The rich tradition of Avadhī poetry, which has evolved since the end of the XIV century, is best represented, on the one hand, by the love poems (premākhyān) composed by Sūfī authors, and on the other by the celebrated Tul’sī’s Rāmāyana, or Rām’carit’mānas. Though showing common trends and traits, both from the literary point of view and with regard to the spiritual values they promote, Sūfī works and Tul’sī’s poem differ considerably in their depiction of nature. The present paper, after an overall description of the theme of journeying in nature in a few selected cultural contexts, analyzes a few passages both from Jāyasī’s Padmāvat and from Rām’carit’mānas, putting in a historical perspective the divergences which emerge from the comparison. It argues, in particular, that the «topographical» itineraries through natural locations presented in Padmāvat are inspired by the eminently urban culture that was elaborated in Avadh in Indo-Islamic centers of power, such as Jaunpur, while the natural scenario within which «Rām’s progress» is set, and the kind of relationships that are established with the local tribes, seem to show that Tul’sī was mainly interested in disseminating Hindu forms of devotion amongst non-urban peoples. As a consequence of this polarization, a rural-urban opposition began to develop, which still characterizes aspects of mainstream cultures in contemporary India.

Journeys through nature in Jāyasī and Tul’sī: hints of an urban-rural divide? / Milanetti, Giorgio. - In: RIVISTA DEGLI STUDI ORIENTALI. - ISSN 0392-4866. - STAMPA. - LXXXVIII:(2015), pp. 149-163.

Journeys through nature in Jāyasī and Tul’sī: hints of an urban-rural divide?

MILANETTI, Giorgio
2015

Abstract

The rich tradition of Avadhī poetry, which has evolved since the end of the XIV century, is best represented, on the one hand, by the love poems (premākhyān) composed by Sūfī authors, and on the other by the celebrated Tul’sī’s Rāmāyana, or Rām’carit’mānas. Though showing common trends and traits, both from the literary point of view and with regard to the spiritual values they promote, Sūfī works and Tul’sī’s poem differ considerably in their depiction of nature. The present paper, after an overall description of the theme of journeying in nature in a few selected cultural contexts, analyzes a few passages both from Jāyasī’s Padmāvat and from Rām’carit’mānas, putting in a historical perspective the divergences which emerge from the comparison. It argues, in particular, that the «topographical» itineraries through natural locations presented in Padmāvat are inspired by the eminently urban culture that was elaborated in Avadh in Indo-Islamic centers of power, such as Jaunpur, while the natural scenario within which «Rām’s progress» is set, and the kind of relationships that are established with the local tribes, seem to show that Tul’sī was mainly interested in disseminating Hindu forms of devotion amongst non-urban peoples. As a consequence of this polarization, a rural-urban opposition began to develop, which still characterizes aspects of mainstream cultures in contemporary India.
2015
Early-modern India; Avadhi language; Jāyasī, Padmāvat; Tul’sī Dās; Rām’carit’mānas
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Journeys through nature in Jāyasī and Tul’sī: hints of an urban-rural divide? / Milanetti, Giorgio. - In: RIVISTA DEGLI STUDI ORIENTALI. - ISSN 0392-4866. - STAMPA. - LXXXVIII:(2015), pp. 149-163.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/875267
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