ALLEGORICAL PLAYS IN SANSKRIT

 

Allegorical plays in Sanskrit Drama Literature Introduction: Allegorical dramas in Sanskrit Literature a symbolic meaning with philosophical ideas at the background. Many scholars have observed that the poet अश्वघोषःAswaghosha has used the allegory in his dramas. In these type of dramas, more than the hero or other characters, the story embedded with a moral plays an important role. Through the characters of the play, a philosophical truth is established in the minds of readers. Prabodha Chandrodayam, Sankalpa Suryodayam, Chaitanya Chandrodayam, Amritodayam are such examples for the allegorical dramas. 

1. प्रबोधचन्द्रोदयम् Prabodha Chandrodayam: This is a unique drama in Sanskrit literature, written by Sri Krishna Mishra in 11th century A.D. There are six acts in this play and the theme of this play is that a war takes place between discrimination – विवेकः Viveka and ignorance – महामोहः Maha Moha. The war ends with the rise of Prabodha – प्रबोधः wisdom at the end. In this drama we see Mind has two wives-प्रवृत्तिः Activity and निवृत्तिः Repose. Confusion is the son of Pravritti and Discrimination is the son of Nivritti. These Page 31 two kings Moha and Viveka are always in clash and conflict and each of them always eager to increase their wealth and power that is their superiority. The assistants of Moha are कामः Kama, रतिः Rati, क्रोधः Krodha, अहिंसा Himsa, अहङ्कारः Ahamkara, दम्भः Dambha, लोभःLobha etc. With the help of these assistants Moha tried to defeat Viveka. On the other hand followers of Viveka are मतिः Mati, धर्मः Dharma, मैत्री Maitri, सन्तोषः Santosh, श्रद्धा Sraddha, क्षमा Kshama, भवतः Bhakti, उपविषद्Upanisad, वस्तुविचारः Vastuvichara etc. The battle field was Varanasi, By the help of Goddess Sarawati, Viveka’s group easily defeated चार्वाकः Charvak and other atheists. They were fully defeated. Also the inner foes such as Kama was also washed away by Kshama and Santosh. Last of all Viveka and Upanisad united eternally and Prabodhchandrodaya (Moonrise of true knowledge) appeared. Krishnamishra presents the theory of अद्वैतसिद्धान्तः Advaita Vedanta in his drama. It is an allegory based on philosophy. The dramatist is successful in his creation. There are variations of characters and incidents. But the dramaturgy is not hampered any where. He is unique and original in his thoughts of drama and its weaving. In this drama शान्तरसः Santa Rasa Page 32 (Sentiment)is mainly presented. But हास्यम् Hasya and other रसाः Rasas also we get here. 

2. सङ्कल्पसूयोदयम् Sankalpa Suryodayam : is the another allegorical play written by a Vaishnavite scholar श्रीमद्वेदान्तदेशिकः Sri Vedanta Desika – born in Kanchipuram of Tamilnadu. Through this drama, author tries to establish विशिष्टाद्वैतसिद्धान्तः Vishtadvaita Philosophy of Sri Ramanujacharya. The time of this play is calculated as 13th century A.D and the author has followed the style used by Krishna Mishra in the previous drama. 

3. A drama named चैतन्यचन्द्रोदयम्Chaitanya Chandrodayam, written in 16th Century A.D by the author कविकर्णपूरः Kavi Karna Pura is also an allegorical play. This drama depicts the Bhakti movement followed by श्रीचैतन्यमहाप्रभुः Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu of Bengal region. 

4. A play named अमृतोदयम्Amritodayam, written by the poet गोकुलनाथः Gokulanatha of 17th century A.D depicts the beauty of allegory. This drama is also propagating the teachings of Advaita Philosophy through the theme.

HAPPY ENDINGS BY MINITA SANGHVI

 

Author - MINITA SANGHVI

Genre - Literary & Contemporary fiction - Romance

Publisher - Harper Collins

Book buy link - @Amazon

The romantic novel HAPPY ENDINGS by MINITA SANGHVI befits all the characteristics feature of the genre. A book of romance covers all the incidents that usually occur in the love life of two people. The love that started from  the childhood, how it evolved, expressed, and engaged for the rest of the life is finely put into words with touch of delicate emotions and sentiments.

The book is published by Harper Collins India who has successful expertise in the publishing field with 30 years of work. The book is considered to be the first lesbian romance novel to be published in India states the Google.

The Author Minita Sanghvi loves reading, writing and learning. She holds a PhD from University of North Carolina Greensboro and a Graduate certificate in Feminist Studies from Duke.

The Novel Happy endings carries the Indian love story with apt usage of Hindi words, Bolly wood director, actor, writer and the media as well as the relatives & neighbors which is a definite style to keep the Indian readers engaged till the end. 

I quote "Monday morning there was a theory brewing on the internet fueled by pictures from the Big B Award and Allie's Instagram picture with the four of them. Some one had pointed out that after that night Allie had broken up with Krish. And that Kabeer and Mahek were now broken up. And was Krish responsible for this ?"

A dramatic love story of a bolly wood film star and an award winning author is presented before the readers fully packed with all the essentials of a powerful romantic drama.

The book has little more than 300 pages with a fine diction and firm plot. It has a page The director, an epilogue,  Author's note  along with the details of the author and the publisher. All the 27 chapters move ahead in a steady speed in the company of the good number of characters.

The author takes the readers through Classics both in Bolly wood and Literature.  Few lines from the Lyrics of Bolly wood Icon Raj Kapor's songs  leave a lasting impression of the strong romantic feel of the characters.

With regard to Literature author first connects to Shakespeare's Romeo Juliet as they were considered as the epitome of Love, but gently moves on  later to justify the title with the support of the Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Here I quote :

'She got out her copy of Romeo Juliet and was about to put the rose in it when Krish cried out loudly, "stop! What are you doing?"

"What ? what happened?" Mahi looked up, confused.

"Not in that ! That's a tragedy! They both die. Here, Krish quickly pulled another of Mahi's book out of her school bag and handed it to her.

"Pride and Prejudice?"

It has a happy ending. Don't you want a happy ending to your love story?" Krsih looked at Mahi meaning fully.  Ahh, finally, thought Mahi."

Pride and prejudices and Romeo Juliet are from Comedy and Tragedy -the two genres of literature that traces their origins back to the Ancient Greece. In simple terms, the main difference between comedy and tragedy is that the comedy is a humorous story with a happy ending while a tragedy is a serious story with a sad ending.

In general happy endings are preferred by many as they provide hope, instilling the belief that obstacles can be overcome, love can last, fences can be mended, and good can triumph.

Here also the author is successful in instilling the seed of hope and triumph.

(  This blog post  is a part of Blog Chatter's book review-  https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review-program-from-blogchatter)

विशाखदत्तस्य रूपकम् मुद्राराक्षसम् - MUDRA-RAAKSHASAM THE PLAY OF VISAAKHADATTHA

                                                      

            Vasakhadatta is the author of the play called ‘maud`araxasama\\’ (Mudrarakshasam). It consists of seven acts. It depicts the attempt of Chanakya for compelling ‘raxasa:’ (Rakshasa) the hereditary minister of Nanda’s to become the minister of ChandraGupta Maurya. In this attempt Chanakya succeeds by a series of devices employing his signet ring ³mauda`´ of Rakshasa himself. Hence the title Mudrarakshsam is given to the play. ‘ivaSaaKd<a:’ must have lived before 573 A.D., the year of death of the great astronomer Varahamihira. ‘ivaSaaKd<a:’ describes in his drama the city Pataliputra as prosperous and a flourishing city. During the visit of Chinese pilgrim Heuen Tsang the city was in ruins while it was in a flourishing condition during the visit of Fa-hien about 400 A.D. All these prove that ‘ivaSaaKd<a:’ must have lived in the 4^th Century A.D., under the Gupta emperors.

‘ivaSaaKd<a:’s Mudrarakshasasam is one of very rare plays with apurely political theme. Subtle plot construction and the well-knit scenes give an individual stamp to the play. The style of the play is simple, full of vigour and force.

For more details about the play and its author read here. 

The contents of the Acts can be read in detail here.