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and the experience of Dante the spiritual destination of Bhavadeva was now on found in a different level. It was sought in the perfection of knowledge as concomitant for the perception of the true nature of all existences. No more a reluctant participant, he was henceforth a true follower of the doctrine of the Nirgrantha.
JAIN JOURNAL
The story of Nagila as presented by Sri Lalwani has some beautiful moments of both dramatic and lyrical interest. The stage version produced under direction of Sri Rajendra Sharma and Srimati Indrani Raychoudhuri evinced a high standard and a charming sensitivity not only in visualising a cameo of love and conflict, but also in the attention given in respect of details ranging from the costume and the coiffure with its beautiful braids to the restrain shown with regards to the theme shimmering with love and shadowed with pathos. In every situation there was a touch of finesse and a discerning mind. Among all performarces the role of Nagila played by Kumari Padma Saraogi will be remembered for many days. With her willowy figure and a beautiful countenance as if emerging from a Pahari master-piece Kumari Saraogi gave a charming interpretation of the inner glory of love as envisaged by the play-wright. The histrionic talent evinced by her was so captivating that, perhaps not a few discovered in her a talent of great promise. The part played by Kumari Anjula Nahata as Bhavadeva was also appropriate in its scope. The appearance of Kumari Bina Jain as Sramana Bhavadatta and the role of Sudeva played by Kumari Sandhya Lunia complemented the narration, and the atmosphere. The representation of Sudeva's wife and Pundarika respectively by Kumari Bina Jain and Kumari Usha Daga also appeared faithful in the perspective of the drama. Two other small roles of the flower-seller and of the young woman selling bangles (curiwali) were engaging in their appeal which temporarily relieved the deeper tones of the play. The absent-minded flower-seller eager to present a blue flower to Nagila following instruction of Bhavadeva and the easy eloquence of the curiwalt praising the hues of her ornaments at the moment when the lady sadly felt herself forsaken brought about a variegated interest and portraiture. The roles of the flower-seller and the curiwali were played respectively by Kumari Sulochana Bachhawat and by Kumari Kavita Mahrotra. The easy grace of Kumari Mahrotra in personifying the traditional bangle-seller with her eloquence and blarney very much endeared herself to the audience. When she prettily squatted on the floor and brought down her basket containing her wares and began to describe their multi-coloured splendour the expressiveness conquered the viewer. The acting ability of such a small girl reached the height of talent. In a former occasion on 7th Januury 1975 when Sramana Udayi also composed by Sri Lalwani and
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