TELUGU
Ambassadors in classical literature
DOOTYA SAAHITYAM: Vallivedu Vidyalatha; 97/3, Velachery Road, Guindy, Chennai-600032.
Distributed by Visalandhra Publishing House, 4-1-435, Bank Street, Hyderabad-500001. Rs. 200.
THIS BOOK deals with the theme of role of ambassadors as expounded in around 60 classics published between 15th and 20th Centuries. This treatise excels both in breadth and depth.
In the Mahabharatha (the trio of Nannaya, Tikkana and Errana) while the omniscient Krishna mediates between the Pandavas and the Kauravas as a last resort for avoiding the war, Bhishma goes as a self-appointed messenger (swayamduta) to Dasaraja seeking his daughter Matsyagandhi's hand for his father Santanu. In Bhaskara's Ramayana, Hanuman searching for Sita in Lanka is a three-in-one mission between Rama, Sita and Ravana.
In Kumarasambhava (Nannechoda) the seven sages (Saptarshis) request Himavan to offer his daughter Parvathi to Lord Siva, whose background is known to none except the saints. The role of divine swan (swan) in bringing together Nala and Damayanti in Sringara Naishadha (Srinada) and that of the Brahmin priest in carrying Rukmini's message to Krishna in Potana's Bhagavata are well known.
In Jashuva's Gabbilam (bat) a Dalit sends a bat as a messenger to Siva conveying his decision to perform abhishekam with his tears. All the books discussed abound with similar themes.
Going back to basics, the author discusses the figures of speech, sentiment and style. The book has fitting tributes by D. Chinnikrishniah and S. Akkireddy. The cover design with a bird messenger is elegant. The author deserves praise for her painstaking research in producing the volume.
P. V. L. N. RAO
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Book Review
