Vol.16
No. 7 July - 2016
FASCINATING EPIC JOURNEY
Felicitations to eminent epic poets Prof. Reva Prasad Dwivedi of Varanasi and
Dr. T.V. Venkatachala Shastry of Mysuru (sitting extreme right and left)
World epics, their rich and
varied content and literary artistry
notwithstanding, attract few
readers if any. Yet the conference
on Mahavakvyas got up by
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB),
Bengaluru Kendra, June last,
threw up such animated
participation as to rekindle interest
in them, demanding a compulsive
visitation.
Epics, by definition, are
voluminous, immediately debarring
them from the interest area of
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Scholars
chanting
Vedic
hymns
If creative writing of
recognized artistic value is a
cornerstone of categorizing a
literary work as a Mahakavya,
Indian epics traverse from the
mysteries of time till date,
capturing every aspect of life,
the essential difference being
that Mahakavyas represent,
quintessentially, the culture,
youngsters. Any kind of reading
today, is, after all, passé! What
distinctly came across in the fourday event was the vastness of the
literary world vis a vis epics,
“Mahakavyas”— the Indian
nomenclature for epics— being
more relevant to present times,
rooted as they are in the cultural
ethos of the land.
Launch of book, ‘Message of Mahapuranas’
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Rendering prayers from Mahakavyas under the direction of
Smt. Gangamma Keshavamurthy ( second from right).
Also seen is Sri. M.A. Jayarama Rao, renowned gamaki.
traditions and life philosophy
of India, whereas the western
“heroic” epics are straitjacketed.
Inaugurating the seminar
on June 17, Prof. Maha
Mahopadyaya Reva Prasad
Dwivedi said a work of art
has little use unless it aids in
introspection and self-realization.
Lauding the seminar as a great
opportunity to get to know world
and Indian epics, Prof. Dwivedi’s
points to ponder were that the
message of the Vedas was central
to Mahakavyas, sans which they
needed to be shunned; Alankara is
the essence of poetry and not
mere literary embellishment.
Prof. Reva Prasad Dwivedi of Varanasi and Dr. T.V. Venkatachala Shastry of Mysuru
being felicitated by Sri. Madhu Pandit Dasa, President, ISKCON, Bengaluru, and
Justice Sri. B.N. Srikrishna, former Judge, Supreme Court & Vice President, BVB,
while other dignitaries on the dais join in.
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Vishwanatha and Dandi, their
messages being more contextual
to current times than ever before;
their implementation imperative
for a ‘sublime life’.
Delivering the keynote
address, Justice B. N. Srikrishna,
former Judge of the Supreme
Court, and Vice-President, BVB
international,while appreciating
the great service being done by
BVB for the ‘renaissance of
Indian culture’, dwelt at length
on the Pancha Mahakavyas—
considered the five gems of
Sanskrit literature—covering
Kalidasa, Bharavi and
Sreeharsha, to clearly arrive at
what constitutes Mahakavyas.
In a scholarly talk that was
yet succinct in communication,
culled from his study and
understanding of the epics, Justice
Srikrishna derived the definitions
of Mahakavyas from classical
Sanskrit poets such as
Chief Guest Dr. T. V.
Venkatachala Shastry pointed
out the dichotomy between
eulogizing of ancient Indian
literature as a national heritage
and the apathy towards them in
the neglect of their learning.
Incorporating classics into the
education system alone could
ensure their becoming the
lifeblood of society once again,
he felt.
Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa,
President, ISKCON, in his
presidential address spoke of the
Sri. M. Veerappa Moily being felicitated by Sri. K.G. Raghavan (left)
4
Sri.
Ramakanth
Rath of
Bhubaneshwar
being
felicitated
by
Sri. Pathi
Sridhara
and Sri.
Chiranjeev
Singh
malnutrition in a country where
3,000 children die every day
due to lack of nourishing food.
Akshaya Patra programme—
synonymous with the service
activities of ISKCON— which
today feeds over 11 crore children
in 10 states, even in the remotest
of areas, the cascading effect of
the mid-day meal scheme being
better enrolment in schools,
dramatic dip in dropout rates,
and addressing the problem of
Curtains were drawn on the
event with Sri Veerappa Moily,
MP, in his valedictory speech
quoting from Ramayana and
Mahabharata to reiterate that their
ethical core is the lifeline of Indian
society. He drew from his own
Dr. Manu
Baligar,
President,
Kannada
Sahitya
Parishat,
being
felicitated
by Sri.
N. Ramanuja,
Chairman,
BVB,
Bengaluru
5
Dr.
S. Ranganath
being
felicitated
by
Sri. H.N.
Suresh,
Director,
BVB,
Bengaluru
—Eight sessions with seven
speakers each
—50 scholars from across India
including Kashmir
—Epics from 10 Indian languages
—Epics from two foreign
languages—Latin and Greek
— Topics ranged from Ramayana
and Mahabharata to classical
Sanskrit works, Kambha
Ramayana, What Mahakavyas
Mean To Me, Pancha
Mahakavya’s in Telugu, Folk Epic
Traditions in Hindi, Telugu, Epic
Traditions in Persian, Urdu,
Gujarati, Punjabi, Kashmir, Tulu,
Kodava, Homer’s Illiad and
Odyssey (Greek), Aenid of
Virgil (Latin), and Divine Comedy
of Dante (Italian).
—Book exhibition of BVB
publications.
five-volume epic, “Ramayana
Mahanveshanam”, to reinterpret
the “Rama Rajya” of yore to
present times, within a “secular
framework”.
Chief Guest Sri Manu Baligar,
President, Kannada Sahitya
Parishath, felt Mahakavyas could
be popularized by organizing
workshops for youngsters,
appealing to BVB to take up
the task.
Cultural programmes, centring
on Mahakavyas, rounded off the
academic sessions on all days.
Conference highlights:
—Book launch—Message of
Mahapuranas—a compilation of
the 2014 national conference
—Recitation and singing of
excerpts from Mahakavyas
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AN OVERVIEW OF
MODERN SANSKRIT
EPICS
There is an astonishing
increase of creative writing in
Sanskrit today which is
qualitatively comparable with
Sanskrit writings of any century
including the golden age of
Sanskrit.
—Dr. S. Ranganath
Bengaluru
Dr. S. Ranganath
VYASA-MAHABHARATA
Mahabharata, keeping the
lifestyle of its people in the
backdrop, has formatted a
philosophy that appeals to them,
and one they can identify
themselves with.
—Dr. Vishwanath Bhat
Bengaluru
Dr. Vishwanath Bhat
RAGHUVAMSA
Testing times are revealing
times; our actions in those tricky
moments determine who we are.
The greatest value upheld by
Raghuvamsa is “enjoyment
without indulgence”.
—Shashi Kiran B. N.
Bengaluru
Sri. Shashikiran
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SHISHUPALAVADHA OF
MAAGHA
The poet’s scholarship, its
contextual use reflecting the social
values of the times, and language
embellishments while weaving a
story are elements used to show
the supremacy of the divine and
victory of righteousness.
—Dr. Pratibha Nagendra
Bengaluru
Dr. Prathibha Nagendra
AADIPURANA
An analysis of the Aadipurana
was attempted for the first time in
Ranna’s Ajitha Purana in 993
A.D. It is the shortest
Jainapurana.
—Prof. Kamala Hampana
Bengaluru
Prof. Kamala Hampana
HARISHCHANDRA
KAAVYA
The path of truth adhered
to by Satya Harischandra is
blended with existential realities.
This is the special feature of
Harischandra Kavya.
—Dr. H. N.Muralidhara
Bengaluru
Dr. H.N. Muralidhara
8
PRABHULINGALEELE
In today’s world where
spirituality is caught in the web of
the conflicts of daily life,
symbolism and icons have gained
prominence. One looks for
rewards everywhere, but the one
who has turned inward in his
thinking has no such expectations.
—Dr. N. R. Lalithamba
Bengaluru
Dr. N.R. Lalithambha
BHARATESHA VAIBHAVA
A rich vocabulary put to good
use, is more than evident in this
work. This is one of the major
attractions of the epic, and anyone
who goes through it will appreciate
its richness of content and words.
—Dr. R. Lakshminarayana
Bengaluru
Dr. R. Lakshminarayana
BHARATHA SINDHU
RASHMI
Imbibing from the best of
epic traditions, the work traces
the spiritual journey of man,
centred through sage
Vishwamitra, and his transition
from Rajarishi to Brahmarishi.
—G. Ramachandra
Mysuru
Sri. G. Ramachandra, Mysuru
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EPIC TRADITION IN TULU
Although the matrix of Tulu
epics is similar to that of epics in
other Indian languages, the details
and emotions are more intricate
and impactful, as seen in the
works of ancient Tulu poets.
—Prof.Paadekal Vishnu Bhatta
Udupi
Prof. Paadekal Vishnu Bhatta
EPIC TRADITION IN
KODAVA
Mahabhrata has been
integrated into the regional,
cultural, and literary aspects of
Kodava life, the essence of the
epic having seeped into the
psyche of the common man.
—Dr. Rekha Vasanth
Kodagu
Dr. Rekha Vasanth
PANCHA MAHAKAVYAS IN
TELUGU
Excellent story-telling
narrative, rich costuming, and
classy style of writing have made
the Panchamahakavyas a source
of inspiration to Telugu poets and
writers. They are a literary and
philosophical guide to students.
—Prof. R. V. S. Sundaram
Mysuru
Prof. R.V.S. Sundaram
10
KAAMAAYANI
The message of Kaamaayani
is that the equilibrium between the
inanimate and life force is the way
to eternal happiness.
—Dr. T. G. Prabha Shankar
Bengaluru
Dr. T.G. Prabha Shankar
EPIC TRADITION IN
MALAYALAM
From the very beginnings of
Malayala literature, poets have
been following the Sanskrit epic
tradition. Some historical poems
are based on Christian and
Muslim stories.
— Prof. P. K. Madhavan
Lakkidi, Kerala
Prof. P.K. Madhavan
PROPER APPROACH TO
THE RAMAYANA AND
MAHABHARATA
ACCORDING TO SRILA
PRABHUPADA
Ramayana is not just great
poetry. It is transcendental
literature meant for selfrealization. Mistakes, illusions,
cheating and defective perception
do not occur in the sayings of
liberated sages, the compilers of
our ancient history, says Srila
Prabhupada
—Stoka Krishna Dasa
ISKCON, Bengaluru
Sri Stoka Krishna Prabhu
11
PARADOX OF FEMALE
CHASTITY IN THE
BENGALI RAMAYANA OF
KRITTIVASA
The Bengali Ramayana of
Krittivasa, from the perspective of
a strict code of female chastity,
points to how this very
subjugation becomes a weapon
for female empowerment that can
threaten the most powerful of
patriarchs including Rama himself.
—Dr. Saumitra Chakravarty
Bengaluru
Dr. Saumitra Chakravarty
SARALA DAS
‘Sarala Das’ characters are
like ordinary people who combine
different attributes in themselves.
He is a poet who once belonged
to a tradition and rebelled against
it, protesting the caste system and
meaningless rituals.
—Ramakantha Rath
Bhubaneshwar
Sri. Ramakanth Rath
ILIAD AND ODYSSEY OF HOMER
The works of Homer have
largely influenced the themes in
painting and sculpture of the
Greco-Roman world, on
Renaissance artistes of Europe,
and contemporary artistes the
world over. These are Homer’s
footprints on the sands of time.
—Arjun Bharadwaj
Bengaluru
Sri Arjun Bharadhvaj
12
KUMARA SAMBHAVAM OF
KALIDASA
Kumarasambhavam is a
great epic, the shortest but most
profound epic in the whole range
of Indian literature. The poet deals
with the concept of beauty
beyond body.
—Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh
Bengaluru
Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh
DIVINE COMEDY OF
DANTE
To Dante, Beatrice
represented divine enlightenment,
his writings making him out to be a
philosopher despite their striking
imagery.
—Prof. K. M. Seetharamaiah
Bengaluru
Prof. K.M. Seetharamaiah
FOLK EPICS OF THE EAST
The world of folk epic
literature is a treasure trove of
language, ideas, heroics, and
earthy philosophy, and provides
excellent material for researchers.
—Dr. S. L. Srinivasamurthy
Bengaluru
Dr. S.L. Srinivasmurthy
13
AENIED OF VIRGIL
The undercurrent of Virgil’s
Aenid directly addresses universal
human experience.The Aenid
provides a background rooted
in Greek mythology for the
development of Roman
civilization, with the intention of
immortalizing Rome.
—Suhas Mahesh
Bengaluru
Sri. Suhas Mahesh
FOLK EPICS OF CENTRAL
ASIA & MIDDLE EAST
King Gesar, the oral epic of
central Asia, is narrated in the
“champu” mode of Sanskrit
poetics, with a distinct influence of
the Ramayana visible in some, and
later, Buddhism, yet studded with
Sanskrit and Pali words. Manas,
another oral epic, gradually came
under the influence of Islam.
—Prof. C. N. Ramachandran
Bengaluru
Prof. C.N. Ramachandran
EPIC TRADITION IN
KASHMIRI
Avatar Bhatt’s “Banasur
Vadakatha”, the first epic in
Kashmiri written in 1446, later
sequenced into long poems, as a
separate genre, then into
Mathnavi or narrative poetry—
much of it with Islamic motifs,
interspersed with writings on
Ramayana.
—Prof. Shafi Shauq, Srinagar
Prof. Shafi Sahuq
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Children
participate
in
the
inaugural
programme
BVB book exhibition
15
JUSTICE B.N. SRIKRISHNA VISITS
BHAVAN-BBMP PUBLIC SCHOOL
ON JUN 18, 2016
Justice Srikrishna with the school children
Group Photo : Staff, faculty, and children
pose for a pic with Justice B.N. Srikrishna
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JUSTICE SRIKRISHNA VISITS
THE BHAVAN BENGALURU KENDRA
OFFICE ON JUN 18, 2016
Justice Srikrishna being felicitated by
Sri. Raghavan
Smt.
H.V.
Gayathri,
Manager,
BhavanBBMP
School
interacting
with the
Justice
B.N.
Srikrishna
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BHAVAN-INFOSYS FOUNDATION PROGRAMME
AT INDIAN INSTITUTE OF WORLD CULTURE,
BASAVANAGUDI, BENGALURU ON JUNE 10, 2016
Sugama Sangeetha by Smt. Vani Mardur Salimath & Party
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Sat
5.30 p.m. 02.
BVB -Infosys Foundation
and Ananya Outreach programme :
Carnatic Vocal Music :
Vid.Pavan Rangachar
accompanied by
Violin : Vid B Raghuram
Mridanga :
Vid. Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma
Khanjira : Vid. Anoor Sunaad A D
Venue : Indiranagar Sangeetha
Sabha, Purandara Bhavan, 8th Main
HAL II Stage, Bengaluru - 560038
PROGRAMME :
JULY- 2016
Fri
6.00 p.m. 15.
Thatva Padagalu by
Vocal : Sri K M Ramaiah
Ekadaari Tala : D Narayanamma
Shruti : Mahalingaiah
Damadi : Prakash
Kanjira : Ratnamma
(in association with Infosys
Foundation)
Venue : Indian Institute of World
Culture, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru
Sat
11.00 a.m. - KRG Hall
09.
Book Launch
‘Rich Tradition, Richer Heritage’
authored by Bhavan’s President
Sri Surendralal G Mehta.
Launch by : Dr. K Radhakrishnan,
Advisor, DOS / ISRO and
Former Chairman, ISRO
Introduction of the book :
Prof. M H Krishnaiah
former Chairman, Karnataka Sahitya
Academy
Sri. N. Ramanuja, Chairman, BVB,
Presides
Tue
6.00 p.m. - KRG Hall
19.
BVB – Jyothy charitable
Trust present Vyasa Jyothy Award to
Prof. G. Shivaram Agnihotri.
Award presented by Hon’ble Justice
Dr. M.N.Venkatachalaiah
former Chief Justice of India
Lecture on
Importance of Guru Poornima by
Dr. T V Satyanarayan
renowned scholar
Sat
6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall
09.
Horizon series Dance programme –Shivakami
under the direction of
Guru Revathi Narasimhan
(in association with Indian
Council for Cultural Relations)
Thu
Khincha Hall
28.
10.30 a.m. to 12 Noon and
5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
BVB and Aatmalaya Academy
presents ‘Wings of Fire’ a thematic
dance by the students of the
academy to commemorate President
Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam’s first death
anniversary.
Thu
6.00 p.m. - Khincha Hall
14.
BVB Sai Grace Foundation
presents Sri Yadalam Nanjaiah Setty
Memorial Endowment Lecture
Speaker : Dr. Gururaj Karajagi –
Educationist and Chairman Academy
for creative teaching.
Topic : Pleasure in giving
Sun
6.00 p.m. - Khincha Hall
31.
Kuchupudi Arangetram by
Dr. N.R.Chandrika
Disciple of Guru Dharani T Kashyap.
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BOOK POST
July - 2016
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JYOTHI RAGHURAM