Sunday, June 28, 2009

Introduction to Gananopakhyanam and Index of Documents

Pothana Bhagavatam, one of the excellent grandhas (books) written in Telugu language by Pothana, has been a good source of knowledge for a long time. I enjoy reading this regularly and learn something new everytime I read this grandham. I wanted to research on Bhagavatam to seggregate and enumerate all possible items in the grandham. Hence, in 2007, I have done an experimental work and published this on TeWiki (Telugu Wikipedia) as Bhavatham-Sankhaym.


Having able to do the work using hard-copy version of Pothana Bhagavatam, I attempted to take up the comprehensive volumetric analysis of the great purana, naming the same as Bhagavatam Gananopakhayanam (telugu word for volumetric analysis). My focus is to create data sets that reflect the original intent & content of the author to the extent feasible, not to interpret the meaning or implications. For this purpose, I have created
data sets of letters/syllables, and words/phrases against each poem/prose with Skanda, subtitle/subject, poem number, poem type/name as their addresss. Based on this, a few sample summaries and reports were created as well. This type of preparing a basic and comprehensive data set in Telugu literature is unique, innovative and without any precedence as far as I was able to verify with the research papers published (refer "Research in Telugu Language and Literature During the Period 1988–1997: An Analytical and Quantitative Study" by Professor V.Nityananda Rao, Osmania University and others).

To accomplish this task, I have taken a standard windows-based PC, learnt data-input in Telugu language - using text files (word) and spreadsheets (excel).

Over the last two years, I was able to work on 2 Skandhas (out of 12 skandhas) with the details of word break-up, meaning and individual syllables/letters. I continue to work on the remaining Skandhas.

This blog provides the data and knowledge generated through this ongoing research as well as to take comments from interested groups/individuals. I hope that the data made available :
  • can be leveraged/utilised by enthusiasts and professionals alike
  • the breadth and depth of knowledge contained in this book (grandham) creates enthusiasm and interest in younger generation and emulate them to inculcate renewed interest in Telugu language
As with any research done by single-handed enthusiast/hobbyist, inadvertent errors might have crept-in to a fair extent. I have tried to avoid errors through 10 - 12 times of proof-reading. Applying fresh pair of eyes and professional knowledge can help improve this work and enhance the accuracy level, for which I will be ever thankful. If you are interested, please spend your valuable time on critical evaluation of the documents and highlight to me (I will be very thankful to even go through scanned hard-copy references that can help enhance this data set).

The current data-set is available for the 2 Skandhas completed. For other Skandhas, I hope to post them as soon as they are completed. For any comments, further details or references, feel free to contact me by posting comments here by sending me email (p*o*tha*na*b*h*a*ga*va*tha*m-at-l*i*v*e-dot-com-dot-sg). or (v*s*r*a*o*5*0-at -g*ma*i*l*doT*co*m)

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Before you start, please configure your computer to read/view Telugu fonts (click here for instructions; detailed steps/variations available with TeWiKi and other sites like Bhasha India or Nani Art).

1. Objective and Models Part 1; Part 2
2. Important Explanations:
- Chandassu (for all the 30 types of padya-gadyalu used in this grandha in two different formats) : Grammatic structural rules for the construction of the poems, exclusive linguistic style of Telugu language
- Dattamsam (definitions and assumptions)
3. Pattam (Full Text) of Pradhama Skandham
4. Pattam (Full Text) of Dwitiya Skandham
5. Prathama Skandham Data Files
- Level 1 Data : Paada pankthulu (lines in the poem)
- Level 2 Data : Padakeli (words, phrases and their meaning - teeka tippani)
- Level 3 Data : Aksharamulu (syllables/letters)
5. Dwitiya Skandham Data Files
- Level 1 Data : Paada pankthulu (lines in the poem)
- Level 2 Data : Padakeli (words, phrases and their meaning - teeka tippani)
- Level 3 Data : Aksharamulu (syllables/letters)
- Vivarana (Explanations) :
Chatusloki Bhagavatam : as in original sanskrit version of Srimad Bhagavatham
Dasalaxanamulu : 10 rules for any puranam
Saptha Swaramulu : list of musical notes as pronounced in Bhagavatham
Dina Bhagamulu : break-up of the day, hours and minutes, based on lunar calendar (Indian version)

6. Reports
- Teeka (Dictionary) - covers both Prathama and Dwitiya Skandhams
- Prathama Skandham - Vishayam (Chapters)
- Prathama Skandham - Vrithumulu (Detailed Index)
- Prathama Skandham - Tippani on key words/phrases
- Dwitiya Skandham - Vishayam (Chapters)
- Dwitiya Skandham - Vrithumulu (Detailed Index)
- Dwitiya Skandham - Tippani on key words/phrases

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