Novel Writing

 

All literature is written in a recognizable language. literature's main goals is sharing ideas, concepts, and stories with a larger audience. There are over 6,900 distinct languages in the world. so literature exists in tons of different linguistic forms, too.

A novel is a prose narrative of significant length and complexity that deals imaginatively with human experience.  But language can also be an important tool in understanding the meaning of a book, too. 

A novel can accommodate an almost infinite number of elements such as

the story or plot,

the characters,

the setting,

the narrative method and

of view, and

the scope or dimension.

The novel has an extensive range of types,. They are being: historical,  sentimental,  psychological, novel of manners,   romance,  cult, detective, mystery, thriller, western, modern and  fantasy.

Plot

The plot of a work is defined as the sequence of events that occurs from the first line to the last. In other words, the plot is what happens in a story. The best plots are both original and interesting. Complexity of the plot is a matter of taste and the setting .

All literature has a plot of some kind. Most long-form literature, like a novel or a play, follows a typical plot structure, also known as a plot arc.

This type of plot has six elements:

Beginning/Exposition: This is the very beginning of a story. During the exposition, authors usually introduce the major characters and settings to the reader.

Conflict: The conflict of a story is the problem that the main characters have to tackle. Conflict in a story is a struggle between opposing forces. 

There are two types of conflict in a plot.

External conflict refers to the obstacles a character faces in the external world. 

Internal conflict refers to a character's internal or emotional obstacles. Moral or philosophical conflicts are created between a character’s worldview or belief system and the world around them.

Characters must act to confront those forces and there is where conflict is born. If there is nothing to overcome, there is no story. Conflict in a story creates and drives the plot forward. 

WHY IS CONFLICT IMPORTANT IN STORIES:

It creates and drives the plot

It reveals opposing beliefs and truths about life

It entertains by creating relatable contexts in emotional, dangerous, or exciting ways.

 

Rising Action: Rising action is literally everything that happens in a story that leads up to the climax of the plot. Usually this involves facing and conquering minor

conflicts, which is what keeps the plot moving forward. More importantly, writers use rising action to build tension that head to the plot's climax.

Climax: The climax of the plot is the part of the story where the characters finally have to face and solve the major conflict. This is the "peak" of the plot where all the tension of the rising action finally comes to a head.

Falling Action: Falling action is everything that happens after the climax but before the resolution. This is where writers tie up any loose ends and start bringing the action to a close.

Resolution/Denouement: This is the conclusion of a story. But just because it's called a "resolution" doesn't mean every single issue is resolved happily—or even satisfactorily.

 

2.  Character Development

Bringing the characters to life in the reader’s mind. They can range from thumbnail sketches to deep, wordy, highly detailed biographies of each character. It’s important to note that different genres and stories require different types of character development.

3.  Writing Style

Style should always be appropriate for the genre or story. An appropriate style adds to the texture of the novel. Literary fiction tends to lean toward complex sentences with original language. Thrillers tend to use shorter, more efficient sentences, especially as the pace quickens in the novel.

4.  Length

On Writing, eneral rule of thumb is to cut 10%. According to Hemingway's advice was to take the first fifty pages of your novel and cut them down to five pages. Sometimes when writing, less is more.

Books that are too long are the sign of laziness by the writer and also imply an arrogance of sorts, one that essentially says to the reader, Efficiency is one of the characteristics of quality writing.

Setting : The background in which the story takes place. There are several aspects to setting:

(a) Place: This is the geographical location of the story. Since novels are lengthy, the story may move from one place to another. When asked to describe the setting, you may give the general geographical location

(b) Time: First, this refers to the period of history, if the story is set in the past. If the story could happen now or at some recent unspecified time, we say that it is "contemporary. When describing the setting of a portion of the novel, you may be able to specify the season, month, and even time of day.

(c) Climate/Weather: This is an aspect of setting, but it can be important to the novel.

(d) Lifestyle: This refers to the daily life of the characters. If a story takes place in a particular historical period, the lifestyle of the characters is part of the setting.

Style

Romanticism:The Romantic movement in European literature is usually associated with those social and philosophical trends that prepared the way for the French Revolution, which began in 1789. The somewhat subjective, anti-rational, emotional currents of romanticism transformed intellectual life in the revolutionary and Napoleonic periods and remained potent for a great part of the 19th century.

In the novel, the romantic approach to life was prepared in the “sentimental” works, if it historical novels, turned the past into a great stage for the enactment of events motivated by idealism, chivalry, and strong emotional impulse, using an artificially archaic language full of remote and magical charm. Realism

Certain major novelists of the 19th century, particularly in France, reacted against romanticism by eliminating from their work those “softer” qualities—tenderness, idealism, chivalric passion, and the like—which seemed to them to hide the stark realities of life in a dreamlike haze.

Realism in this sense has been a continuing impulse in the 20th-century novel.

Read More

TRANSLATION

What does the word translation mean? 

 Definition of Translation

The translation is the transmission of written text from one language (the source) to another language (the target). 

  Different Approaches of Translation 

Scholars like Theodore Savory define translation as an 'art' 

while Eric Jacobsen calls it a 'craft' and yet others like

 Eugene Nida describe it as a 'science'.

Science refers to an activity which is systematic and rule-governed which proceeds according to strict rules applied in a certain order and leading to expected results, is scientific in nature.

Craft, on the other hand is a skill where better and better results are obtained not by following set rules and regulations but by practice. Craft is primarily manual, that is to say it is practiced by hand. 

Art is also a skill, but it is skill raised to a higher level where elements of beauty enter into it. Art evokes strong emotional responses too.

 Pottery is a craft. Carving human figures on stone is also a craft. Because of practice and experimenting in different ways one may be able to calve out certain figures which may evoke strong feelings or emotions among those who see these figures.

This is art. It may follow certain procedures of carving or it may break those procedures. Each carver may set up his/her own rules. In this sense, art is different from both science and craft.

Certain groups of words are arranged in a definite manner. Only then they become well-formed sentences. So, translating is a science. 

A translator has to make several adjustments in content, form and style of the original text for the following reasons :

a) for conveying the writer's message in the original faithfully,

b)  for communicating with the reader according to author needs; 

In addition to these reasons, a translator has to consider the nature of the text.

c) The translator will make different adjustments while translating a poem, on the one hand and a scientific text on the other

Different types of translations.

WORD-FOR- WORD TRANSLATION

In this type of translation, the primary unit of translation is the word. A substitute of each word in this source language is made from the target language and the order of words remains the same as in the source language.

 This is based on the principle that while translating a text, no word should be left untranslated and  word which does not occur in the original text should be included in the translated text. 

 Let us look at an example of this type of translation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrqo88uHaik

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;'

பயம் இல்லாமல் மனம் எங்கே இதயம் எங்கே அச்சமின்றி உள்ளதோ,

எங்கே தலை நிமிர்ந்து நிற்கிறதோ 

Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been divided by narrow domestic walls;

அறிவு வளர்ச்சிக்குஎங்கே பூரணவிடுதலை உள்ளதோ,குடும்பத்தின் குறுகிய தடைப்பாடுகளால்வெளி உலகின் ஒருமைப்பாடுஎங்கே உடைபட்டுத்துண்டுகளாய்ப்போய்விட படவில்லையோ,

Where words emerge from the depths of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;

வாய்ச் சொற்கள் எங்கேமெய்நெறிகளின்அடிப்படையிலிருந்து
வெளிப்படையாய் வருகின்றனவோ,

Where the clear stream of reason has not been lost amid the dreary desert sands of dead habit 

Where the mind is led forward into ever-widening thought and action;

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

பாழடைந்த பழக்கம் என்னும் பாலை மணலில் வழி தவறிப் போய்விட வில்லையோ,நோக்கம் விரியவும்,ஆக்கவினை புரியவும்
இதயத்தை எங்கே வழிநடத்திச் செல்கிறாயோ,அந்த விடுதலைச் சுவர்க்க பூமியில் எந்தன் பிதாவே! விழித்தெழுக     என் தேசம்!

Psalm 42

திருப்பாடல்கள்

As the deer longs for running streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

கலைமான் நீரோடைகளுக்காக

ஏங்கித் தவிப்பது போல்

கடவுளே! என் நெஞ்சம்

உமக்காக ஏங்கித் தவிக்கின்றது.

மானானது நீரோடைகளை

வாஞ்சித்துக் கதறுவதுபோல,

தேவனே, என் ஆத்துமா

உம்மை வாஞ்சித்துக் கதறுகிறது. 

My soul thirsts for God, the living God.

When can I enter and see the face of God?

என் நெஞ்சம் கடவுள்மீது,உயிருள்ள இறைவன்மீது தாகம் கொண்டுள்ளது;

எப்பொழுது நான் கடவுள் முன்னிலையில் வந்து

நிற்கப்போகின்றேன்?

என் ஆத்துமா தேவன்மேல், ஜீவனுள்ள தேவன்மேலேயே

தாகமாயிருக்கிறது; 

நான் எப்பொழுது தேவனுடைய சந்நிதியில் வந்து  நிற்பேன்?

Thus word-for-word translation has a practical use for it helps linguists in teaching grammar. Similarly, when we translate a religious or classical text into a modern language, a word-for-word translation helps us understand the word order of the second translation.

 A second translation in the modern language helps to understand the meaning. Examples of word-for-word translation can also be found in legal texts, where the legal terms are already codified and have to be substituted for the words in the second translation

LITERAL TRANSLATION

There is  no two languages have exactly similar structures. That is to say different languages have different ways of putting words together to make sentences. Also, different languages have different ways of conveying meaning. However, sometimes two languages may be close to one another and their manner of organizing words and meanings may be similar.

 When the activity of translation takes place between two such languages, it may be possible to make a literal translation. Again, it may be possible to use this type of translation even among two dissimilar languages when the text is more information-oriented and less opinion-oriented. For instance, translations of scientific and technical texts may make use of this type of translation.

 

Literal language is saying exactly what you mean while 

figurative language is more elaborate and uses literary techniques or 

 

Literal language expresses thoughts and ideas in a clear and specific manner. They do not deviate from the accepted meaning. Thus, it is easy to understand literal language. This type of language is often used to deliver important information and is used in writing scientific, technical and legal documents.

2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19 – 22)

Freedom is one of the most important ideals cherished by any democratic society. The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom to citizens. The freedom right includes many rights such as:

• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of expression
• Freedom of assembly without arms
• Freedom of association
• Freedom to practise any profession 
• Freedom to reside in any part of the country

பேச்சு சுதந்திரம். பேச, ‘வெளிப்படுத்த’, ஆயுதங்கள் இன்றி அமைதியாக ஒன்று சேர, மன்றங்கள்/ அமைப்புகள் நடத்த, இந்தியாவுக்குள் எங்கும் சென்று வர, இந்தியாவுக்குள் எங்கும் வசிக்க – எல்லாக் குடிமகன்களுக்கும் உரிமை உண்டு. (பிரிவு 19)  ஒரே குற்றத்துக்கு இரு முறை தண்டனை வழங்கப்பட மாட்டாது. (பிரிவு 20) 

Figurative language is a language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. For example, look at the sentence ‘raining cats and dogs’. This does not mean that cats and dogs are falling from the sky. This actually means that it’s raining heavily.

Connotation and Denotation

 Connotation and Denotation are two principal methods of describing the meanings of words. 

Connotation refers to the wide array of positive and negative associations that most words naturally carry with them, whereas denotation is the precise, literal definition of a word that might be found in a dictionary.

Connotation is the emotional and imaginative association surrounding a word.

Denotation is the strict dictionary meaning of a word.

drug addict . . . druggie, drug fiend, substance abuser handicapped . . . crippled, disabled, differently abled horse . . . . . . steed, nag, plug

house . . . . . . home, abode, domicile, residence

thin . . . . . . thin, slender, slim, skinny, lean, beanpole attractive . . . pretty, beautiful, handsome,

fair reporter . . . . journalist, broadcaster, newshound unattractive . . plain, dull, ugly

1. What is the primary aim of translation?

2. Distinguish between literal and word-for-word translation.

3. Differentiate between literal and figurative meaning.

4. Draw a distinction between denotative meaning and connotative meaning.

5. what way does the nature of meaning determine the type of translation? 

karee in tamil

katee in Malyalam

Read More

Brief History of Indian Art(Architecture and painting)

 It is believed that ,art is  originated. From the period of  the Indus Valley Civilization .

Ancient Period

An early art form consisting of carvings or drawings on cave rocks. The oldest known prehistoric art is the series of petroglyphs discovered during the 1990s in two ancient quartzite caves in India: 

the Auditorium Cave at Bhimbetka and 

a rock shelter at Daraki-Chattan. 

This cave art consists of numerous cupules - non-utilitarian hemispherical cup-shaped depressions - hammered out of the rock surface. Geological investigations of the prehistoric sites by renowned archeologists . That have established that this rock art pre-dates the Acheulean culture of the Lower Paleolithic era, and must therefore date from at least 290,000 BCE.

However, once more advanced dating methods become available, it is conceivable that these petroglyphs will turn out to be much older - perhaps originating as early as 700,000 Even so, the Bhimbetka cupules are four times older than the Blombos Cave art, which is the next oldest site of Stone Age art.

Indus Valley Art

From the 2nd Century B.C., the Indus Valley Civilisation flourished in the northwest area of the country, which is Pakistan to the present date. The evolution towards a sophisticated and civilised culture happened in the Harappan period. Roughly dating somewhere from 3200-1200. The people of the Indus valley civilization produced the earliest known Indian art sculptures, from between 2500 and 1800 BCE. They were small terracotta and bronze figures depicting animals and humans, like cows, monkeys, and dancing positions.

Buddhism and Hinduism Influenced Art

Buddhism originated in India at some point in the 6th century BCE. Religious artists made sculpture pieces, including stone and bronze. They also produced magnificent examples of Indian cave art, with entire temples being carved in stone and decorated with Greek-influenced columns and sculptures.

https://artsandculture.google.com/story/10-ancient-buddhist-temples-to-explore-from-home/1gXxcehgngrO6w

 By the 5th century CE, the sculpture was a common practice among Indian Buddhists and Hindus. Hinduism continued to be the focus of art creation for centuries, sculptures of Shiva and other deities, and huge stone temples like the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, built in the 11th century in northern India.

Islamic Influence

In the 12th century, there was a gradual Muslim conquest in India with the establishment of various Islamic States during that time. Islam gradually gained importance in India and under the Mughal Empire, established in the 16th century. The beautiful influence of Islamic culture came with the invasion of Mughals and other Islamic rulers. With Mughals rule during the 16th century- mid 19th century, changed the entire complexion of the country leaving a lasting impression on India’s Culture, Clothing and especially in Indian Art and Paintings. Their influence can be traced to the architecture and monuments built by them during that time like the Taj Mahal.

https://www.yoair.com/blog/the-story-behind-the-taj-mahal-and-why-it-is-a-cultural-landmark/

Colonial Era

A defining moment in the History of Indian Art, which came during the western influence on the country’s heritage, was with the arrival of Vasco da Gama at the end of the 15th century, who established a direct link with India for trade. 

Slowly and gradually during the 17th century, France, Netherlands and Denmark and England began facilitating trade with India. With the fall of Maratha rule in the 18th century, European countries started entering India from its different regions. 

The British power expanded with the defeat of Tipu Sultan and by the mid-19th century, the country find itself covered under the British Empire’s governance. The western and European influence on India during that time is something that can be experienced in Indian’s culture and art even today. This resulted in local artistic traditions merging with foreign influences. 

History of Indian Art: Styles

Traditional Indian Art consists of religious characters (Gods and Idols) in Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism which have been a common theme throughout centuries. Sculptures and cave paintings found in ancient times mainly featured human, mythological, elaborated ornaments and animals forms. In the medieval period, Islam as well as the Indian art didn’t relinquish figural representations. Each style of art is unique in its own way and greatly admirable. Traditionally, these art styles existed only in wall paintings or murals. But today, they are also found in canvas, paper, cloth, etc. Here is a list of different Indian art styles, some still in practice and others not.

Madhubani Painting

This art is also known as Mithila art, and it originated in the kingdom of Janak in Nepal and in present-day Bihar. This art form was not known to the rest of the world until the 1930s when it was discovered after an earthquake. Mostly practised by women, these paintings or wall murals depict gods, fauna and flora. Characterised by geometric patterns, this art form is greatly admired for its evocative portrayal of traditions and cultures.

Warli Painting

This form of art dates back to 2500 BCE, and it was practised by the Warli tribes belonging to Thane and Nasik in Maharashtra. These paintings mostly illustrate the nature and social rituals of the tribe. 

It portrays daily activities like farming, praying, dancing, hunting, etc. Geometrical patterns in white against a yellow or red background are some of the main themes. Warli paintings were usually made by married women to celebrate a wedding, and they were also used to decorate huts of the Warli tribes.

Miniature Painting

The miniature paintings illustrate a combination of Indian, Islamic and Persian art styles. This art form dates back to the 16th century, and the themes are usually centred on battles, court scenes, portraits, wildlife, receptions, hunting scenes, legendary stories etc. Natural stone colours are used in a paper-based “wasli” for the creation of these paintings. The miniature paintings have developed into several distinct schools of miniature like Mughal, Rajasthan, Deccan, Kangra, Malwa, Pahadi, etc.

Kalamkari

Having a strong connection to Persian motifs, this art has been in practice for more than 3000 years. 

Kalamkari derives its name from kalam or pen, and it means ‘drawings with a pen’. 

This organic art of hand and block printing has survived generations in Andhra Pradesh. Kalamkari art involves earthy colours like green, rust, indigo, mustard and black.

 Today this art is used in ethnic clothing and depicts anything from fauna and flora to epics such as Mahabharata or Ramayana.

Tanjore Painting

First painted in the 16th century under the Chola regime, this painting originated in the Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu. 

Tanjore painting, also known by the name Thanjavur painting, is an ancient South Indian art form that was named after the city from where it originated. Locally, Tanjore Paintings are also called ‘Palagai Padam,’ which means picture on a wooden plank as these paintings are crafted on wooden planks. The innovative painting style, vibrant colors, iconic composition, and surface richness make Tanjore Paintings unique and popular across the world. Each Tanjore Painting is embellished with glass beads, semi-precious gems and stones, vibrant natural colors, and glittering gold foil. All these provide a three-dimensional effect to the painting.

The art form got its original inspiration from 1600 A.D., when the Nayakas were under the control of Rayas of Vijayanagara. During this period, Rayas encouraged various forms of classical art, including dance, painting, music, and literature. However, the painting style as we know it today is highly influenced by the Maratha court of Thanjavur. In 2007-2008, the Government of India recognized Tanjore Painting as a Geographical Indication. The skilled artisans use this painting style to paint the portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses in different postures.

The roots of Tanjore Paintings are also linked to Thanjavur. The painting style originated and flourished here in the 16th and 17th centuries. The origin of this classical painting style is linked to the Vijayanagara Empire (1336 A.D. to 1646 A.D.), including the areas of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The rulers of Vijayanagara were patrons of art and culture. The roots of this South Indian art form are linked to the Mural art of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Tanjore Painting was first used for decorating the doors and walls of homes, palaces, and temples in Thanjavur. The interior walls of the palaces were also painted with depictions of various events like a coronation, battle victories, and other achievements of the rulers. In contrast, the walls of temples and homes were decorated with murals and paintings involving religious themes and portraits of various Hindu deities.  

Tanjore Painting style is one of the oldest South Indian art forms that still exist. These paintings were made with humility, ritual purity, and devotion. Mostly, the subjects of these paintings are associated with Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The art form has stood against the test of times through history and went through several innovations. The reason it survived through centuries is the adaptability of the painting style to change the format. Even today, Tanjore Paintings still have a broad appeal. The artists have kept the traditional practices and techniques alive.

Read More