ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the universal applicability of the theory of rasa. The case is built by citing numerous examples of theoretical overlap in Western and Eastern literary theory. Similarities are pointed out between rasa and the postmodern ‘Reader Response’ theory, Sādhāranīkaraṇa and ‘universalisation’, dhvani and ‘suggestion’ and also vibhāvas, anubhāvas and ‘objective correlatives’. Indian poetic theories including alaṇkāra (embellishment), rīti (style), vakṛokti (indirect expression), dhvani (suggested meaning) and aucitya (propriety) that are closely linked to rasa (aesthetic emotion) are explicated. Numerous examples are listed of successful analysis of Western texts – including the plays of Shakespeare – using the tenets of Indian poetics ascertaining the universal applicability of the theory. This chapter also includes a detailed description of the concept of tragedy in the Indian theoretical corpus. The religious, social and cultural milieu of the Indian subcontinent that nurtured a unique expression of tragedy is elucidated. The absence of tragedy in accordance with the Western theoretical canon is highlighted. This view was altered with the introduction of Western works mainly the plays of Shakespeare. Indians who were exposed to Western philosophy and ideologies altered their perspective of life and literature.
