Indian Classical Literature — DU B. A. (Hons) English Previous Year Question Papers

3. Candidates have to answer ALL the questions in Part A and ANY THREE questions in Part B. 4. Questions in Part A carry 10 marks each, and questions in Part B carry 20 marks each. 1. (a) Write a short note on the essence and importance of Draupadi's questions in the game of dicing in The Mahabharata. (b) Comment critically on the character and role of Krishna in Mahabharata. 2. (a) "How fragile the life of this deer! How cruel your sharp-pointed arrows. swift-winged! Never should they fall on his tender frame like tongues of flame on a heap of flowers. Quickly withdraw your well-aimed arrow, bound to protect the distressed, not strike the pure." Comment on the aspect of environmental preservation in the light of the above lines from Abhijnänasakuntalam. (b) Comment on the significance of the role of Madhavya in 3. (a) Identify, explain and contextualize the given lines: "May the joys of heaven wait upon the queen Who gave up her life before she felt the pain Of surviving her husband. And may the goddess Of chastity who has come to our good land be honored." (b) Elucidate on the valorization of Cenkulluvan in "The Book of Vañci" 4. (a) Dhritarashtra played a crucial role in the events that led to the game of dicing in The Mahabharata. How does this impact the ideals of dharma as deified in the epic? (b) With reference to Krishna's peace proposal in The Mahabharata, explain the significance of "peace' in the epic. How does this reflect on the outcome of the epic? (a) The dominant rasa in Abhijnãna sakuntalam is sringara rasa or the erotic love sentiment. Elucidate on the given statement with reference to the different stages of love as portrayed in the play. (b) Duhsanta follows his rajdharma even in moments of personal grief. Do you agree? Substantiate your arguments with reference to the play 6. (a) Discuss the themes of Justice and Vengeance in Give an illustrated answer using examples from the "The Book of Vañci". (b) How does Cilappatikaram display the values of ideal kingship? Discuss with reference to the "Book of Vañci" as a presentation of Puram poetry. 7. (a) The questions raised by female protagonists form the basis of complex debates on dharma and karma in the Indian narrative tradition. How would you interpret this statement with reference to any two texts that you have studied? Discuss critically. (b) Ancient Indian writers have projected strong individuality of women characters through their oeuvres. Examine this statement with reference to your reading of any two prescribed texts.