WL/ENG 219: World Literature - South Asian Literature and Culture Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, figures, and historical periods from South Asian literature and culture based on the WL/ENG 219 study guide.

Atharva Veda

A collection of spells and incantations, apostrophic charms, and speculative hymns.

Natya

Sanskrit dramas derived from the root word Nrit.

Sindh River

The river from which the names Hindi and Hindu originated.

Veer Gatha Kal

The early period of the history of Hindi literature, also known as Adi Kaal.

Doha

Two lines couplets used in Hindi poetry.

Bhakti Kal

The devotional period of Hindi literature, spanning from $1375-1700$.

Alvars

The sages of Vaishnavism who were the writers of Tamil devotional poems.

Rabindranath Tagore

The first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature and creator of Gitanjali (Song Offerings), whose compositions were chosen as national anthems by India and Bangladesh.

Bollywood

Globalized Mumbai's (formerly known as Bombay) Hindi film culture industry.

Dada Saheb Phalke

The founder of Indian cinema.

Raja Harishchandra

The first Indian full feature-length mythological movie.

Kisan Kanya

The first colored Indian film, produced by Ardeshir Irani in $1937$.

Ghazni Invasion

A terrifying wave of Islamic invasion that came to Sindh in $977\text{ C.E.}$

Communalism

The primary basis for conflict leading to violent clashes between two communities, which has less to do with religion itself than with political dominance and competition for resources.

Amir Khusrau

An Urdu poet whose time period corresponds to the Early Age.

Ritikavya Kaal

The Scholastic Period of Hindi literature during which erotic elements (poetic figures and theory) became predominant.

Chaupaya

Four lines couplets used in Hindi devotional poems.

Bharatendu Yug

The era from $1868-1893$ that marked the start of the Renaissance of Hindi literature.

Uttarakhand

The Indian state where Sanskrit serves as the official language.

Language Evolution Sequence

The correct historical evolution of Hindi-Urdu: Sanskrit < Pali < Prakrit < Apabhramsa < Khodiboli < Hindustani < Hindi-Urdu.