REVIEWS
Social Justice and Law: By K. Subba Rao. National Publishing House, 23 Dayarganj, Delhi-110006. Price: Rs.
20-00.
Sri
K. Subba Rao, the former Chief Justice of India, was
invited to deliver the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Memorial
Lectures endowed by the
It does great credit to the acute perception and vast
experience of the lecturer to
have presented his views on what the Constitution of India has taken up to preserve in the form of social justice and how the law has
to be interpreted, when
especially chances of mistakes
arising in the administration of it
have to be envisaged.
In his first lecture he
has described social justice in terms of what is contained in our Constitution
with the Rule of Law employed
as the instrument for effecting social justice. To his regret he finds the
judicial instrument as provided in Articles 32, 136 and 226 of the Constitution
have not been as effectively used as would justify their presence in the
Constitution, and further his criticism of their use as more with procedural
doctrines than with the removal of injustice is a point to be noted. On the doctrine of ‘prospective overruling’ which
was mooted in Golaknath’s case for the first time and
adopted by the Supreme Court, a controversy regarding the application of the
principle as to whether only to future cases or even the instant case, raised
quite a quantity of discussion.
After brief narration of Administrative Law and a rapid touching upon Parts III
and IV of the Constitution, he has mentioned how an integrated scheme for
implementing some of the provisions for securing the welfare of the people, through social
justice, has been comprehended by the fathers of our Constitution.
Dealing with social
justice, he has adverted to it under three heads of Equality,
In the second lecture,
while considering the way in which economic justice through law could be
achieved, the lecturer has elaborately considered the development of industry
both in the private and public sectors with an aim to prevent concentration of
wealth and for a more equitable distribution of it. His suggestions as to a
plan which would satisfy the requirements of both democracy and the Rule of Law
needs attention from planners in the economic field.
He has not failed also to point to the urgent scope for reforms in the
agricultural sector, especially of land taxes. The present tax structure requires,
according to him, careful consideration in the matter of choice of a personnel with expertise in the field.
He has some hard words
regarding the conferment of titles as violating the Fundamental Rights, because
of the discrimination it introduces in social justice. He has referred with
comments to some of the constantly agitating problems such as castes, status of
women, labour-capital relationship, legal reforms,
dowry, care of children, administration of civil and criminal justice, capital
punishment and last but not least, social security.
Concluding, he lays
stress upon the function of the Supreme Court in maintaining the Rule of Law in
which socio-economic justice is inextricably integrated.
Lawyers and publicists
will profit much by a perusal of the book, containing many timely solutions to
the raging topics in the field of present day efforts to establish an
egalitarian society.
–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN
Valmiki Ramayana: By V. Sitaramiah. Sahitya Akademi,
“Nothing can be a
substitute to reading the Ramayana in the original Sanskrit and reading
it aloud–even to oneself. Sanskrit is dear to us in
These are words which
find a place in the Foreword to this condensed account in English of the epic.
Most of us will agree with them as echoing our own feelings. In pellucid and
chaste language, Prof. Sitaramiah has narrated the
main story in the second chapter of this book with occasional footnotes bearing
his own reactions to some of the points of discrepancy or possible
interpolation according to his judgment. In six chapters along with an
Introduction and a Glossary towards the end, the book reveals an attempt to
evoke the discerning appreciation of the reader of the great poem.
Some of his reflections
during the course of his narration need to draw the attention of the
understanding reader. For instance, his reference to Bharata as one who “cannot believe that Rama could do
wrong. If he had a grouse against him it was that Rama thought of and
for others more than for himself, was always more disinterested; and would
sacrifice his own interests from what he deemed were higher motives and
principles of conduct,” is a fine assessment of Bharata
in which any literary critic of the poem will immediately fall in. Another
statement regarding Sita’s character beautifully
highlights her individuality. “She is not a weak or clinging type of heroine
and can never be taken for granted. Her sense of pride and dignity is high and
for all sweetness and amiability of her character, she will speak her mind when
necessary.”
`The style of the author
itself in short sentences but with appropriate and effective turns of
expression really draws the reader to have more of it. But within a compass
allowed him he could no more dwell upon the epic than in succinct chapters
dealing with some of the personae, episodes and the poetry, which remarkably
evidence his power of expression as well as his judgment in literary matters.
–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN
Indian Poetry Today: Volume One. Published by The Indian Council for Cultural Relations,
The book is a very fine
anthology of modern Punjabi poetry, Tamil poetry and Bengali poetry translated
into English. The three editors have done commendable work by not only choosing
the best pieces but by also giving a very fine introduction and biographical
notes about each poet.
The piece
of Punjabi poetry selected by Amrita Pritam are
indeed gold and defiant of all traditions and quite representative of the
vitality and energy of the
In cafes, corners,
Hotels and bars,
People sit leisurely on
sofas,
Talk of hippies,
beatniks,
Sex and poetics,
Chew hot women
With hot drinks...
In the poem Darners by Karamjit the poet tries to criticise
the modern man whose mind and soul according to him are in need of darning.
There is a directness,
spontaneity and a touch of the traditional in the selections of Tamil poetry.
The editor T. Janakiraman gives a very detailed,
historical introduction to the poems which are described as post-Bharati poems.
Some of the poems are a little abstract and complicated and they have a touch
of individuality and are very fresh and charming. The poem Sun by Subrahmanya Bharati is very simple but it expresses an
eternal truth about darkness and light–
Or perhaps
You are brother and
sister
And your mother
Bid you both to protect
the world
Taking shifts in turns.
There is a very simple
beauty in the lyric Flowers by Kavimani Desigavinayakam Pillai where he
explained the significance of flowers in life, stressing upon the symbolical
and aesthetic aspect.
The dross and dirt of
the soil
We transform into
fragrance.
This poem is quite a
contrast to I do not know by Napichamurthi
where the poet looks at an object not as an end in itself but in its
Utilitarian aspect and man is seen as
A stone pillar
Supporting an unseen
society.
Quite a contrast are the selections of Bengali
poetry by Lokenath Bhattacharya. There is a marked
Western impact on the Bengali poets–their imagery, symbolism and vocabulary are
deeply influenced by the French symbolists. The Cat by Jibanand Das is very striking. Here he describes this
simple and common domestic animal and gives it a significant poetic meaning:
I saw him in the autumn
evening stroking, with soft white paws
The scarlet sun; then he
gathers the darkness
Like little balls,
grabbing each with a jab of his paws
And spreads them all
once the earth.
As most of these poems have either been
translated or adapted by the poets themselves much of the original meaning is
retained. Nearly all the poems display an intellectual sophistication and
culture which is quite extraordinary.
The anthology presents a
very fine view of the contemporary literary scene in India. This book is a
valuable addition to any library. We look forward eagerly for the publication
of the rest of the volumes. The Indian Council for Cultural Affairs has to be
congratulated for publishing a book which will strengthen cultural relations.
–DR ILA RAO
Saint Arunagirinatha: By Swami Anvananda. Pongi Publications,
Sri Vaishnavi Campus, Madras-600062. Price: Rs. 12-50.
The sexcentenary
celebrations of Arunagirinatha (circa 1375), the
author of the Tiruppugazh songs and several
devotional works in Tamil, were conducted on an all-India basis during 1975.
Conferences and Bhajans were held in various parts of
India and a special stamp was also released for the occasion. The A. I. R.
broadcast features in no less than seven languages for a period of six months.
But the need for a good English monograph on Arunagirinatha,
his philosophy and works appears to have been forgotten by most people and
Swami Anvananda’s book fulfils this requirement in an
ample measure.
The author (Sri S. Parthasarathi in his Purvasrama),
is a passionate devotee of Arunagirinatha and an
ardent disciple of the late Vallimalai Swami whose
name is synonymous with that of Tiruppugazh. He has
made a thorough study of all available literature on Arunagirinatha,
both the traditional accounts as well as the interesting findings of a band of
research scholars who have traced the author of the Tiruppugazh
to a family of Brahmin scholars who originally migrated to Tamil Nadu at the request of a Chola
king in the 11 th century. Arunagirinatha
is generally believed to have been patronized by Deva
Raya II (1422-1446), ruler of Vijayanagar,
who had Tiruvannamalai as his second capital. Swami Anvananda has fully discussed the historical basis of Arunagirinatha’s biography but there are still one or two
loose ends to be tied up before it can be established that he was a
contemporary of Bukka I and not Devaraya
II as he has pointed out.
Arunagirinatha’s spiritual evolution,
his yoga and his pilgrimages have been dealt with exhaustively. Eminently
readable English translations of the Kandar Anubhuti and Perutta Vachanam verses, add to our enjoyment of the book. Arunagirinatha was essentially a bhakta
and there is no need to give him a metaphysical label by discussing his
conception of Parabrahman, etc.
The book rounds off with
a life of Vallimalai Swami, a map and indices of
places connected with Arunagirinatha.
–T. S. PARTHASARATHY
Language and Nationality Politics in India: Edited by Karat Prakash, Orient Longman, Madras-2. Price: Rs. 13-00.
The book is a brief for
Linguistic Provincialism within Indian Nationalism.
Pre-Independence India
was a congeries of conglomerates of Provinces and States, peopled with diverse
nationalities. That is to say, they are rather hacked out to suit
administrative convenience. During the period of British annexation due to
socio-economic changes industrial and landlord classes emerged everywhere.
The mushroom bourgeois
in various regions felt the need to advance their interests for linguistic
territories.
Chapters 1 and 2
concentrate on this aspect engendered by colonialism. The national movement
which started for a few loaves and fishes of office snowballed into a mighty
all-India-wide organisation, claiming its birth right
‘Swaraj.’ And the fight for linguistic states forms a
minor episode in this mighty saga of non-violent non-co-operation with the
British Imperialism to wrest independence from its unwilling hands.
In chapter 3 the role of
the communists in pressing the High Command in the post-independence period for
division of India on linguistic lines is accorded its due importance.
And political developments
in Tamil Nadu, and its high language-nationality
identity form the theme of chapter 4.
Chapter 5 is devoted to
English education. Though this tongue claims a minority, its continuance as an
inter-state communication media is assumed till the opposition to Hindi, which
is to replace it, disappears. But its indispensability is at the same time recognised, since it happens to be the language of courts,
science and technology, business, trade and medium of education. In Rajaji’s view it is a “gift of Goddess Saraswati.”
Centre Vs State
relations constitute the subject matter of chapter 6. Here the picture
presented is edificatory, for the reason that the so-called states are the
recipients of the mere shell of autonomy without the substance.
It is stated that in the
key sector of finance the relationship between the Centre
and the State is compared to that of a patron wards his client. And on the
tenuous plea of breakdown in law and order position the Centre has rights to
march its forces into by state not on its bandwagon.
And linguistic
constellations are made the poaching preserves upper-state classes by selective
licensing policies.
Chapter 7 is nice
run-over of political parties and linguistic nationality issues. The Jana Sangh and the Hindu Mahasabha
register a climb-down in their ‘Akhand Bharat’ concept and fall in line. That it can only be Akhand with the incorporation of linguistic states is
accepted on all hands as a political imperative.
The replacement of Hindi
as ‘Rashtra Bhasha’ is
hoped for after the regional languages grow to their full stature. But this
conception is as chimerical as the idea that variations in economic
developments in the states vanish with the completion of democratic revolution
which is unthinkable so long as the class character of the present Government
weighed in favour of status and wealth is not
oriented to that end. But it is a proposition, solution for which cannot be
found within the ambit of democracy.
–K. SUBBA RAO
‘M’ – The Apostle and the Evangelist: By Swami Nityatmananda, Sri Ma Trust, 579, Sector 18 B, Chandigarh. Price: Rs. 12.
‘M’ (Master Mahashaya) is universally known and loved for his
incomparable Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita which
portrays the daily life and conversations of the Prophet of Dakshineshwar
in incredible detail and brings the great personality of the Paramahamsa to the common reader in a way that few books
do. (A summary of these volumes has been popular under the title Gospel of
Sri Ramakrishna, in English.) The present book is in a way a continuation
of the Kathamrita, a living commentary on it. It is a
faithful record of the days of ‘M’, after the passing of the Great Master by
his disciple Swami Nityananda. We understand it is
based upon a regular diary maintained by the author and it will run into many
volumes. The present is the first one, rendered into English from the original
in Bengali.
And it is a commendable
work. It breathes living spirituality, transports the reader into a different
world altogether where values change and one becomes conscious of the soul.
After a brief introduction giving a life-sketch of ‘M’, the author follows his
Guru in his journeys into the spirit, whether at Calcutta or elsewhere. Many
are the topics discussed and several fresh lights thrown on the personalities
of Sri Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, and Sri Saradamani
Ma. There is also a good deal of Vedanta, Gita,
Bhagavata, Bible and other scriptures. ‘M’ used to take up passages from the
Upanishads and explain them to his guests these are presented with appropriate
explanations. Altogether chapters (26 of them) make a fascinating reading.
Maybe need a little more editing and recasting in language to be placed in the
category of classics. But even as they are they have an intimate appeal to every
seeker who cherishes higher values.
–M. P. PANDIT
I am That: By Sri Nisargadatta
Maharaj. Chetana, 34
Rampart Row, Bombay-1. Price: Rs. 40-00.
Belonging to the Navanath Sampradaya, Nisargadatta Maharaj, a self-made
and self-educated person, has a candle to hold to the most modern man in the
solution of the many problems that perplex him. His mental frame is Vedantic but the content is self-experience. How was he
launched on the path that has taken him to where he is today?
“When I met my Guru, he
told me: “You are not what you take yourself to be. Find out what you are.
Watch the sense I am, find your real self.” I obeyed him because I
trusted him. I did as he told me. All my spare time I would spend looking at
myself in silence, and what a difference it made, and how soon! It took me only
three years to realise my true nature.”
And what is the way to
this realisation? Let the Maharaj speak: “Either you
live with somebody who knows the Truth and submit yourself entirely to his
guiding and moulding influence or you seek the inner
guide and follow the inner light wherever it takes you. In both cases your
personal desires and fears must be disregarded. You learn either by proximity
or by investigation, the passive or the active way.”
What is the result of
knowing this truth of oneself? Someone shoots a question: “If somebody with a
razor-sharp sword would suddenly sever your head, what difference would it make
to you?” Answer: “None whatsoever. The body will lose its bead, certain lines
of communication will be cut, that is all...It is in the nature of
consciousness to survive its vehicles.”
Innumerable topics are
raised and answered from the point of view of the Advaita Vedanta–a delightful
education, indeed.
–M. P. PANDIT
Dictionary of American Philosophy: By St. Elmo Nauman. Jr. 10 $. Dictionary of Satanism: By Wade
Baskin. 12-50 $. Philosophical Library, New York-16.
As brief and as
superficial as most of the books of this kind published by this library are,
the present Dictionary purports to give the lives and works of the great
thinkers of America from Jonathan Edwards to Einstein (about 150 of them). Some
entries are satisfying as the one on Einstein. One or two passages may be
cited. Asked why he published one unsatisfactory formulation of a unified field
theory, he replied, “To save another fool from wasting six months on the same
idea!”
“In the summer of 1930
the Indian mystic and philosopher, Rabindranath
Tagore, came to walk in the garden of his home and to talk. Tagore observed
that truth and beauty were entirely dependent upon man. Einstein asked, ‘If
there were no more human beings, then the Apollo of Belvedere would not be
beautiful any more?’ ‘No’, replied Tagore. Einstein said that might be the case
with regard to beauty but not with regard to truth, and exclaimed, ‘Then I am
more religious than you are’!”
From philosophy to Satanisrn is a rapid turn. But who is a
Satan? “The Talmud states that he was once an archangel but lost his place in
Heaven because of pride and disobedience. With the definite article in Hebrew,
the word denotes the supreme adversary of man. Also called the Prince of
Darkness, the Devil, Lucifer, and the Archfiend, he belongs to the world of the
super natural...” (It is interesting to note that in the Veda also the Asura is called the elder God: he was a God before he
deviated from the Will of the Supreme to pursue his own independent will.)
The entries generally
are amusing but not always correct, e.g, Sriyantra: The double triangle known as the
seal of Vishnu and also as Solomon’s seal.
Vasus: The eight evil deities
who attend Indra.
Wrong transliterations
add to the confusion.
–M. P. PANDIT
Temple and its Significance: By S. Viraswamy Pathar. Published by
the author, 1, Domnic Buildings, College Road,
Tiruchirapalli-2. Price: Rs. 10-00.
Indian temples have
played a prominent part in preserving and propagating Indian arts and culture.
But it is a pity that many of our Indians, even the educated are not aware of
the greatness and importance of these temples. This book, the first of its kind
in English, is almost encyclopaedic on this subject.
It gives an exhaustive exposition of the significance and symbolism of the
architecture of the temples, images of Nataraja,
Siva, Shakti, Ganesha and Subrahmanyeswara, worship of sixteen parts: both internal
and external and Kumbhabhishekam. Detailed
descriptions of ten famous centres of pilgrimage and
short notes on hundred temples in India are also informative and useful. A
fruit of great industry and research, this book, packed with useful information
unearthed from rare sources, is a must for every library, and no Indian
interested in Indian culture can ignore a serious study of this.
–SANDILYA
Encyclopaedia of Homeopathy: By B. Prasad Gupta.
Published by Beni Prasad
Gupta, C/o Homeopathic Agency, Post Box 2139, 43/D, Devnagar,
New Delhi-5. Price: Rs. 35-00.
Some people sweer by it and some curse it, but there is no denying that
Homeopathy has its own place in Modern Medicine. It is an intelligent Doctor’s therapy.
The effectiveness of Homeopathy is in direct proportion to the intelligence of
the Doctor. Materia Medica
is the ‘Vital Force’ of Homeopathy. There are Materia
Medicas and Materia Medicas. Each one of them has its own special sphere of
importance, impressed with the personality of the authors. A few are great,
having a literary flavour, like that of Dr J. T.
Kent’s Materia Medica.
The first object of a Materia Medica is to impress the
reader with the total, clear picture of the drug. Style, details given personal
experience expressed, method of arranging the topics, etc., are some of the
methods adopted by authors in their Materia Medicas.
Dr B. P. Prasad Gupta has adopted a novel method in arranging the topics, in the description of the drugs in his Materia Medica. The drug symptoms are not given in the usual way of Mind-Head to Skin method but are arranged in accordance with the degree of influence of the drug on each organ. The author has also referred at appropriate places, to the instructions of the founder of Homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann. A short lucid introduction to the Homeopathic philosophy is also included in the Encyclopaedia. There is a short repertory at the end. In the Encyclopaedia there is a chapter on Drug Relationships, a Medical Dictionary, an Index, a List of Tonics, a List of Medicines for external use and a conversion table for Temperature from Fahrenheit to Centigrade. A table of Blood Pressure to age may also be included for the benefit of the readers, besides a Pulse-Temperature Chart.
Quaint expressions like
“Heroin remedies” and personal experiences of the author with the various drugs
like “Hekla Lava” for Toothache and “Calcarea Iodata” for chronic dysentry, etc., will impress the readers with the
characteristics of those drugs. It is hoped the author will include some of the
new drugs like Steptococcin, etc., in his subsequent
editions and will review the Repertory also. The book will certainly have a
good reception from the laymen and professionals alike.
–P. SITARAMA RAO
Gurus, Godmen and Good
People: By
Khushwant Singh. Orient Longman Ltd., New Delhi-4.
Price: Rs. 40.
“Gurus, Godmen and Good People” is a collection of biographical
sketches exploring the lives and teachings and unusual powers of twelve of
India’s holy men and women and the fervent devotion they inspire, told for the
most part in the words of their own disciples. The popular editor of the
Illustrated Weekly of India Shri Khuswant Singh edits this volume.
A confirmed agnostic he is, Khushwant claims that his own interest in the Godmen was roused by his meeting with Dadaji, Neelakanta Tathaji and Baba Bootnath and the experience was traumatic. Though he has his own doubts whether the manifestations performed by these masters as evidence of their spiritual powers would ever stand the test of scientific scrutiny, he was impressed with what these Gurus, Godmen and God-women did or had to say, and the adoration they inspired in their following and what it did to many of them. People on the verge of nervous breakdown were restored to normal health; epileptics cured of heir epilepsy and so on.
The pen sketches on
Satya Sai Baba, Acharya Rajaneesh,
Anandamayee Ma, Nirankaris,
Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, Neelakanta
Tathaji, Radhasoamis, Dattabal, Swami Prabhupada and
Swami Muktanandaji–ten of the twelve are by their own
closest disciples and are naturally coloured with
high claims to the spiritual and supernatural powers of their Gurus.
The Editor himself has
chosen to write about Maharajji Balayogeswar
and about one who does not fall into the category of Gurus and Godmen, that is Mother Teresa–a study in contrast.
Describing in his own inimitable characteristic style, the two interviews he
had with the Maharajji and the Mother, the first one
in the background of royal splendour and following of
foreigners and the other in the midst of dying cries, pain and agony, the
Editor feels he could not have his thirst of “curiosity” quenched in the case
of the former while in the latter he experienced that he ran out of questions,
by simply witnessing the monumental humanitarian services, she was engaged in,
which spoke volumes in silence. The only message of cheer, Mother seems to
spread to those without hope is “There is God”.
Born in August 1910 in
Yugoslavia, she took to service at the tender age of 12 and started her first
slum home in India in 1948 with hardly Rs. 5. Today
she looks after 70 schools with 6,219 children, 258 General Dispensaries
catering to nearly 15 lakhs of people, 58 Leper Homes
taking care of 47,000 lepers; 20 houses housing 1,172 abandoned children and 28
houses for 5,000 dying destitutes, spread over 35
Indian cities and centres in other foreign countries.
Influenced by Jesus Christ and inspired by the scriptures she sees Jesus in
every human being and feels the humblest of the humblest. Her service “may be
only a drop in the ocean but if that drop was not in that ocean, the ocean will
be less because of the missing drop.”
– P. SRINIVASAN
Voice of Vallalar: By S. R. V. Arasu. The South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Publishing Society, Tinnevelly
Ltd., 1/140 Prakasam Salai,
Madras-1. Price: Rs. 3-50 (Ordinary) and Rs. 5-00 (Deluxe Edition).
At a time when the whole
atmosphere is surcharged with social commitment, that Sri S. R. V. Arasu should bring out a book “Voice of Vallalar”
correlating the essential teachings of a nineteenth century devotional poet
Chidambaram Ramalingaa to the significant changes
that have taken place in the political, religious and social attitudes of the
people, is most commendable. A poet with a universal outlook and firm social
commitment, Ramalingam made social service and reform
as part and parcel of his religion and the medium he chose was poetry in simple
style easily understandable by the lettered and the unlettered.
Author of “Thiru Arut Pa” consisting of
7,000 lyrics, he has made a massive and extensive contribution to Tamil
literature. His poem whose translation runs thus “A good country is one that is
free from extreme poverty, endemic diseases and external aggression” is a
perennial truth. Hunger is the basic cause for all human sufferings. He has
raised his clarion call to humanity and work for a new social order with a new
socialistic outlook to eliminate poverty and to evolve an egalitarian society.
His songs inspired by deep spiritual experience are rated as models for beauty
of expression, clarity of thought, intelligibility of theme, sublimity of idea,
nobility of purpose, velocity of appeal, catholicity of character and
universality of outlook.
Such inspiring books at
reasonable prices are quite welcome.
–P. SRINIVASAN
Indian Drama: Ed. H. H. Anniah
Gowda. Published by Prasaranga,
University of Mysore, Mysore. Price: Rs. 10.
This is a collection of
papers presented at a seminar on Indian drama, held in December, 1971, in the
Mysore University. Distinguished playwrights in various Indian languages and
creative writers with interest in stage and drama and scholars of English drama
came together to discuss the state of drama in modern India, both in English
and in the regional languages.
The paper by H. W.
Wells, ‘Sanskrit Plays and World Drama’, seeks to establish the distinctions of
Sanskrit classical drama by identifying the special features, followed by a
brief illustrative appreciation of some of the great Sanskrit plays. Adya Rangachary’s ‘Classical
Indian Drama and Modern Indian Theatre’ tries to define what is classical in
classical drama, and seeks to establish its relevance to the modern stage.
Dr Machwe
surveys Hindi drama and explains the peculiar problems faced by the Hindi
stage: influence of Western stage and the so-called literary style of the
“upper castes” have divorced the dramatic literature from life.
Sri Balwant
Gargi’s ‘Folk Theatre in India’, Sri Satya Dev Dubey’s ‘Contemporary Indian
Theatre’–also dealing largely with folk theatre, and Sri Saleem
Peeradina’s ‘Theatre, Audience and Language’, dealing
with language problem in the context of Indian drama, are all directly
concerned with the modern theatre and the evils besetting it. Prof. Anniah Gowda’s ‘English Plays of Bharathi Sarabhai’ (reprinted
from Banasthali Patrika)
and Dr. Rajiv Taranath’s
‘Ezekiel’s Nalini’ are two accounts of
Indo-Anglian plays by teacher-scholars.
The participants in the
seminar appear to be unwilling to keep ‘drama’ and ‘theatre’ apart: probably
this arises from the presence of practising
playwrights and theatre critics among them, resulting in some amusing, though unmeaningful, cross-talk in the discussions, as briefly
reported in the appendix. Some controversial pronouncements about the theatre
and the kind of language to be used were left undiscussed,
and some very subjective opinions about theatre, folk theatre and middle class
morality were not put to objective scrutiny.
The collection would be
interesting to a student of drama. Its importance lies more in the intellectual
activity at the seminar of which this is a belated fruit.
–DR S. KRISHNA SARMA
Epic Poetry and the Modern Mind: By A. V. Subramania
Aiyar. Published by the author, 47 Ramamoorthy
Colony, Madras- 82. Price 12-50.
This is a collection of
ten essays which deal with topics ranging from epic poetry to the future of
English in India. The author has chosen little-known mystics like Swedenberg, nearly-forgotten women like sister Nivedita, or an unknown historical novel, Clarinda, for
some of his articles. His discussion of the topics literary, philosophical, or
topical, is lucid, and his judgments balanced. The book will be particularly
useful to students of Indo-Anglian literature.
–E. NAGESWARA RAO
The Mahabharata: By Shanta Rameswar Rao. Sangam Books.
Orient Longman, Madras–2. Price: Rs. 6-00.
The author narrates the
great story that is known through the length and breadth of our land. It is a
story for all times and all occasions. There seems to be no human situation it
does not treat of. It conveys a
different message to each individual. The author presents the main events of
this great epic in condensed form. The narration is simple and fluent
suggesting the grandeur and richness of the epic in every episode. The author
deserves to be congratulated on her remarkable success at presenting the epic
in a nut-shell.
–DR C. N. SASTRY
Yuganta–The End of an Epoch:
By Iravati Karve. Sangam Books. Orient Longman, Madras -2. Price: Rs. 7-00.
The author offers
remarkable studies of the famous characters of the Mahabharata. Looked through
the eyes of the author the epic appears as a record of complex humanity and a
mirror to all the faces which we wear.” The essential human element in the
characters of Bhishma, Gandhari,
Kunti, Draupadi, Karna and others, is brought into focus in order to make us
feel one with them. The study of characters is sensitive, perceptive, critical
illuminating. Each study reads like a chapter from a modern novel. Each
character is delineated with a few deft touches highlighting the human
predicament which is of abiding interest. Caught in a web of circumstance each
character struggles to play the destined role. Over the entire fabric looms the
shadow of divinity or destiny that plays with men and women for pieces of the chequered board of nights and days. The author has
admirably succeeded in making the reader feel a sense of intimate proximity
with the characters that lived long ago and far away. It is a book which must
find a place on every shelf.
–Dr. C. N. SASTRY
Makers of Modern Theatre: By P. S. Rama Rao. Lalitha Publisners, Machilipatnam. Price: Rs. 15.
The theatre is part of
the culture of a nation. India occupies a very important place in the production
of films in the world. But it must be admitted that in the theatre arts it lags
far behind many countries. The popular tradition in our country in the field of
music, dance and drama is much more widespread than in the West.
The book under review deals
with a period similar to that of ours in the Western countries. The revival of
the arts in the West was brought about not only by the playwright but, in a
greater measure, by the artist-director. He is the one responsible person co-ordinating all the elements of the stage–story, acting,
setting, costume, lighting and make-up. It is the directors who deserve to be
called the makers of modern theatre. The author gives very detailed pictures of
the great directors from George II, Duke of Meiningen,
to Bertolt Brecht. He
vividly describes the various movements initiated by them such as Realism,
Naturalism, Symbolism, Theatricalism, Expressionism,
Constructivism and Surrealism.
The author who has done
research on the modern theatre in the Western countries, has done a very good
job in presenting the lives of a galaxy of eminent directors who were
responsible for the renaissance. Let us hope the author would continue his
pursuit in the field of drama and bring out more books on the modem theatre,
particularly of India.
–BHAVARAJU
Upadesasaramu: Bhagavan Ramana
Maharshi. Price: Rs. 2-00.
Upanishat Samucchayamu:
Part I.
Price: Rs. 5-00. Both with Telugu translation and
commentary by Pantula Lakshminarayana
Sastry, Prattipativari
Street, Vizianagaram.
Upadesasaramu, true to its name,
contains the quintessence of Bhagavan Ramana’s teachings, in thirty Sanskrit verses, each of two
lines of ten syllables each. The original slokas with
their translation into Telugu in song form, are followed by Telugu translation
of Sri Ganapatimuni’s commentary and the translator’s
own commentary, Prabha. Meditation, Pranayama, Mind and its Control, Nature of Mukti, What is “I” (aham),
Two kinds of “I” are the topics dealt with. This is a practical guide to Sadhakas. Karma, Jnana, Bhakti, Sandilya Vidya, and Dehare Vidya, etc., are also
explained. The meanings of verses 12, 14, 20, 21 and 30 form the kernel of this
book and deserve serious study. A book, in Baconian
language, to be chewed and digested.
Upanishat Samucchayamu
contains
four Upanishads–Isavasya, Niralamba,
Paingala and Adhyatma–in
original and translations thereof in Telugu verses and exhaustive commentaries
by the translator. In the Isavasya commentary, Sankara’s interpretation is mainly followed, and others’
views are also referred to. In other commentaries Brahmayogi’s
interpretations are also given wherever necessary. Forty-one philosophic
questions are answered in the Niralambopanishad. Paingala deals with the creation, Panchikarana,
Jagrat, Svapna and Sushipti states, etc. This book is very useful even to the
beginners in philosophic studies.
–B. K.
Samajamu, Sahiryamu:
By R.
S. Sudarshanam, Chittoor
District Writers’ Co-operative Society, Chittoor. A.
P. Price: Rs. 4-00.
Sri R. S. Sudarshanam examines critically the several points of
contact between society and literature. His views on revolution and literature
provoke serious thinking and help the reader to arrive at a clear understanding
of traditional values which should not be totally repudiated. His critical
assessment of the romantic movement and the progressive school of poetry
reveals the disinterested endeavour to see the truth
as it is and present it boldly. His critical story of the Telugu novels, their
heroes and themes, is highly commendable. His elaborate exposition of the
psychological novel “Chivaraku migiledi”
by Bucchi Babu deserves honourable mention because of its rare penetration and
precision. The tone of intellectual ratiocination imparts a distinctive quality
to the critical essays of Sri Sudarshanam who stands
for reason and moderation in life and literature. We find a depth which is
generally wanting in the critical studies that skim on the surface of Telugu
literature, motivated by considerations other than relentless quest for truth.
Consummate mastery of critical strategies is in evidence in the four critical
essays collected in this finely got-up volume.
Ichata veechina
gaali: By Ravuru Venkata Satyanarayana Rao. Copies
can be had from the author, “Neeladri” 3-5-1091/10, Narayanaguda, Hyderabad-29. Price: Rs.
4.
Ravuru is familiar to the
Telugu reader for over four decades as a playwright, novelist and journalist.
His essays in lighter have won him distinction as a prolific writer presenting
the lives of the middle class society.
The world Telugu
Conference held last year, is the background for this short novel. The theme,
the characters, the language and the situations all breathe a refined taste and
leave pleasant memories in mind of the reader.
–BHAVARAJU