Hermina Cielas

Along with the development of colonialism in Europe, more and more people became interested in Oriental cultures. Not only objects of international trade such as spices and textiles reached our continent, but also elements of culture; especially in the field of literature, philosophy and religion. In the era of Romanticism and Young Poland, according to current trends, many writers used oriental motifs in their works. Roman Rostworowski (1885–1954), poet and landlord, whose poetry was imbued with Young Poland convention and the Indian philosophical and religious thought, was a continuator of this tradition. Numerous references to Indian culture in the works of Rostworowski show not only a source of his inspiration but also his personal path of spiritual development, which he followed from the first moment of contact with Indian philosophical and religious literature.
 

A.R. Rajaraja Varma (A.R. Rājarājavarmma, 1863–1918), a Kerala poet, grammarian and critic witnessed the late 19th and early 20th century evolution of South Indian literature and actively participated in the changes. His unique relationship with languages, great knowledge of grammar, poetic talent and a leaning towards a modern approach (to a large extent affected by English) resulted in various works which influenced the development of both Sanskrit and Malayalam. Rajaraja Varma strove to modernise Indian languages and literature, largely by the means of more innovative English. The unusual blend of styles, themes, and motives that interweave in the author’s compositions can be defined as the New Sanskritism. The aim of this paper is to distinguish characteristic features of Rajaraja Varma’s Sanskrit works and discuss them in their socio-cultural context.