Kala Etle Shu - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Kala Etle Shu" (What is Art?), authored by Maganbhai Prabhudas Desai, based on the provided pages:

Title: Kala Etle Shu (કળા એટલે શું?) - What is Art? Author: Maganbhai Prabhudas Desai (based on Leo Tolstoy's "What is Art?") Publisher: Parivar Prakashan Sahkari Mandir, Ahmedabad Language: Gujarati Core Content: This book is a Gujarati translation and adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's seminal work on art. It explores Tolstoy's philosophical views on the nature, purpose, and evaluation of art, contextualized within the broader principles of Jainism and Gandhian thought by the editor/translator, Maganbhai Desai.

Summary:

The book begins with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting that life is superior to art, and a true artist is one who lives a good life. Gandhi emphasizes that art should serve life and elevate it. This sets a moral and purposeful tone for the discussion on art.

Maganbhai Desai, in his "Statement on Reprints," explains the book's journey. The first edition was published by Gujarat Vidyapeeth in 1945. Due to its unavailability, and recognizing the demand from students and the general public, a second edition was published by Shri M. D. Sanman Trust through Parivar Prakashan Sanstha. Desai expresses his gratitude for the timely re-publication and notes some minor corrections and the inclusion of a small supplementary article, "What is Tooth?" (though the content of this supplementary article is not detailed in the provided text, it's mentioned as an addition). He also thanks the English publishers for providing the illustrations.

Introduction (Upaghat):

The introduction by Maganbhai Desai highlights the profound nature of Tolstoy's work on art. He notes that Tolstoy dedicated 15 years of his life to this subject, reflecting his deep and often turbulent contemplation on art's true meaning. Desai points out that art is intrinsically linked to human life, influencing religion, social organization, and even personal relationships. He raises fundamental questions about art's essence, its universal criteria, and whether the opinions of a select artistic elite truly define it. Tolstoy's answers, Desai believes, are deeply impactful and offer a profound perspective on art's role in human well-being.

Desai praises Tolstoy's unique approach, stating he wasn't interested in creating philosophical frameworks for art but rather in exploring it from the core of his life experience. Tolstoy, a literary giant, was also a seeker of truth, possessing artistic sensitivity, philosophical sharpness, and an independent mind free from societal conventions. His life, marked by experiences from aristocratic comfort to witnessing peasant struggles, fueled his introspective analysis. Tolstoy's writings, often revolutionary and anti-establishment, were initially suppressed in Russia and circulated through clandestine means.

Tolstoy's Core Arguments on Art (as summarized by Desai and Tolstoy himself):

Art as a Means of Human Connection: Tolstoy defines art as a vital means of communication between people, specifically for exchanging feelings and emotions. Just as language facilitates the exchange of thoughts, art facilitates the transmission of emotions. This connection is based on a person's ability to empathize with and feel the emotions expressed by another.
The "Infectiousness" of True Art: The true indicator of art, according to Tolstoy, is its "infectiousness"—the ability of the artist's genuine feeling to be transmitted to the audience, evoking a similar emotional response. This infectiousness relies on three factors:
- Individuality of Feeling: The uniqueness and strength of the emotion expressed.
- Clarity of Expression: The clear and distinct conveyance of the feeling through artistic means.
- Sincerity of the Artist: The artist's genuine emotional state and intention. Sincerity is deemed the most crucial element, as it naturally leads to the other two.
Critique of Contemporary (Nineteenth-Century European) Art: Tolstoy launches a scathing critique of the art prevalent in his time among the upper classes. He argues that this art is:
- False and Imitative: It is not born from genuine feeling but from a desire to please the elite and follows artificial rules and conventions.
- Exclusive and Elitist: It caters only to a small, privileged segment of society, often using obscure or complex forms that alienate the common people.
- Morally Corrupting: It often promotes themes of pride, discontent, sensuality, and artificiality, rather than genuine human connection and spiritual elevation.
- Lacking in Sincerity: The art is produced for commercial gain or social status, not from an inner compulsion to express genuine emotion.
- Dependent on False Criteria: Instead of focusing on the transmission of genuine feeling, contemporary art relies on criteria like "poetic beauty" (borrowed content), "imitation" (realistic detail), "striking effects" (sensationalism), and "interestingness" (intellectual puzzles).
The Role of Religion and Universal Brotherhood: Tolstoy posits that art's true value lies in its connection to the prevailing religious consciousness of an era—not in the sense of organized religion, but in the fundamental spiritual or moral perception of life's meaning. He argues that true art expresses feelings that align with the highest moral and spiritual understanding of humanity, promoting universal brotherhood and love (akin to Christian ideals).
The Importance of Universality and Simplicity: Genuine art, according to Tolstoy, should be comprehensible and accessible to all people, not just a select few. Its subject matter should draw from universal human experiences and emotions, not the artificial or decadent sentiments of the upper classes. He contrasts the often inaccessible art of the elite with the vibrant and meaningful folk art that resonates with the common people.
Art's Purpose: Moral and Spiritual Elevation: Tolstoy rejects the notion of "art for art's sake." For him, art is not merely for pleasure or entertainment. Its ultimate purpose is to contribute to the moral and spiritual betterment of humanity, fostering love, unity, and a deeper understanding of life.
Critique of "Beauty" and "Taste" as Art Criteria: Tolstoy argues that concepts like "beauty" and "taste" are subjective and fail to provide a consistent or objective standard for art. He dissects the circular reasoning often employed by art critics and theorists, where art is defined by what is considered beautiful or tasteful, and then what is considered beautiful or tasteful is declared art. He finds the prevailing definitions of beauty to be vague, contradictory, and ultimately unhelpful in understanding art's true purpose.

Key Themes and Concepts:

Sincerity (Pradhānikata/Satyaniṣṭhā): The artist's genuine emotional experience and sincere intention are paramount.
Universality (Sārvabhaumata): True art should be comprehensible and accessible to all people, transcending class and cultural boundaries.
Purposefulness (Prayojan): Art must serve a moral and spiritual purpose, aiming to unite people and elevate humanity.
Religious Consciousness (Dharmapratiṭī): Art's true value is tied to the highest spiritual or moral understanding of an era.
Critique of Elitism: Tolstoy strongly criticizes the art created for and by the elite, deeming it artificial, corrupt, and divorced from genuine human experience.
Infectiousness (Chepaśakti): The ability of an artwork to transmit the artist's genuine feeling to the audience, creating a shared emotional experience.

Structure of the Book (as indicated by the Table of Contents):

The book systematically explores Tolstoy's arguments, starting with defining art, questioning its association with beauty, and then delving into:

The origin of the question "What is Art?"
Whether art is solely about beauty.
The elusive nature of beauty itself.
The inadequacy of existing definitions.
Tolstoy's proposed definition of true art.
The reasons behind the inadequacy of previous definitions.
The "trinity" of new art (likely referring to sincerity, universality, and purpose).
The exclusivity and division created by contemporary art.
The poverty of subject matter in modern art.
The incomprehensibility of modern art.
The falseness and imitative nature of modern art.
The three causes of falseness (commercialism, criticism, and art schools).
An example of artifice (Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelung").
The truth, however bitter.
The sign of true art: its infectiousness.
The subject matter of true art.
The harmful consequences of the absence of true art.
The need to understand all this.
The art of the future.
Conclusion: Art and Science.

Overall Message:

"Kala Etle Shu" presents a radical re-evaluation of art, moving away from aesthetic appreciation towards a moral and utilitarian understanding. Tolstoy, through this work, advocates for art that is sincere, universal, and uplifting, serving as a bridge for human connection and spiritual growth. The Gujarati translation by Maganbhai Desai aims to make these profound ideas accessible to a wider audience, resonating with the principles of simple living, truth, and human welfare that are central to Gandhian philosophy.