The document discusses the Theory of Dhvani proposed by Sanskrit critic Anandvardhan. Dhvani refers to suggestive meaning in poetry where the literal meaning of words takes a subordinate position to suggest deeper ideas, figures of speech, or emotions. Anandvardhan categorized poetry into three types based on dhvani - Uttama uses extensive dhvani, Madhyama uses moderate dhvani, and Adham uses little dhvani. Dhvani can be of three types - Alankara Dhvani relates to figures of speech, Rasa Dhvani relates to emotions, and Vastu Dhvani relates to the subject matter. Anandvardhan believed

1. Theory of Dhvani ByTheory of Dhvani By
AnandvardhanAnandvardhan
Name- Matangi. G. BhattName- Matangi. G. Bhatt
Roll noRoll no--1717
Class- M.A sem 2Class- M.A sem 2
Paper- 7, Literary Theory and CriticismPaper- 7, Literary Theory and Criticism
Topic- Theory of Dhvani By AnandvardhanTopic- Theory of Dhvani By Anandvardhan
Batch- 2016/17Batch- 2016/17
Enrolment no- 2069108420170003Enrolment no- 2069108420170003
Collage- smt S. B. Gardi Department of EnglishCollage- smt S. B. Gardi Department of English
E-mail: matangi.bhatt25@gmailcomE-mail: matangi.bhatt25@gmailcom

2. IntroductionIntroduction
Anandvardhan is famous Sanskrit critic whoAnandvardhan is famous Sanskrit critic who
has used the term ‘Dhvani’ in his Theory. Thehas used the term ‘Dhvani’ in his Theory. The
primary text which deals with Dhvani isprimary text which deals with Dhvani is
‘Dhvanyaloka‘Dhvanyaloka’ of Anandvardhan. His’ of Anandvardhan. His
presumed to have lived in the 9presumed to have lived in the 9thth
century A.D.century A.D.
In the very first verse of Dhvanyaloka it isIn the very first verse of Dhvanyaloka it is
mentioned that Dhvani Or Suggestion is thementioned that Dhvani Or Suggestion is the
‘‘Soul of Poetry’.Soul of Poetry’. He believed that the DhvaniHe believed that the Dhvani
is applied to suggestive poetry. Dhvaniis applied to suggestive poetry. Dhvani
suggest verbal meaning hidden meaning.suggest verbal meaning hidden meaning.

3. Definition of DhvaniDefinition of Dhvani
““ Dhvani means such a poetry inDhvani means such a poetry in
which the words and their literalwhich the words and their literal
meanings occupy a subordinatemeanings occupy a subordinate
position and suggest someposition and suggest some
charming sense( an idea, a figure ofcharming sense( an idea, a figure of
speech, or an emotion) is calledspeech, or an emotion) is called
Dhvani.”Dhvani.”

4. Three kind of KavyaThree kind of Kavya
 Uttama or Dhvani KavyaUttama or Dhvani Kavya
 Madhyama or GunibhutavyangyaMadhyama or Gunibhutavyangya
KavyaKavya
 Adham or Avar KavyaAdham or Avar Kavya

5. Three Fold
Function
Abhidha
( denotation)
Lakshana
(Indication)
Vyanjana
(Suggestion)

6. Divided into Three verietisDivided into Three verietis
Alankara
Dhvani
Rasa
Dhvani
Vastu-Dhvani

7. ConclusionConclusion
At last we can say that, According toAt last we can say that, According to
‘Dhvanyaloka’ Rasa-Dhvani kavya is‘Dhvanyaloka’ Rasa-Dhvani kavya is
considered to be beyond excellenceconsidered to be beyond excellence
poetry. This is a best theory given bypoetry. This is a best theory given by
Anandvardhan in literature. So manyAnandvardhan in literature. So many
critics also criticized this theory. At last,critics also criticized this theory. At last,
“The emotion can not be expressed“The emotion can not be expressed
directly by words, but it can bedirectly by words, but it can be
suggestive.”suggestive.”