A Computational Algorithm based on Empirical Analysis, that Composes Sanskrit Poetry

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel computational algorithm that converts prose into Sanskrit poetry by applying prosodic rules, handling sandhi, and providing poet suggestions, with an interactive and speech interface for accessibility.

Contribution

The work introduces the first algorithm for Sanskrit verse composition from prose, incorporating speed optimization, poet interaction, and speech recognition for visually impaired users.

Findings

Successfully converts prose to Sanskrit poetry respecting prosodic rules

Provides real-time suggestions when input cannot be versified

Includes speech recognition for dictation by visually impaired users

Abstract

Poetry-writing in Sanskrit is riddled with problems for even those who know the language well. This is so because the rules that govern Sanskrit prosody are numerous and stringent. We propose a computational algorithm that converts prose given as E-text into poetry in accordance with the metrical rules of Sanskrit prosody, simultaneously taking care to ensure that sandhi or euphonic conjunction, which is compulsory in verse, is handled. The algorithm is considerably speeded up by a novel method of reducing the target search database. The algorithm further gives suggestions to the poet in case what he/she has given as the input prose is impossible to fit into any allowed metrical format. There is also an interactive component of the algorithm by which the algorithm interacts with the poet to resolve ambiguities. In addition, this unique work, which provides a solution to a problem that has never been addressed before, provides a simple yet effective speech recognition interface that would help the visually impaired dictate words in E-text, which is in turn versified by our Poetry Composer Engine.