Correct Option
The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Lilatilakam is a seminal treatise in the history of Indian literature, specifically associated with the evolution of the Malayalam language and the literary style known as Manipravalam. It played a crucial role in defining the grammar and poetics for literary composition in the Kerala region during the medieval period.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Lilatilakam is a fourteenth-century text, not a twelfth-century one. Furthermore, it is a treatise dealing with grammar and poetics, not astronomy. It lays down the rules for the Manipravalam style of writing.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The text was composed in the Manipravalam style. The term Manipravalam literally translates to "diamonds and corals" (or gems and corals). This metaphorical name signifies the blending of two distinct linguistic elements.
- Statement 3 is Correct. The "diamonds and corals" metaphor refers to the synthesis of Sanskrit and the regional language (Malayalam). This style involved the extensive use of Sanskrit words alongside the vernacular, creating a hybridized literary language used in courtly and religious texts.
Key Takeaway: The Lilatilakam is a 14th-century treatise on grammar and poetics that codified the Manipravalam style, representing a linguistic synthesis of Sanskrit and Malayalam.