KANNADA
Writings on popular science
V. GOPALAKRISHNA
VIGNANA SURYA: A.O. Avalamurthy; Chethana Book House, Renukacharya Temple Street, Mysore-570024. Rs. 200.
THIS BOOK is a comprehensive survey and study of the writings on popular science. The author traces this class of literature to several ancient works. These literary compositions include subjects like astrology, cookery, elephant-lore, erotica, mathematics and medicine. The author highlights various literary styles adapted to make the subject interesting.
The argument that this category of literature not only provides information but gives aesthetic pleasure to the readers is convincing in the light of the illustrations given by the author.
A long gap with no significant work of this kind up to the beginning of 20th century is observed. Later a variety of writings on the subject written with the sole intention of popularising science subjects and many more in forms like travelogues, biographies and ecological studies appeared.
The modern works both in the form of prose and poetry are analysed here on a comparative perspective.
This book is the author’s debut in presenting a wealth of information.
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