The word alankar means embellishment and it is always associated with the beautification of the work of art.

But this word doesnot indicate only the mere embellishment in the work of art. Because this has been defined in a curious manner by so many different scholars. The concept of alankar was crystallized in the 12th century in the alankarsasthra by Raghav Rao. Earlier the soul importance was given to the Sanskrit kavyas basing on the presence of alankar in them. And accordingly the kavyas were divided as Uttamkavya, Madhyamkavya and Adhamkavya. The concept of alankar perfors a number of classifications in order to study Sanskrit poetics, but among them three of them are considered to be primary importance. They are:-

a. Sabda alankar (decoration of the word or the form) b. Artha alankar (decoration of the meaning or content) c.Ubhaya alankar (decoration of both word and meaning) Sabda alankar relates to the ornamentation of the form in a work of art because form is the most important quality. Like wise words are very important and in Sanskrit poetics there are two important aspects. They are (a) Yamaka (b) Anuprasa, which are very vital in creating sabda alankar. In the former the words are arranged in such a pattern that the poetry gives a lyrical feeling to the reader or the listener. It is the most important sabda alankar in te the Sanskrit poetry. The later

anuprasa indicates the repetition of the particular work again and again in a poetry which brings a beautiful auditory experience. The scholar say that both this type have their own significance and by using sabda alankar a magic is created such that the entire content of the poem is not understood by the reader then also he or she is able to derive the same aesthetic pleasure. Artha alankar is slightly complicated then the sabda alankar and they are classified into a. Upama b. Upameya

The former indicate the standard of comparison. The later indicates the subject of comparison.

In the earlier the alankar sashtra was an important source in the process of art making and it was compulsory for every artist to study this text as a part of initiation.