Mahamahopadhyaya Prof.S. Kuppuswami Sastri is well known to the present-day senior scholars as a pastmaster in both the branches of learning, the Sastras and Kavyas and as one who could teach at the highest level the secrets of both. In fact, when he reorganised the Sanskrit studies at the Sanskrit College, Madras, he suggested the name 'Siromani' to the course because of his great admiration for the brilliant logician Raghunatha Siromani who hailed from Navadvīpa in Bengal. For, in his introductory verses of his well-known commentary Didhiti on Gangesa Upadhyaya's Tattvacintamani, Raghunatha Siromani says that he ascertained the true import of all Śāstras by his study and investigation (अध्ययनभावनाभ्यां) and that he was a poet as well (रघुनाथकविः). Prof. Shastri’s ideal was that the holder of the 'Siromani' title too should have a thorough mastery of all the Sastras and also poetic sensibilities.
Prof. Sastri himself shone as the pioneering example of this unique combination. His four lectures on the Highways and Byways of Literary Criticism in Sanskrit, delivered during 23rd to 26th Jan. 1931 at the Annamalai University bear out this fact. These were first brought out as a booklet in 1945 by the Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute. On account of its wide use by scholars and students in various universities in India and outside, selections from the book were included in an introduction to Indian Poetics, ed. by V. Raghavan and Nagendra (Macmillan & Co., 1970).
For many years now the Institute has been receiving requests for bringing out a photo offset of the booklet in the original handy format. The Institute is delighted to have been able to satisfy such readers now.
The present edition was possible with the financial assistance from an endowment created by Mrs. Sushila Radhakrishnan at the Institute in 1992.
I knew when I was flattered into acceptance of the high honour of being President of the Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute, that I should soon be called upon to perform the difficult tasks of the office, and that then would begin the process of wringing the hands. Here I am now, having to present to the world of scholars a booklet of Mm. Kuppuswami Sastri on The Highways and Byways of Literary Criticism in Sanskrit, and not quite knowing how. The late Mahamahopadhyaya was master of both branches of learning, the Sastras and the Kavyas, and could teach on the highest level the secrets of both. In fact, the great classic on the topic of dhvani, which could be found only in obscure and inaccurate texts, was by him first examined with care and given to the world in a correct edition. Of the labour that he bestowed on the rescue and elucidation of this authoritative treafise and of kindred labours in the department of poetics, The Highways and Byways may be said to be the ripe fruit. It surveys with the minute and far-going vision of a master all the problems that beset the path of a critic who is bent on reaching the citadel of poetic excellence. How lucky he must be to be conducted in this exalted quest by a guide of keen insight and rare renown! And the way he takes you is not monotonous or thorny, but divagates into twenty different branches, giving picturesque views and glorious examples of the noble art of poesy. To the young adventurer who would learn how to appraise and enjoy the work of a real kavi, I would say with confidence: "Enter here, you shall have reward you never dreamt of."
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