Alankar, Ras and Chhand — Study Notes
Overview
Alankar, Ras and Chhand form the aesthetic backbone of Hindi poetry and are essential for Language I in CG TET. These three elements together determine how a poem sounds (Chhand), how it beautifies language (Alankar), and what emotional experience it creates (Ras). Questions typically test recognition of specific alankar types, identification of ras in given verses, and basic knowledge of chhand structures.
For the exam, you need not memorise dozens of subtypes — focus on the 8-10 most common alankars, all 9 rasas with their sthayee bhav, and 4-5 frequently tested chhands. The examiner often presents a couplet and asks you to identify the alankar or ras present. Understanding definitions clearly and practising with examples is the key to scoring well in this topic.
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Key Concepts
- **Alankar (अलंकार)** — Literary devices that add beauty and charm to language. Two main types: Shabdalankar (sound-based) and Arthalankar (meaning-based).
- **Shabdalankar** — Beauty arises from the sound or arrangement of words. Examples: Anupras, Yamak, Shlesh.
- **Arthalankar** — Beauty arises from the meaning or comparison of ideas. Examples: Upma, Rupak, Utpreksha, Atishyokti.
- **Ras (रस)** — The emotional essence or flavour a literary work evokes in the reader. Ras = Vibhav + Anubhav + Sanchari Bhav + Sthayee Bhav.