Indological Studies

SR No.: 022756
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: H C Bhayani
Publisher: Parshva Prakashan
Publication Year: 1993
Total Pages: 376
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

Page 72

Literary and Performing Arts
entering character. It should be stressed at once that these verse descriptions are never naturalistic, matter-of-fact descriptions. They are always poetic. It is true that the verses of the first category impart necessary information to the audience and serve as verbal substitutes for some of the present-day stage-properties and accesories. But the verses of this type as also of the other two types essentially build up the emotional tone and atmosphere of the dramatic action, and contribute substantially to the sentiments of the drama. Only a systematic and detailed examination of Sanskrit dramatic works from this point of view can reveal the full range of the functions of the dramatic verse and the high significance of its multiple roles. Here we have only a very modest aim of presenting a few observations mainly on the third and occasionally on the second type of the verse functions mentioned above, on the basis of a few Sanskrit plays.
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(2)
For this purpose I have collected data from some of the plays attributed to Bhāsa, and from the Mahāviracarita, the Mịcchakațika and the Mudrārākşasa. In the following list I give drama-wise details of the characterizing verses.
Pratimā :
IV V
8 16,17
Lakşmaņa's description of Bharata. Rāvana's description of his own power and exploits. Kāñcukiya's description of Bharata.
VI
6
Abhiseka : I 11
Vāli's description of his own powers. Rāma's description of the fighting Vāli. Lakşmaņa's „ Sugrīva.
; ,, the fallen Vāli. Hanumat's description of Sitā.
„ „ Rāvaņa. The gardner's description of Rāvaņa.
II
7,8