1. DHVANI AND ALAMKARA
Prepared by: Vibhuti V. Bhatt
M.A.-1,Sem:2
Roll no:15
MKBU,Bhavnagar
DEPT. OF ENGLISH 4/1/2013 1

2. ALAMKARA (FIGURES OF SPEECH)
• Devices for achieving aesthetic form in respect of
sound as well as sense, by turn of expression as well
as poetic conceits.
• Arthalamkara – includes alamkaras based on sense
or thought
• Shabdalamkara – includes alamkaras based on
sound patterns
DEPT. OF ENGLISH 4/1/2013 2

3. WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT ‘GUNAS’ OR
‘ALAMKARA’?
• ‘Gunas’ (Quality) – more intrinsic to poetry – intimately
bound up with rasas
• ‘Alamkaras’ – external ornaments
• Alamkaras – extremely desirable – so long as they
appear as spontaneous outflow of a creative genious,
mixed with rasa
• They become sources of disgust when indulged in
excess because their artificiality is obvious then, and
they mar rasa.
DEPT. OF ENGLISH 4/1/2013 3

4. DHVANI
• Kavyasya Aatma Dhvani - Anandavardhana
• The sole meaning intended by the poet at one hand
and realized by the man of taste at the other
• Regarded as the very soul or vital essence that gives
life to all the other aspects of literary beauty – be it
guna, riti, alamkara, vrtti.
DEPT. OF ENGLISH 4/1/2013 4

5. ANANDAVARDHANA – DHVANYALOKA
Dhvani
1. Sabda (Sound Structure of the word)
2. Vyanjaka (The Semantic Aspect of Sabda)
3. Tatparya (The revealed or suggested meaning as
such and the process of suggestion involved)
4. Third Meaning - Anandvardhana’s contribution –
Besides Literal Meaning, socio-cultural meaning
dependent on the context and emotions
DEPT. OF ENGLISH 4/1/2013 5

6. RASADHVANI
• Dhvani – means or method to achieve the Rasa
• Dhvani – both simplified and strengthened the
Rasa theory
• The two together forms a powerful explanatory
framework
• Enriched the Indian system of interpretation of
texts (Artha Nirdharana)
DEPT. OF ENGLISH 4/1/2013 6

7. DEPT. OF ENGLISH 4/1/2013 7