Indological Studies

Author(s): H C Bhayani
Publisher: Parshva Prakashan

Page 76

66
III
V
3535
17
30
The Kañcukin's description of Candragupta.
23
Cāṇakya. Candragupta's description of the indignant
99
Literary and Performing Arts
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Canakya.
13
Rakṣasa's description of Malayaketu.
Data can be collected on these lines from other dramas also.
(3)
An examination of these verses reveals their different types and characteristics. We can broadly distinguish the following categories. By means of such a verse (or verses)
(1) a character already present on the stage describes another character which is just making an entry;
(2) a character which has just made its entry describes some character already present on the stage;
(3) a character making entry gives self-introduction;
(4) a character on the stage describes either another character under particular circumstances or in a particular situation, on the stage or off the stage.
These diffrent categories serve a number of dramatic functions: (1) The first and the third categories serve to identify the new character for the spectators.
(2) The first and the second categories serve to indicate one character's impression and reaction with regard to another character, thereby preparing the spectators for the subsequent course of action as also for the attitudes taken by the characters, with regard to each other. They may also serve to indicate in what light the character is intended by the dramatist to be taken.
(3) In a number of cases the situation is such that the character already present on the stage is a stranger to the entering character, and it describes the powerful impression the latter makes on itself. This serves to intensify dramatic surprise created by the subsequent recognition or identifi cation.