Satirical works of Kshemendra (study)
by Arpana Devi | 2017 | 60,954 words
This page relates ‘Prominent Satirical Works in Assamese Literature’ part of the study on the Satirical works of Kshemendra: an 11th century poet from Kashmir, who composed three satirical works. Kshemendra himself says that in composing the satirical works his only motive is to reform the mindset of the people.—He exposes all the vices and follies prevailing in the society with the intention to reform it.
9. Prominent Satirical Works in Assamese Literature
In Assamese literature, satire as a distinct genre emerged in the nineteenth century under the influence of the English satirical literature.[1] Except the writers of English literature, a few authors of other Indian Languages is involved in composing satirical works. Again among these works, in most of the works satire is incidental. In Assamese literature, first of all the renowned author Hemchandra Barua (1835-1896) used satire as the principal medium of his expression. He is known as the ‘father of Assamese satire’. Actually, Assamese satire properly developed in the hand of Hemchandra Barua. According to Dr. Satyendra Nath Sarma, from Hemchandra Barua and Gunabhiram Barua (1837-1894), satirical element is met with in the Assamese literature. Before them, in Assamese literature, there are not many writings that can be assigned to the genre of satire.
Among the medieval Assamese literature, however, satirical elements are observed on and off in the compositions of Sankardeva. In the Harischandra Upākhyāna of Sankardeva, in portraying the priestly class, satiric tendency is observed. In the work, greedy priests are depicted in a humorous way. In the Kathāgurucarita also satirical comments are observed. The work gives a pen-picture of the religious preachers of 16th and 17th century.
Here follows a discussion on some prominent satirical works of Assamese literature:
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature, Vol.IV, p.3839