The Shattered Thigh and Other Plays by Bhasa


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ProductID: 24130 - Paperback - 127 Pages (Year: 2008)
Penguin ~ ISBN: 0143104306

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Indiaclub.com Description

A selection of the earliest existing plays by a major dramatist in classical Sanskrit

Bhasa is one of the most celebrated names in classical Sanskrit literature. He lived and wrote about two thousand years ago. Though his dates have not been conclusively established, it is certain that Bhasa preceded Kalidasa, the great poet and dramatist of ancient India, who has praised Bhasa by name in one of his own plays.

Bhasa's works were considered lost and it was only in the beginning of the twentieth century that some of his plays were recovered. Six of these, which form the present collection, are based on the Mahabharata, which provides a thematic unity to the plays. Bhasa's strengths were his skilful melding of dialogue, legend and dramatic action. The comparatively short and fast-paced plays in The Shattered Thigh are remarkable in their nearness to modern idiom despite their antiquity.

Of the six plays in this collection four—The Middle One, The Envoy, The Message and Karna's Burden—are one-act plays evoking tragic and heroic emotions. Five Nights and The Shattered Thigh have three and two acts respectively. The latter is a tragedy in which the hero dies on stage, an innovation that is very unusual in Sanskrit drama.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the New Edition
Introduction

The Middle One
Madhyama Vydyoga

Five Nights
Pancharatram

Thew Envoy
Dut Yakyam

The Message
Duta Ghatotkacham

Karna's Burden
Karnabharam

The Shattered Thigh
Urubhangam

Notes to Introduction

About the Author

BHASA is a celebrated dramatist with considerable originality. While borrowing themes from the epics he makes variations in order to make them dramatically suitable. His plays are noted for their speedy action and movement. Many of the characters, themselves, are heroes of action. He shows originality in endowing even the traditionally wicked heroes like Duryodhana and Ravana with redeeming qualities.

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