Anandavardhana (c. 820–890 CE) was a Kashmiri philosopher and literary critic, considered one of India's most important theorists of aesthetics. He is best known for his theory of Dhvani, which revolutionized Indian poetics.

Key Contributions:

• Dhvanyaloka: Anandavardhana's most important work is the Dhvanyaloka (Light on Suggestion), a seminal text in the field of Sanskrit poetics. In this work, he introduces and elaborates on the concept of Dhvani, or suggestion, as the soul of poetry.
• Theory of Dhvani: Dhvani refers to the suggested or implied meaning in poetry, which goes beyond the literal or expressed meaning (Vachya). Anandavardhana argued that the most effective poetry is that which evokes emotions and ideas through suggestion, creating a deeper and more profound aesthetic experience.
• Classification of Dhvani: He classified Dhvani into different types, including:
• Vastu-dhvani (suggestion of fact)
• Alankara-dhvani (suggestion of figure of speech)
• Rasa-dhvani (suggestion of sentiment or emotion)
• Importance of Rasa: Anandavardhana emphasized the importance of Rasa (aesthetic emotion) in poetry. He believed that the ultimate goal of poetry is to evoke Rasa in the reader or audience through the power of Dhvani.
• Influence: Anandavardhana's theory of Dhvani had a profound and lasting impact on Indian poetics and literary criticism. It influenced subsequent generations of scholars and poets and continues to be studied and debated today. His work marked a shift from a focus on the external elements of poetry, such as figures of speech and meter, to the internal elements of suggestion and emotion.

Anandavardhana's ideas are complex and nuanced, and his work requires careful study to fully appreciate its depth and significance. However, his contributions to the understanding of poetry and aesthetics are undeniable, and he remains a towering figure in the history of Indian literature.

For further reading, consider exploring these resources:

• Wisdom Library entry on Anandavardhana
• Encyclopædia Britannica entry on Anandavardhana