This work of poetic criticism by Vidwan P.G. Nair is a treatise on poetics written in the mid-20th century. It defines literature in a simple manner while engaging in a discussion of poetic ornamentation (alankara), making it a useful reference book for students of literature. The book begins its exploration of poetics by highlighting the importance of simile (upama). To emphasize the comprehensive significance of the simile, it presents well-known examples such as the face and the moon, showing how simile evolves into other figures of speech. This approach will be particularly engaging for students interested in poetic ornamentation. The content is presented in a way that explains figures of speech clearly to learners. Accordingly, a large number of examples are included—mostly drawn from literary works that are emotionally resonant for Malayalees, such as poems from the Krishnagadha, Sahityamanjari, Keshaveeyam, Bandhanasthanaya Anirudhan, and Umakeralam.
