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The
story of Indian literature extends back over more than 3,000 years.
It includes the religious classics of Hinduism, Buddhism,
Jainism, and Sikhism; literature from the courts of Indian monarchs;
oral poetry and song; and modern verse and prose expressing
contemporary ideas. Although
each successive generation has added its own contribution to Indian
literature, the ancient texts are still influential.
Until
modern times, literature usually reached its audience through
performance and recitation. Religious
texts and stories, often of enormous length, were memorized and
handed down orally from one generation to the next.
So although about half the population of southern Asia are
unable to read or write, the culture of the region is highly
developed.
The
literature of the Indian subcontinent falls into three periods: the
ancient period, dominated by Sanskrit (lasting up to about A.D.
1000); the medieval period, from about A.D. 1000 to the early 1800's
(during which time the regional languages developed); and the modern
period, which has been influenced by European culture.
In the first two periods, most literature was in verse or in
the form of an epigram (a short, clever poem), though prose was also
used. In the modern
period, the use of prose has become fully developed.
Indian
literature has been written in many languages.
Each language has made its own contribution and expressed its
uniqueness. But
throughout the history of Indian literature, there have been
inter-language translations and a sharing of themes, forms,
concerns, directions, and movements.
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