Drama (नाट्यम्)

The essentials

Sanskrit drama is called रूपकम् or दृश्यकाव्यम् (poetry that is seen). Its theory is laid down in भरतमुनि's नाट्यशास्त्रम्. The most important type of रूपक is the नाटकम्, which takes a well-known story (प्रख्यातवृत्तम्) and a noble hero. Class 12 dramatic selections are scenes from classical plays, read for plot, character and dramatic technique.

Key points

• नान्दी: benedictory verse at the very beginning. सूत्रधारः: the stage-manager who opens the play. प्रस्तावना: the prologue in which he introduces the play.
• विदूषकः: the hero's comic Brahmin companion.
• भरतवाक्यम्: the closing blessing at the end of the play.
• Stage directions: स्वगतम् (aside, spoken to oneself), प्रकाशम् (aloud), अपवार्य (turning away so that one character does not hear), जनान्तिकम् (private words to one person among several), आकाशभाषितम् (talking to someone off-stage, imagining the reply), नेपथ्ये (from behind the curtain), प्रविश्य (entering), निष्क्रान्ताः सर्वे (all exit).
• Acts are अङ्काः; अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तलम् has seven acts.
• Women and lower-status characters usually speak Prakrit; kings and Brahmins speak Sanskrit.
• Major plays: अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तलम्, विक्रमोर्वशीयम्, मालविकाग्निमित्रम् (कालिदासः); स्वप्नवासवदत्तम्, प्रतिज्ञायौगन्धरायणम् (भासः); मृच्छकटिकम् (शूद्रकः); उत्तररामचरितम् (भवभूतिः); मुद्राराक्षसम् (विशाखदत्तः).
• Classical Sanskrit drama generally avoids a tragic ending.

Exam tips

• Questions often give a stage direction and ask its meaning, or ask who speaks a line to whom.
• Learn the author and the hero/heroine of each major play.

Common mistakes

• Confusing नान्दी (opening) with भरतवाक्यम् (closing).