Patralekha: Romance of Letter in Indian Art Literature

The monograph surveys the origin, growth and development of the art of letter writing in India from the sixth century B.C. to the eighteenth century A.D. based mainly on literature, canonical texts, epigraphic records, sculptures and paintings which breaks a new ground in the field of Indological studies, being a pioneering work on the subject. A well-written, throughly documented and judiciously balanced work epistolary art, the book contains the love letters of classical heroes and heroines, Gods and Goddesses including the earliest love letter in India recorded on a rock inscription, besides the royal letters and correspondence as gleaned from dramatic literature, prose romance and poetical works. Texts of long personal letters of the Buddhist gurus to their disciples and friends and annual confession letters by the community to the Jain munis have also been elaborately dealt with. The techniques of letter writing in different ages of Indian history has been discussed with reference to various canonical texts. The socio-economic situation relevant to the subject has been amply covered indicating daily wages of the peons and messengers and the history of postal system before the introduction of modern communication management. The book is adorned with a good number of rare and unpublished illustrations of sculptures and paintings related with epistolary art.