Metrical normalisation: methodology to reconstruct the metrical norm in vernacular poetry

Journal article

In Vīsāḷadevarāsa: A Restauration of the Text, John D. Smith developed a methodology for reaching to metrically correct layers of a seemingly unmetrical text. He identified metrical adjustment, spelling modification and excision of certain categories of words and particles as means of metrical normalisation. Combined with Constance Fairbank’s theory on stress in Hindi metre, Smith’s ‘metrical normalisation’, can be used to reach to more abstract and possibly earlier layers in the earliest recorded poetry attributed to Sant poets, such as Nāmdev and Kabīr, who have long been thought to be uneducated and careless of metre, and to a wide range of similar poetry including the Ismili gināns. A metrical reconstruction, shows that these poets participated in the literary world of their times sharing the popular metres of courtly epics.m The paper also discusses the limits of metrical reconstruction as some authors used extrametrical elements as poetic license. In such cases, the reconstruction of metrical norm helps us understanding the nature of possible poetic licenses.

Authors: Bangha, I

• Publication status: Accepted
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Cardiff University Press
• Journal: Asian Literature and Translation
• Acceptance date: 2025-02-01
• EISSN: 2051-5863
• Language: English
• Keywords: Hindi; metre; geyavikāra; accretion; performance; manuscript; ćaupāī (chaupai); Nāmdev; Ginān (Ginan)