RATNAVALI

 

RATNAVALI

          Ratnavali is the heroine of the play Ratnavali written by the great emperor HarshaVardhana of Kannauj.  The play is named Ratnavali after the Heroine.  The Rathnavali or the “Jewel-Necklace” is a drama in four Acts, it is so named after the Heroine, the Simhala Princess Ratnavali, whose union with the King Udayana of Kausambi forms the theme of the play. Though Ratnavali is the original name, she is called by everyone as Saagarikaa because she was rescued from the ocean in which the ship was wrecked while she came from Srilanka to Kausambi. She is described as young and an uncommonly beautiful princess charming and accomplished – one who captivates the Hero’s mind at the mere sight of her picture.

          Her character is not drawn to represent her in the glory of the maiden of high birth but to paint her in the grandeur of married life.  The chief noticeable thing about her is her great love for the King, with whom she falls in love at first sight, thinking him as handsome as Cupid.

          Her other trait is her extreme sensitiveness of feeling, and the slightest untoward incident plunges her into a depth of despondency so that she immediately thinks of death suicide. The following phrases -

“Sarvathaa maranameva mama mandhabhaaginyaa Upasthitham”

This means death itself has approached me, a luckless person, as indicated by this evil omen.

“JeevithaMaranayoranthare varthe” Means I stand between life and death.

“Varamidhaaneem svayamevaathmaanam abdhadhyoparathaa na punar jnaathasankethavrtthaanthayaa dhevyaa paribhoothaa” Means Better I should cease to exist (die) by hanging myself up, than be disgraced by the Queen on coming to know about our enragement-affair.

“Iyam rathnamaala jeevithaniraasayaa thayaa” Means This jewel-necklace was delivered into my hands by her, despairing of life” are the representations of weakness detract not a little from her character as a Heroine.

          The only receiving feature of her character indirectly indicated is her high sense of family honour which prevents her from disclosing her identity to even her friend Susangatha.

 

(I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z and hyperlink https://www.theblogchatter.com)