padya vidya - The art of writing poems - part 1 - Introduction

Ramabhadra Dokka (sdokka@st6000.sct.edu)
Wed, 23 Oct 1996 14:11:01 -0400 (EDT) 

		padya vidya -- The art of writing poems 
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					- SrI viSwanAtha acyuta dEvarAyalu

			part 1 -- Introduction
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"padya vidya" is about writing poems. This art of writing poems comprises
two parts namely, "know-how of  phrasing/framing poems from words" and the 
"knowledge of creating the right poem in a kAvyam or khanDa kAvyam, judging
its suitability to the situation". Much can be learned about poems by 
observing the pieces, from the great poets of yore and also by reading the
alankAra SAstra. A good place to start is to concentrate on the first part
and knowing the Candassu, a major step in padya racana and analysis. 

An idea that originated inside can be expressed in a couple of forms.
'vacanamu'(prose) has its roots in the word 'vAkku'(mATa) and the 
alternative 'padyamu'(poem) has its roots in 'padamu'. Expressing 'BAva'
with the help of words (mATalu) combined 'at will' to form some meaningful 
sentences could be categorized into vacanamu/prose where as giving them
a proper shape and fitting them in a special frame is visualized as 
'padya racana'. Why should one choose the later when the former sounds
more simple and easy to follow ?? Let's answer this and similar questions --

1. 'vacanamu' is for expressing the BAvam in -as is where is- condition but
   poetry enhances the beauty of the BAva and also makes it more artistic
   by adding the elements of andamu and camatkAramu. 
 
	"palikeDidi BAgavatamaTa,
	 palikinceDu vADu rAmaBadrunDaTa, nE
	 palikina BavaharamagunaTa,
	 palikeda vEronDu gAtha palukaga nElA ??"

   This first poem of BAgavatamu from pOtana has touched the hearts of almost 
   every telugu person. Had it been expressed in simple vacanamu like --
   "yEmunnadi --rAmaBadruDu vrAyamani nADu, mOkshArthamu nEnu vrAyu cunnAnu"
   would also have delivered the message but by giving the shape of a poem,
   pOtana made it stay in the hearts of the readers for generations.

   Simply put, "prose is for expressing things in general but poetry is an 
   effective tool for expressing the same"

2. It is not easy to remember the prose/vacanamu as it is but if put in the
   form of poetry, it can be archived in the hearts of the readers for 
   generations.

   Does anyone forget the child-hood recollections of these Sataka padyAlu

	"akkaraku rAni cuTTamu,
	 mrokkina varamIni vElpu, mOharamuna tA
	 nekkina bArani gurramu,
	 grakkuna viDuvanga valayu kadarA sumatI !!"

   This kandam from the sumatI Satakam is engraved in the minds of its readers
   for life and there may not be a single day when one has to struggle hard in
   recollecting this piece in citing an example or alluding to something in
   daily chores.
 
3. Rendering a padyam has almost always a rAga/tune associated with it 
   irrespective of whether the person who is rendering it knows a lot of music 
   or otherwise. This rAga is closer to the manassu/mind and so is POEM.

   So, there is a natural inclination inside towards the poem than prose.

4. Since poem can be memorized effortlessly, it can be preserved for eons.
   On the other hand, Prose, even when printed on highest quality paper
   could decay in years. Poems make their way from person to person
   among generations just by rendition and their tendency to attract the 
   hearts and sit in there permanently. 

   Where are these vEmana padyamulu and other such poems preserved ?? Neither 
   on paper waiting for prints/reprints at the mercy of a publisher nor they 
   are engraved on copper plates or encarved on stones.. The real permanent 
   storage medium for these poems is in the reader's heart.  
   
( We'll continue with this discussion in the next part talking about cATuvulu
  and the history of origination of such poems... )  

P.S. : The original was written in telugu and I just translated it into English
       to improve the readability in this forum. In my para-phrasing, I tried 
       not to deviate from the subject and not to throw in my own stuff in the 
       name of 'EDITORIAL COMMENTS' or something like that, but I'd happily:( 
       take the credit for my mis-spells and mistakes. You can send in your 
       comments/questions/suggestions/criticism to -- sdokka@st6000.sct.edu
       regards... - Ram(abhadra) Dokka