Both a memoir of the author's journey and a handbook for artists, this edition explores the mystery of creativity and teaches essential principles of the writing life.

"This is a study of the heroic poetry of an ancient people of South India which had previously been largely neglected. The author has approached the poems afresh by relating them to many important studies of heroic poetry in other languages, especially the Greek, which has enabled him to place them in a proper perspective. The book attempts both to introduce and interpret ancient Tamil poems. The comparative method helps to throw new light on a number of unsolved problems in the study of early Tamil poetry, and makes a distinct contribution to our understanding of the bards and bardic traditions of early times and of their social function. It is an 'application in depth' of the methodology evolved by such pioneers as Radlov, the Chadwicks, and Milman Parry in their studies of oral poetry" -- Provided by publisher.