भट्टनारायणस्य रूपकम् - BHATTANARAYANA'S PLAY

                                                          

            Battanarayana is the author of Venisamharam - ‘vaoNaIsaMharma\’ in six acts describing the events of Mahabharatam leading to the winding up of the braid of Draupadi by Bhima. She untied it in the gambling hall swearing that she would not tie it till Duryodhana’s death. Bhima kills Duryodhana and ties her braid. Hence the title. This incident is the creation of the dramatist. Bhima is glorified and contrasted from the weak Duryodhana whose sensuous love is depicted in the second act. The chief merit of this play is individuality of character. The main sentiment is heroism.  Bhattanarayana’s style belongs to Gauda type. His language is forcible and vigorous. He was invited by the King Adisura of Bengal to perform a sacrifice to avert the evil effects of the famine. This King lived about 650 A.D. Vamana (800 A.D.) is the earliest rhetorician to quote him. Hence his date may be fixed at 650 A.D.