Devi Aswadhati in Telugu

M.A., NAPhiL, Ph.D.

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This book

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TIRUMALATIRUPATHI DEVASTHANAMS under theJOliem^AiiliQPii.bUstLBeIiaious Books

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1998 75O

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DONEPUDI YENKAVYA Poet

11-2-22, Colony

& Critic

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THE WORSHIP OF BEAUTY This skrit

is

a creative and

critical

commentary on the

beautiful

San-

hymn to KALI, The Universal

Mother, written by Kalidasa, the greata select metre Aswa - dhati, named after

est of the Sanskrit poets in the brisk pace of a horse at a gallop.

The hyrnn is a scintillating work a bewildering yet beautiful variety of word pictures, interlaced with the symbols of mythological characters and unknown, unfamiliar and startlingly new images that come one over the other like a cascade. In this hymn we catch a glimpse of the beauty of the Universal Mother, the attractive qualities of Her Head and Heart, the grace and grandeur of Her movements, the charm of Her physical appearance all combined in a perfect harmony. We get spontaneously and completely absorbed in and identified with that Universal Beauty, the beauty of Brahbristling with

man, the divine beauty in its full manifestation. In presenting and interpreting the contents of this marvellously beautiful work of Kalidasa, Dr. Mellachervu Bhanu Prasada Rao, a well-informed scholar of conspicuous ability, has produced a masterpiece in literary criticism, a brilliant work of critical understanding. With his vast erudition and dazzling skill and with the sweep and depth of his consummate scholarship coupled with a rare insight, Dr. Bhanu Prasada Rao could successfully unearth the hidden meanings of many a mindboggling metaphors of Kalidasa and could thus kindle the flame of poetry in capsules. Mr. Bhanu's keen sense of research is evident through out the book which is thought-provoking, being an original attempt at a re-interpretation of the poem in a new light. The commentary is exquisite and exhaustive. The style is irresistible and vibrating. The text together with the commentary shakes, jolts and moves the reader to the core of his heart and makes him sing and incites him to dance with joy. It is a real treat for the reader who wants to become aesthetically and socially aware as a poet. Dr. Bhand has already become popular with his fascinating thePotana Bhagavatarn - Sringaram and now this charming comsjs,

mentary, "Devi Aswadhati,"

is

quite another feather in his cap.

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