World Lit Reviewer (Midterms) - India - PDF

**World Lit Reviewer (Midterms)**\ \ Oriental and Asian Literature\ \ **INDIA[\ \ Historical Background]** [\ ]When the **Aryans** (Caucasians (Europeans peeps) invaded **Indu Valley** (Urban Indian peeps) during 2000 B.C they speak Sanskrit and successfully relocated from the North, droving the Dra...

**World Lit Reviewer (Midterms)**\ \ Oriental and Asian Literature\ \ **INDIA[\ \ Historical Background]** [\ ]When the **Aryans** (Caucasians (Europeans peeps) invaded **Indu Valley** (Urban Indian peeps) during 2000 B.C they speak Sanskrit and successfully relocated from the North, droving the Dravidians (ethnolinguistic mostly found in India) Southward. Aryans founded small Kingdoms in North India and brought **Vedic Literature, Hinduism Religion, the caste system and the Sanskrit**.\ \ At first, the Aryans practiced a form of nature worship, praying to gods for help with natural forces like the moon, sun, storms, and fire. As their way of life evolved from simple tribal living to a more complex society, they became interested in the idea of life after death. This shift laid the groundwork for Hinduism, which is now the religion of about 85% of people in India. The remaining population includes Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Muslims, and Christians. India is known as the "World's Largest Democracy". Hindu is the Official Language, and English is used in Legal transactions. Hindu and English remain to be the official language in India.\ \ *Key point: Aryans brought Hinduism to Indu Valley when they invaded it.\ *\ **[Overview]**\  One of the most important characteristics of Hindu literary are Hindu mind and essence of spirituality, India's literary gems bring to the fore of the Vedas,\ \  The Early epics:\ \ **Mahabharata and Ramayana** -- The Indian Drama\ **Natyashastra** - Sanskrit drama\ **Shakuntala** by Kalidasa\ \  Religion and Philosophies are inseparable in India which can be seen in their literatures.\ \   **The Vedas** are scared books of ancient Sanskrit hymns with comments believed it have been revealed by Brahma (Hindu god) and became the basis of Brahmanical Caste System.\ \  Each Veda consists of Mantras (hymns), Brahmanas (Doctrinals and ceremonies) and Upanishads (commentaries on Vedic or vendetta philosophy.\ \ Rig Veda with 1000 hymns is the most literary which reflects a mortal\'s intoxication with God, and the yearning of the Individual Soul to be in union with the World Soul, being the primary aspiration of Vedic advocates.\ \ The Upanishads came from the Vedic hymns and are essential to India\'s spiritual and intellectual life. Around ten chiefs Upanishads written before Buddha. Here are some important beliefs from the Upanishads:\ \ 1. The ultimate reality is Brahman, incomprehensible and surpasses all understanding. (Omnipotent si Brahman) 2\. The Individual Soul or self within is identical with the soul without. By discovering the real self, man achieves freedom and emancipation from illusion. (Empty ka daw, kapag nadiscover mo realself mo saka ka lang magiging Malaya) 3\. The famous Trinity of Hindu Gods which maintain the rhythm of this vast universe are Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer. (3 Diyos) 4\. The development of the Soul is a continuing process broken into stages by the baptism of death. This is the belief in transmigration of the soul or reincarnation. The Soul of a good man is reborn in a person of higher status while that of an evil person is reborn into a lower form of being. After this cycle of birth and rebirths, the purified soul is finally absorbed into Brahma, thereby achieving Nirvana or perfect happiness. (Marereincarnate ka daw tapos kapag na purify ka daw ni Brahma makukuha mo daw Nirvana) 5\. The philosophy of ethics must be transcended by divine revelation or realization. Ethics are no end in themselves but simply a condition of the road upon which man must travel, to the point where he develops wings and take to the sky. (Importante daw yung Ethics pero way lang sya para makuha mo yung Divine revelation.) 6\. No one can understand things human who does not first understand things divine.(Need mo daw intindihin yung divine beings bago mo maintindihan yung humans) 7\. The Intellect fails in the conception of Truth or Reality. Only by divesting oneself of the panoply of reason does intuition become possible. Intuition does not contradict human reason but expands into hitherto unknown directions by spreading another form of emotion, the super- consciousness. Only this makes possible the flash realization which destroys all doubts and restores man to the knowledge of the truth that he himself is divine. (May limitations daw yung intellect natin so kailangan at Importante daw na sundin yung intuition to access super-consciousness)\ \ **[Hindu Poetry]**\ Poetry recitals in India are still common occurrences especially in small towns where illiteracy is still common. This preserves the ancient religious hymns and encourages creative expression. Some of the verses are chanted or sung with instrumentals keeping it modern but close to its ancient roots.\ \ Indian poetry is marked by peculiar blend of subjectivity and detachment.\ \ **[The Epics\ \ ]**An **epic** is a long and complex type of narrative poetry that tells grand stories about important characters. It often features a central hero who represents the qualities of a whole nation or race. The hero\'s adventures reflect the struggles and hopes of their people. Epics also include supernatural and religious elements, which add to their grandeur and significance.\ \ **The Indian epics**, the **Mahabharata and the Ramayana**, are notable for their great length and impressive ideas. The Mahabharata, for example, is about eight times longer than both the Iliad and the Odyssey combined. It consists of 18 books and is generally credited to Vyasa, but it has evolved over time, with its final version being longer and different from the original.\ \ An overview, however, reveals that the various legends, myths, tales, homilies, allegories without being organically or directly related to the central story, nevertheless infuse undeniable beauty and charms variety and interest to the narrative. Most significant of these additions are the inspiring Bhagavad-Gita, the delightful Saavitri episode and charming play Shakuntala. The short narratives acquired by the epic in its development amount to almost four- fifths of the entire work. Reading the epic furnishes the reader an insight into the life, Ideas, rules of conduct and religion of the people of India. In fact, and added significance of the work is its illustration of the tenets of Hinduism.\ \ Indian literature often blends philosophy and religion with literary expression. The **Mahabharata**, known as the \"fifth veda,\" emphasizes dharma, or the important duties of individuals. The **Ramayana**, attributed to Valmiki, is popular due to its engaging plot, strong characterization, and rich wisdom. While its plot is simpler than that of the Mahabharata, it still possesses a sense of grandeur and heroic action. The main characters, Rama and Sita, are depicted with depth and warmth. Rama is a noble hero, reminiscent of gallant knights, known for his courage and duty. Sita, his devoted wife, embodies gentleness and fidelity, making her truly worthy of him.\ \ Valmiki excels at both description and storytelling. He creates vivid images of palaces, gardens, hills, plains, cities, and rural life, beautifully capturing the changing seasons. His use of rich language adds charm, and the wisdom woven into the epic gives it depth and meaning. A comparison of the Indian epics is essential, as they share similarities in form and are both national epics. However, the Mahabharata is much longer and has a more complex structure. Both authors have firsthand knowledge of the events, characters, and experiences they describe. Each epic begins with court scenes that set a similar tone for the story. The exiled characters wisely seek the friendship and protection of rulers during their time away, and both narratives feature frequent battle scenes.\ \ To put it into perspective: **Mahabharata** - The Mahabharata is much longer than the Ramayana, divided into 18 books. It evolved over time, containing various stories and teachings, including the important **Bhagavad-Gita**. - It explores duty (dharma) and moral dilemmas faced by its characters, reflecting the cultural and religious life of India. - The epic features numerous characters, each representing different qualities and struggles. It highlights that virtue ultimately prevails over vice. **Ramayana** - Attributed to **Valmiki**, the Ramayana is known for its engaging plot, strong characterization, and rich descriptions of nature and society. - The hero **Rama** embodies ideal virtues, while **Sita** represents loyalty and nobility. The plot is more straightforward than that of the Mahabharata but equally powerful. - The Ramayana emphasizes the adherence to dharma, showcasing the moral ideals of its characters. **Comparison** - Both epics serve as national literature, with similarities in form and themes of heroism, duty, and moral lessons. - The Mahabharata includes more complexity and various styles, while the Ramayana is written uniformly in verse and focuses on a single heroic narrative. - Both works are considered not just literature but also sacred texts that reflect the beliefs and values of Hinduism, shaping the cultural identity of India. **[Indian Drama\ ]**Indian drama has its roots in mythology, with Brahma credited for its creation to entertain the gods. Elements of drama can be found in the ancient Vedas: the Rig-Veda contains dramatic dialogue, the Yajur Veda features songs, and the Atharva Veda includes sentiments. Dance is attributed to Shiva, and Vishnu is said to have introduced four types of drama. Additionally, the gods are believed to have created a fifth Veda for dramatic theory, which is partially preserved in the Natya Shastra, a text attributed to the sage Bharata and similar to Aristotle's *Poetics*.\ **[\ ]**The Ancient Indian drama has four basic types:**[\ \ ]**1. Nataka --- considered the highest dramatic type; it drew from the epics Mahabarata and Ramayana and the Puranas poetic tales about the gods Vishnu and Shiva.**[\ \ ]**2. Prakaranas --- these were plays about the domestic life of mortals, their virtues and their foibles. 3\. Prahsanas --- in contrast to the first two which were plays of the upper class, these were vulgar farces of the lower castes which ridiculed the upper castes**[\ ]**4. Yatra ---these originated in Eastern India and began as a form of religious entertainment, later on adopted by travelling bards who dramatized the amorous escapades of the god Krishna.\ \ **[Sanskrit Drama]**\ Sanskrit drama, an important part of classical Indian theater, is shaped by three main playwrights: **Bhasa**, **Sudraka**, and **Kalidasa**. Kalidasa is especially famous for his play **Shakuntala**, known for its beautiful poetry, humor, and playful tone. He is part of a trio of notable Sanskrit dramatists, which includes **Bhavabuti** and **Harsha**. A key idea in Indian drama is **rasa**, or \"flavor,\" which refers to the emotions that the audience experiences. Amiya Kumar Dev explains that rasa is a pleasant feeling that comes from the reader\'s emotions, creating a shared enjoyment among those familiar with the work, rather than being just a personal experience.\ \ (For more context I'll include what Amiya Kumar Dev defines Rasa)\ \ \"Rasa is viewed as pleasant sentiment belonging to the reader whose dominant emotions, derived from experiences or inherited instincts are evoked by the reading of poems into an ideal or impersonalized form of joy; an appreciation or enjoyment, consisting of a pleasant mental condition. This sentiment thus evoked is essentially universal in character, and the aesthetic pleasure resulting from it is not individual but generic and disinterested, being such as would be common to all trained readers\".\ **[Indian Theatre]**\ \ Indian theater was performed on simple platforms in royal palaces, featuring elaborate decorations but lacking realism. The actors did not strive to create a realistic setting; instead, they used a curtain to change costumes and manage sound effects. There were minimal props, like seats and thrones, though real animals were sometimes used to pull chariots. Generally, actors performed conventional movements, and while female roles were usually played by women, boys or young men often took on more physically demanding parts.\ \ **[Modern Indian Drama\ \ ]**Modern Indian drama hasn\'t created a new form to continue the old Sanskrit tradition, which is now seen as outdated. British colonization greatly influenced Indian theater by introducing well-equipped theaters in Calcutta, leading to original plays modeled after English drama. Today, the Indian People\'s Theatre Association is working to develop a uniquely Indian theater based on local folklore. Among many modern playwrights writing in various Indian languages and dialects, **Rabindranath Tagore** is the most notable, despite some younger writers pushing against his style. His works range from early verse plays in the 1880s to serious plays and light comedies about social issues, as well as colorful dance dramas later in his career. **CHINA\ \ [Historical Background]**\ \ China has one of the oldest civilizations, starting with the **Hsia Dynasty** around 1105 B.C., when they had developed government, society, philosophy, music, literature, and industries. The **Chou Dynasty** (112-256 B.C.) was a golden age for Chinese philosophy, featuring important thinkers like **Lao Tzu**, **Mencius**, and **Confucius**. The first emperor, **Shih Huang Ti**, built the Great Wall in 207 B.C. to protect Chinese culture. The **Han Dynasty** is seen as a key period for literature and history, and people called themselves the \"Sons of Han.\" Later, the **Tang Dynasty**, founded by **Li Yuan**, brought a new era of greatness and famous poets like **Tu Fu** and **Li Po**. Chinese literature includes many forms such as historical texts, philosophical works, stories, letters, and poetry. The **Shin Ching** or **Book of Odes**, attributed to Confucius, is an important collection of ancient poems. The **Five Classics** and the **Four Books** are central to Confucianism, which emphasizes that society is based on both social and spiritual values. The bible of Confucianism consists of the Five Classics\' and the Four Books. The Five Classics include:\ \ 1. The book of Changes; 2. The Book of History (2400-619); 3. The Book of Poetry (Three hundred poems of the Chou Period); 4. The Book of Rites; and 5. The Spring and Autumn Annals, (a history of the state of Lu).\ \ The Four (4) Books were selections from classical literature:\ \ 1. Analects or dialogues of Confucius with his disciples; 2. The Book of Mencius, saying of the sages; 3. The Great Learning, Confucian ethics; 4. Doctrine of the Mean. **JAPAN**\ \ **[Japan Literature]**\ \ Japanese people share ancestral ties with Koreans, Malays, and Chinese, with roots in Mongolian heritage. The iconic **Mt. Fuji** symbolizes Japan\'s deep love of nature. Key historical texts include the **Kojiki** (\"Record of Ancient Matters\") and the **Nihon Shoki**, which provide accurate historical accounts of Japan after 400 A.D. These works also highlight Japan\'s rich mythology before significant Chinese influences shaped its arts, letters, and philosophy. In the eighth century, the ancient city of **Nara** became Japan\'s first permanent capital, showcasing the impact of Chinese culture. Despite these influences, Japan has developed a unique culture, contributing several significant ideas and practices to world civilization, including: 1. **Kana alphabet** 2. **Bushido** (code of chivalry) 3. **Shinto religion** 4. **Kimono** (traditional clothing) 5. **Japanese gardens** 6. **Ikebana** (flower arrangement) 7. **Ceramics** 8. **Cha-no-yu** (tea ceremony) 9. **Zen meditation** (on zabuton cushions) 10. Various sports like **judo**, **kendo**, and **sumo**. Literary forms also flourished, such as **Tanka** (31-syllable poems), **Haiku** (17-syllable poems), **Noh** (lyrical plays), and **Kabuki** (classical plays). The **Manyoshu**, a collection of poems from the Nara period, and the **Kokinshiu** (Ancient and Modern Poems) from the Kyoto era are notable literary works. The latter period produced **Lady Murasaki Shikibu**, author of the renowned **Genji Monogatari**. Japanese poetry is largely lyrical, expressing emotions such as nostalgia, love, loss, and the beauty of nature. Common themes include yearning for home, elegies for the dead, and reflections on nature\'s fleeting moments, while themes of war and chaos are notably absent.\ \ **[The Haiku]**\ \ The **Haiku** evolved from the earlier form **haiki**, introduced in the 15th century, meaning \"light-hearted\" or \"free verse,\" which laid the groundwork for this refined poetic form.\ \ During the Samurai Period in the 17th century, **Matsuo Basho** (1643-1694) refined the haiku, evolving it from the earlier form known as **haiki**, which used everyday language. A haiku is a short, 17-syllable poem that aims to express emotions and evoke feelings. It is shorter than a **tanka**, which has five lines. Haikus follow a 5-7-5 syllable pattern across three lines and capture moments of emotion or impression. They can range from serious to playful and can express various themes, including nature, humor, and spirituality. Haikus are linked to Zen meditation and Buddhism, focusing on nature and humanity\'s connection to it. The haiku encourages keen observation of nature, highlighting both its beauty and abnormalities. It fosters deep concentration, enhances emotions, and sparks ideas. Haiku masters use vivid, sensory language to create moods and inspire thoughts. The goal of haiku writing is to convey awareness of the senses through nature, with imagery that evokes specific seasons, like falling leaves for autumn or a crow on a snowy branch for winter. Basho\'s haiku style is influential, often featuring vivid imagery in the first line, an action in the second, and a reaction or sound in the third, completing the overall picture.\ \ **[Japanese Dramaturgy]**\ \ Uzume\'s dance to lure the Sun Goddess is the first recorded dramatic performance, seen in the **Kagura** dances. This mix of dance and storytelling evolved into **Dengaku**, linked to farming festivals and influenced by dances from Korea and China. The combination of **Dengaku** and **Sarugaku** (dance drama) led to **Noh drama** in the 12th to 14th centuries. **Noh** features traditional costumes and old-style dialogue. A Buddhist priest named **Kwanami** gathered different dramatic forms to express Buddhist ideas and introduced **monomane**, where actors impersonate characters while reciting. His son further developed Noh and wrote a guide that classified plays into five types: god plays, warrior-ghost plays, women\'s plays, insanity plays, and demon plays. In Noh, husbands often perform, believing it helps ease their wives\' labor pains. Noh plays depict time and space in unique ways, suggesting changes in seasons or journeys with little movement. Performers stay silent for hours before a show to concentrate. Modern Noh plays, like those by **Yukio Mishima**, keep traditional elements while exploring new themes. **Kabuki** started in Kyoto in the 17th century as a popular theater form, different from the elite-focused Noh. It evolved from public recitations and includes dramatized stories performed by individual actors with music. Modern Kabuki is known for its exaggerated movements, stylized acting, and elaborate scenery, and is performed only by men.\ \ PHILIPPINES\ \ **[Filipino Epics\ ]**\ Filipinos have two important surviving epics: **Biag ni Lam-ang** (Life of Lam-ang), an Ilocano epic, and **Indarapatra at Sulayman**, a Maranao epic. The original version of **Biag ni Lam-ang** is lost, but it exists in several later versions with around 300 stanzas. The epic was first written by **Pedro Bukaneg**, the Father of Ilocano Poetry, in both Ilocano and Spanish, influencing later adaptations by other authors. **Indarapatra at Sulayman** depicts the Maranaos\' struggles to protect their land from invaders, symbolized by monsters that wreak havoc in Mindanao. Both epics feature supernatural heroes with extraordinary powers, a common trait in epics. For example, Emperor Indarapatra wields a magical spear that can fly back to him, and in both stories, the heroes\' bones are revived with divine help. **[What Biag ni Lam-ang is about:]**\ \ Lam-ang is said to have been born with the ability to speak and walk immediately. His father, a brave warrior, goes on a journey and does not return, prompting Lam-ang to seek vengeance. Lam-ang possesses various magical abilities, including strength and the power to communicate with animals. He also has a magical spear that aids him in battles. The epic recounts Lam-ang\'s quests, including his encounters with various monsters and challenges, as well as his journey to win the love of his wife, Ines Kannoyan. The story reflects Ilocano values and beliefs, preserving elements of pre-colonial Filipino culture. It has been passed down through generations, though the original text has been lost and exists only in various adaptations. **[Hudhod ni Aliguyon\ ]**\ **Hudhod ni Aliguyon** is a traditional epic from the Ifugao people in the Philippines, particularly from the Cordillera region. This epic is part of the Hudhod tradition, which consists of chants performed during special occasions such as weddings and funerals.\ \ The story centers around Aliguyon, a brave and skilled warrior from the village of Hinalang. He is known for his prowess in battle and his strong sense of justice. The epic begins with a rivalry between Aliguyon and his enemy, Pumbakhayon, from the neighboring village of Daligdigan. Their conflict is rooted in tribal feuds, showcasing themes of honor and bravery. Aliguyon embarks on various adventures, including challenges to prove his strength and skill. Throughout his journey, he engages in battles, seeks peace, and builds alliances.\ \ **Hudhod ni Aliguyon** is an essential part of Ifugao oral literature, reflecting their traditions, values, and social structure. It serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the Ifugao people.