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Satirical works of Kshemendra (study)

by Arpana Devi | 2017 | 60,954 words

This page relates ‘The Singer (gayana)� 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.

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ṣeԻ has also uttered so many caustic words against the professional singers for their viciousness. For him, the singers are real thieves who rob people silently without making any sounds of regret.

ṣeԻ says that the singer is too much cunning. He with his soft-throated singing easily passes away the money, which is the most important to live happily in this world.[1] According to the author, the singer loots people in front of one’s face. He bitterly says that if someone drops in water a grain of barley and the fish eats it then that person earns some merit but if someone offers even one crore to a fraud singer it becomes meaningless.[2] The author says that the wicked singer not only exposes his teeth while singing but also laughs at the audience after robbing them of their money.[3] The greedy singer very cleverly earns laces of money within a moment singing untuned and incorrect musical notes but when departing he says sadly,‘what has given by the whore’s son?�[4] The author condemns such singer who is never satisfied with what he has earned. He compares the fraud singer with a hunter, who by means of cunningly crafted songs deceives simple minded deer i.e his audience.[5]

ṣeԻ observes that the fraud singer is not only loots people but also is involved in some anti-social activities. The singer is addicted to gambling. In the morning he goes out decorating himself with ornaments but at noon, returns naked.[6]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

artho janānā� jīvitamakhilakriyākalāpasya/
tamapi harantyatiū� ślakṣṇagalā gāyanā loke// ,VII.1

[2]:

jalapatite saktukaṇe matsyairbhukte’sti kāpi dharmāpti�/
ⲹԲ岹ٳ 貹� dzپṣv辱 پ phalaleśa�// ibid.,VII.8

[3]:

naitat prakaṭitadaśanā gāyanaū� sadaiva gāyanti/
ete gatānugatikān hasanti ū gṛhītārthān// ibid.,VII.10

[4]:

naṣṭasvarapadagītai� kṣaṇena lakṣāṇi gāyano labdhvā/
dāsyā� sutena datta� kimiti vadan duḥkhito پ// ibid.,VII.13

[5]:

stutivāgurānibaddhairvacanaśarai� kapaṭakūtaracanābhi�/
gītairgāyanalubdhā mugdhamṛgāṇāṃ haranti sarvasva�// ibid.,VII.12

[6]:

prātargāyanaū bhavanti dhīrā� sahārakeyūrā�/
madhyāhne dyutajitā nagnā bhagnā nirādhārā�// ibid.,VII.11

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