[INDOLOGY] Help with Ramayana

Nagaraj Paturi nagarajpaturi at gmail.com
Wed Apr 12 09:04:01 UTC 2017


> I inserted “primordial,” since this traditional, faith-based Hindu
scholar argues that writing "has always been there.”

---- You agree that he is a 'faith-based' scholar and a 'traditional'
scholar. But still would like to evaluate his statement  'writing has
always been there' from a non-faith-based, non-traditional lens /
perspective.

On Wed, Apr 12, 2017 at 2:15 PM, Howard Resnick via INDOLOGY <
indology at list.indology.info> wrote:

> Excellent observation on the paradox of exalting oral transmission, while
> insisting on an ahistorical, perennial writing tradition.
> Best,
> Howard
>
> > On Apr 11, 2017, at 1:57 PM, Camillo Formigatti <
> camillo.formigatti at bodleian.ox.ac.uk> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Howard,
> >
> > Thanks a lot for the nice reply, actually I didn't help at all!
> >
> > The reason why I asked about the line of argument is that I simply find
> this will to secure a 'primordial' origin and status to writing in South
> Asian (or shall I say Hindu?) culture very fascinating. After all, aren't
> we constantly reminded on all sides of the importance of direct oral
> transmission in South Asian culture--or to paraphrase the proverb, isn't it
> so that knowledge written in a book is like money in somebody else's hands,
> when you need it, it's not accessible?
> >
> > Best wishes,
> >
> > Camillo
> >
> >
> > Dr Camillo A. Formigatti
> > John Clay Sanskrit Librarian
> >
> > Bodleian Libraries
> > The Weston Library
> > Broad Street
> > Oxford
> > OX1 3BG
> >
> > Email: camillo.formigatti at bodleian.ox.ac.uk
> > Tel. (office): 01865 (2)77208
> > www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Howard Resnick [mailto:hr at ivs.edu]
> > Sent: 11 April 2017 11:03
> > To: Camillo Formigatti <camillo.formigatti at bodleian.ox.ac.uk>
> > Cc: Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
> > Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Help with Ramayana
> >
> > Thank you, Camillo. You and I agree.
> >
> > I inserted “primordial,” since this traditional, faith-based Hindu
> scholar argues that writing "has always been there.”  I’m sure and I have
> the same view on this matter, but I was trying to be gentle with him on
> text-critical issues, dating etc, so that he didn’t flame up on me.
> >
> > Anyway, your help is much appreciated.
> >
> > Best wishes,
> > Howard
> >
> >> On Apr 10, 2017, at 12:37 PM, Camillo Formigatti via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
> >>
> >> Dear Howard,
> >>
> >> I don't see immediately how this reference in the Ramayana could be
> understood as 'primordial writing.' What should primordial mean? If the
> passage refers to the name of Rama represented by some sort of script on a
> ring, still to what extent could it be a reliable source about the
> introduction of the technology of writing in South Asia? How would it help
> us in this matter?
> >>
> >> I'm curious to know more about the line of argument of the Hindu
> scholar you are corresponding with.
> >>
> >> Best wishes,
> >>
> >> Camillo Formigatti
> >>
> >>
> >> Dr Camillo A. Formigatti
> >> John Clay Sanskrit Librarian
> >>
> >> Bodleian Libraries
> >> The Weston Library
> >> Broad Street
> >> Oxford
> >> OX1 3BG
> >>
> >> Email: camillo.formigatti at bodleian.ox.ac.uk
> >> Tel. (office): 01865 (2)77208
> >> www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: INDOLOGY [mailto:indology-bounces at list.indology.info] On Behalf
> >> Of indology-request at list.indology.info
> >> Sent: 08 April 2017 17:00
> >> To: indology at list.indology.info
> >> Subject: INDOLOGY Digest, Vol 51, Issue 8
> >>
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-- 
Nagaraj Paturi

Hyderabad, Telangana, INDIA.

Former Senior Professor of Cultural Studies

FLAME School of Communication and FLAME School of  Liberal Education,

(Pune, Maharashtra, INDIA )


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