Shringar: The Ras Raj

Shringar is a cosmic order. The cycle of seasons set in the process of destruction and rejuvenation. After a deep slumber nature suddenly vibrates and there is a phenomenal change in the flora, mushrooming of flowers and leaves of various hues with multitudinous variety in size and pattern. There is joy and delight everywhere. For the roop shringar there is a natural desire of a woman since the onset of the civilization. The author traces the theory and conceptualization of rooplavanya through the vast available literature and has tried to compress the essential features. In the realm of poetry shringar – the amorous feeling is regarded as rasraj among the rasas or poetic the genesis and evolution of theory of shringar and has given copious illustrations from Sanskrit classics. There is a visible impact of our ancient literature on the subsequent art and literature, sculpture and painting related to shringar. We also find a unique blending of music and painting in regmala and barahmasa folios of the painters of various schools. The author has put the impact of the ancient literature in proper perspective as this is not properly recognized or appreciated. There is a popular belief that there is too much of body in Sanskrit poetry on shringar. While this impression is partially true the author argues that this is a lopsided view. The shringar poetry is not a flesh school of poetry but is in many respects excelling in the delineation of nature and flight of imagination. It is a unique effort of bringing under the umbrella of shringar ras the poetry, the music, sculpture and painting, a rare mix of scholarship and popular writing.