Mruccha Katikam

Author(s): Sudraka, Prithvidhara, Hiranand Mulraja Sarma, Kashinath Pandurang Parab
Publisher: Tukaram Javaji

Page 19

PREFACE.
ix
to which it is only an appendage. There is considerable variety of character amongst the inferior persons of the drama and the two captains of the watch and the two Chândâlas are plainly discriminated. The superior characters are less varied but they are national portraitures and offer singular combinations: the tenderness and devotion of Vasantasenâ seem little compatible with her profession and the piety and gravity of Chârudatta still less so with his love.
The master piece of the play, however, Samsthâna, A character so utterly contemptible has perhaps been scarcely ever delineated: his vices are egregious, he is coldly and cruelly malicious and yet he is so frivolous as scarcely to excite our indignation; anger were wasted on one so despicable; and without any feeling of compassion for his fate, we are quite disposed, when he is about to suffer the merited punishment of his crimes, to exclaim with Chârudatta 'Loose him and let him go'."* The work seems to be incomparable in point of its action which is life-like and free from such exaggerations and superhuman agencies as sometimes mar the beauty of dramas. It will not be unjust, however, to remark that it lacks comparisions like those of Kâlidâsa and weighty expressions like those of Bhavabhuti and other beautiful figures whose absence sometimes grieves an erudite heart.
Notwithstanding all this it may be fairly said that the "clay cart" is marked by originality and good sense and is unique in its specialities. It furnishes an interesting picture of the kind of luxury that prevailed in those days. Altogether this play abounds in comic situations, besides containing many serious scenes, some of which even border on the tragic. Its author is pre-eminent among Indian playwrights for the distinctively dramatic qualities of vigour, life and action, no less than sharpness of characterisation, being thus allied in genius to Shakespeare."+
*Wilson, Theatre of the Hindus. Vol. I.
†A. A. Macdonell-Sanskrit Literature, p. 360.
b