A Handbook Of The Indian Poetics And Aesthetics- Theories of Rasa, Dhvani, Alamkaras, Riti, Vakrokti and Aucitya etc.

About the Author Prof. Ami. U. Upadhyay is a young dynamic Professor of English. She is working as a professor of English and Director. School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University. Ahmadabad. Gujarat, India. At present. she is shouldering the responsibility office registrar of the university also. She has presented papers and participated in more than 65 International. National and State Level Conferences and seminars. She has been invited as a keynote/plenary speaker and resource person for more than 55 seminars/workshops/conferences. She has more than 30 publications in form of research papers. articles and books to her credit. She offers her services as an editor and reviewer too many national and international journals of repute. She is associated with many renowned academic institutes/universities as a Member of Board of Management. Member of Board of Studies. Member of Academic Planning Board. Member of Academic Councils etc. She is also a member of various academic and professional bodies like LACS. CLAI etc. Her areas of interest are Feminism. Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, Adaptation of Literature in various forms, Translation Studies, Gender Studies, ELT, Communication Skills and Various Teaching Methodologies with special reference to English Language Teaching. Her interest in Interdisciplinary studies has encouraged her to contribute in various fields of knowledge. She is also an adept classical dancer, dance teacher and choreographer. She has per- formed and earned recognition as a classical dance at National level.

Preface Sanskrit literature is one of the oldest literatures in the world. It has rich traditions in various branches of knowledge. The beauty of Sanskrit literature lies in its adoration and worship of beauty. Indian view of life and the world is all-inclusive. Unlike the Western traditions, it evades finality and rationality.

It has a wonderful heritage of mythology that endorses and accepts plurality and multiplicity. Its philosophy of life is cyclical, not linear.

The same is true of Indian poetics and aesthetics. Sensory realm is often described as maya (an illusion) but earthly delights are also cherished and relished even by gods and goddesses. Lord Krishna symbolizes erotic and worldly pleasures. The Indian aesthetics believes that the ultimate aim of life is to experience union with the Divine. The concept of aesthetic flavor 'Rasa' is at the centre of Indian aesthetics. Indian drama, music, poetry, dance, sculpture and all other arts revolve round the theory of Rasa. Bharata's 'Natyasastra' is a milestone in Indian poetics.

Other theories of poetics and aesthetics also evolved from Bharata's theory of Rasa. In Indian poetics, word has been bestowed the title of Sabdabrahma and rasa is regarded as the soul of poetry or art in general.

I am delighted to place this book on Indian Poetics and Aesthetics in the hands of scholars, teachers, researchers and students.

It is the result of thousands of hours I spent on in-depth study of Indian aesthetics and poetics. As a Kathak dancer and teacher. I have always been deeply interested in Indian theory of art, music and dance. While I penned this book, I underwent an aesthetic voyage within. I do not claim to be an expert in Indian poetics and aesthetics but my profound study of the subject inspired me to write this compendium of delight.

As a professor of English, I am aware that there is a great demand and need for a handy book on Indian poetics that covers not only Rasa theory but other theories like Riti, Vakrokti, Alamkaras, Aucitya, Guna-Dosa etc. I am sure that the book will be immensely useful to students, researchers and teachers.

At present, 'Indian Poetics' is prescribed for post-graduate studies in the Department of English and Comparative Studies in many universities.

**Contents and Sample Pages**