Seminar : Indian Literature [ LGLOR2941 ]

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None, but a knowledge of the general framework of ancient Indian literature is useful (acquired by obligatory reading of a basic work and an anthology).

The seminar might treat any of the literature of classical India, that is to say principally that written in Sanskrit, but also that in the middle Indo-Aryan and in the Dravidian languages, according to successive epochs and/or different genres.

At the end of this seminar, the student will be able of finding his way in the different sectors of ancient Indian literature, notably Sanskrit, and of producing a written synthesis on a chosen theme.

The final marks are based on an evaluation of a written piece of work ans its oral presentation during the exam.

The seminar will be introduced by one or two seances given by the teacher, who will introduce the chosen theme. Afterwards, each of the students will give one séance on the basis of their written work.

By the means of a theme, selected and introduced by the lecturer, the objective of the seminar is that the student should show, when working alone, on the basis of a written work, his capacity to find his way in the different sectors of ancient Indian  literature, notably in Sanskrit, and to select the texts relevant to the subject, to introduce them in a philologically rigorous and historically correct fashion, and to synthesise in a critical manner the state of research attached to the subject.

The seminar might treat any of the literature of classical India , that is to say principally that in Sanskrit, but also that in middle Indo-Aryan (Pali, Prakrits) and in the Dravidian languages (ancient Tamill Malayam), according to successive epochs and/or different genres: Vedic texts (Veda-Samhitas, Brahmanas, Upanishads, Vedangas; Buddhist and Jaina, canonic and para-canonic literature; epics (Mahabharata and Ramayana), puranas, treatises of the Dharma and other Hindu religious texts; philosophical  (darcanas etc.) and scientific literature; Artha and Kamacastras, grammar and poetry; belles lettres or Kavya, lyrical , dramatical and narrative.

Obligatory reading:

- L. Renou, Les littératures de l'Inde (Que sais-je ? 503), Paris, 1966²;
- L. Renou, Anthologie sanskrite. Textes de l'Inde ancienne traduits du sanskrit, Paris, 1947.

Complementary reading:
- M. Winternitz, Geschichte der indischen Litteratur, 3 vols., Leipzig, 1908-1922 ; cf. english revised transl.: A History of Indian Literature, 3 vols., Delhi, 1981-1985.
- J. Gonda dir., A History of Indian Literature, Wiesbaden, 10 vols., 1973-
- P.-S. Filliozat dir., Dictionnaire des littératures de l'Inde, Paris, 2001²

The teachers will meet with the students at the beginning of the year, to fix the timetable.