Outstanding Linguistic Features of the Sattakas

Summary

In this study Chandramouli S. Naikar investigates the linguistic features of six Prakrit dramatic works collectively known as the Sattakas: the Karpuramañjarī of Rājaśekhara (10th century), Rambhamañjarī of Nāyacandra (15th century), Candralekhā of Rudradāsa (17th century), Vilāsavatī of an anonymous author, Ratnāvalī (often attributed to Harṣa but adapted into Prakrit) and one more fragmentary play. These plays, though less famous than Sanskrit dramas, represent a distinct genre that combines prose and verse and exhibits unique linguistic traits. Naikar begins by outlining the historical context of the Sattakas and their role in courtly entertainment. He emphasises that studying them can illuminate the evolution of Prakrit dialects and the interaction between spoken and literary registers. The article analyses vocabulary, syntax and phonology across the six works. Naikar notes a marked preference for Eastern Māhārāṣṭrī and Jain Śaurasenī dialects, interspersed with Sanskrit loanwords and regional expressions. The plays employ simple sentence structures, direct dialogue and colloquial idioms that make them accessible to audiences. At the same time, they display poetic devices such as alliteration, similes and metaphors characteristic of classical literature. Naikar identifies certain morphological features—such as the retention of archaic pronominal forms and the use of enclitic particles—that distinguish the Sattakas from other Prakrit texts. He also comments on the treatment of gender and number agreement, noting inconsistencies that may reflect spoken usage. By comparing the Sattakas with contemporary Sanskrit plays and Jain prose narratives, the author argues that these works occupy a transitional space between formal literary Prakrit and vernacular speech. Their linguistic hybridity reveals the fluid boundaries of language in premodern India and the adaptability of playwrights to audience expectations. Naikar suggests that the Sattakas served as a bridge for non‑elite audiences to access courtly themes and that their language influenced later vernacular literatures. The study concludes that more philological work on these plays, including critical editions and translations, is needed to appreciate their contribution to Indian literary history.