Two Plays of Ramacandra: An Aesthetic Study
By G. K. Bhat
Summary
Two Plays of Ramacandra: An Aesthetic Study examines two Sanskrit plays attributed to the dramatist Ramacandra. The study places these dramas in the long tradition of Sanskrit theatre and demonstrates how their thematic content, characterisation and stylistic devices illustrate classical Indian theories of drama and poetics. Bhat analyses the narrative structure of each play and shows how the playwright integrates mythological material from the Ramayana and other epics with original dramatic inventions to depict moral dilemmas and the triumph of dharma. He explains how the plays achieve rasa, the aesthetic emotion considered the soul of Indian drama, through their careful orchestration of plot, dialogue and stage directions. The paper also surveys the historical context of Ramacandra’s work, comparing it with contemporaneous plays and placing it in the broader development of Sanskrit dramatic literature. In assessing the plays’ literary merit, Bhat emphasises the author’s skill in handling metre, yamaka (alliteration) and varied poetic figures while maintaining dramatic tension. He notes that although Ramacandra’s plays are rooted in religious themes, they display an uncommon psychological realism in their treatment of heroism, devotion, jealousy and repentance. The essay concludes that these works represent a synthesis of traditional aesthetics with a fresh dramatic vision, and their study helps elucidate the evolution of Sanskrit theatre and its enduring appeal.
Conclusion
Bhat’s assessment underscores the importance of Ramacandra’s plays in Sanskrit theatre. By integrating mythological narratives with a keen sense of character and artistic technique, the plays achieve enduring aesthetic power. Their sophisticated use of metre, dramatic structure and poetics illustrates the vitality of classical Indian drama in the medieval period and invites further comparative study of neglected Sanskrit playwrights.