THE CREATIVE IDEAL By RABINDRANATH TAGORE IN an old Sanskrit book there is a verse which describes the essential elements of a picture. The first in order is Vrupa-bheddh—separateness of forms. Forms are many, forms are different, each of them having its limits. But if this were absolute, if all forms remained obstinately separate, then there would be a fearful loneliness of multitude. But the varied forms, in their very separateness, must carry something which indicates the paradox of their ultimate unity, otherwise there would be no creation. So in the same verse, after the enumeration of separateness comes that of Pramanani—proportions. Proportions indicate relationship, the principle of mutual accommodation. A leg dismembered from the body has the fullest licence to make a caricature of itself. But, as a member of the body, it has its responsibility to the living unity which rules the body ; it must behave properly, it must keep its proportion. If, by some monstrous chance of physiological profiteering, it could outgrow by yards its fellow-stalker, then we know what a picture it would offer to the spectator and what embarrassment to the body itself. Any attempt to overcome the law of proportion altogether and to assert absolute separateness is rebellion ; it means either running the gauntlet of the rest, or remaining segregated. The same Sanskrit word Pramanani, which in a book of aesthetics means proportions, in a book of logic means the proofs by which the truth of a proposition is ascertained. All proofs of truth are credentials of relationship. Individual facts have to produce such passports to show that they are not expatriated, that they are not a break in the unity of the whole. The logical relationship present in an intellectual proposition, and the aesthetic relationship indicated in the proportions of a work of art, both agree in one thing. They affirm that truth consists, not in facts, but in harmony of facts. Of this fundamental note of reality it is that the poet has said, Beauty is truth, truth beauty. Read More : forum.banglalibrary.org/topic1439-the-creative-ideal-by-rabindranath-tagore.html
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 16:01:30 +0000
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