसमये घटितं यशोदाश्रीकृष्णयोर्मेलनं वर्णयति । इदम्प्रथमतया संस्कृतसाहित्ये सम्पूर्णं काव्यं...

Vanitakavitotsavah

इदं खण्डकाव्यमान्तं मालिनीछन्दसोपनिबद्धं विलसति। मेनकाविश्वामित्रयोः समागमः, तत्फलतया शकुन्तलाया जननम्, मातापितृभ्यां त्यक्तस्य शिशोः कण्वमहर्षिणा परिपालनं चेति काव्यस्यास्येतिवृत्तसङ्क्षेपः।

Vaiphalyaphalam

इदं खण्डकाव्यमान्तं मालिनीछन्दसोपनिबद्धं विलसति। मेनकाविश्वामित्रयोः समागमः, तत्फलतया शकुन्तलाया जननम्, मातापितृभ्यां त्यक्तस्य शिशोः कण्वमहर्षिणा परिपालनं चेति काव्यस्यास्येतिवृत्तसङ्क्षेपः।

Nipunapraghunakam

इयं रचना दशसु रूपकेष्वन्यतमस्य भाणस्य निदर्शनतामुपैति। एकाङ्करूपकेऽस्मिन् शेखरकनामा चित्रोद्यमलेखकः केनापि हेतुना वियोगम् अनुभवतोश्चित्रलेखामिलिन्दकयोः समागमं सिसाधयिषुः कथामाकाशभाषणरूपेण निर्वहति।

Bharavatarastavah

अस्मिन् स्तोत्रकाव्ये भगवन्तं शिवं कविरभिष्टौति। वसन्ततिलकयोपनिबद्धस्य काव्यस्यास्य कविकृतम् उल्लाघनाभिधं व्याख्यानं च वर्तते।

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the third volume, some character sketches of great literary savants responsible for Kannada renaissance during the first half of the twentieth century. These remarkable...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the second volume, episodes from the lives of remarkable exponents of classical music and dance, traditional storytellers, thespians, and connoisseurs; as well as his...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the first volume, episodes from the lives of great writers, poets, literary aficionados, exemplars of public life, literary scholars, noble-hearted common folk, advocates...

Evolution of Mahabharata and Other Writings on the Epic is the English translation of S R Ramaswamy's 1972 Kannada classic 'Mahabharatada Belavanige' along with seven of his essays on the great epic. It tells the riveting...

Shiva-Rama-Krishna is an English adaptation of Śatāvadhāni Dr. R Ganesh's popular lecture series on the three great...

Bharatilochana

ಮಹಾಮಾಹೇಶ್ವರ ಅಭಿನವಗುಪ್ತ ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ವಿದ್ಯಾವಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮರೆಯಲಾಗದ ಹೆಸರು. ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಶೈವದರ್ಶನ ಮತ್ತು ಸೌಂದರ್ಯಮೀಮಾಂಸೆಗಳ ಪರಮಾಚಾರ್ಯನಾಗಿ  ಸಾವಿರ ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಇವನು ಜ್ಞಾನಪ್ರಪಂಚವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಭಾವಿಸುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದ್ದಾನೆ. ಭರತಮುನಿಯ ನಾಟ್ಯಶಾಸ್ತ್ರವನ್ನು ಅರ್ಥಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಇವನೊಬ್ಬನೇ ನಮಗಿರುವ ಆಲಂಬನ. ಇದೇ ರೀತಿ ರಸಧ್ವನಿಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತವನ್ನು...

Vagarthavismayasvadah

“वागर्थविस्मयास्वादः” प्रमुखतया साहित्यशास्त्रतत्त्वानि विमृशति । अत्र सौन्दर्यर्यशास्त्रीयमूलतत्त्वानि यथा रस-ध्वनि-वक्रता-औचित्यादीनि सुनिपुणं परामृष्टानि प्रतिनवे चिकित्सकप्रज्ञाप्रकाशे। तदन्तर एव संस्कृतवाङ्मयस्य सामर्थ्यसमाविष्कारोऽपि विहितः। क्वचिदिव च्छन्दोमीमांसा च...

The Best of Hiriyanna

The Best of Hiriyanna is a collection of forty-eight essays by Prof. M. Hiriyanna that sheds new light on Sanskrit Literature, Indian...

Stories Behind Verses

Stories Behind Verses is a remarkable collection of over a hundred anecdotes, each of which captures a story behind the composition of a Sanskrit verse. Collected over several years from...