A Sanskrit play by Banabhatta ‘Kadambani’ was staged on Sunday by the students of Madhya Pradesh School of Drama (MPSD). The play was performed at Rangashree little Ballet Troupe premises.
The play is adapted from Kadambari is a romantic novel in Sanskrit. It was substantially composed by Banabhatta in the first half of the 7th century CE. The play was directed bt Sanjay Upadhya, director of MPSD.
There is a valiant king named Shudraka, who rules over a vast and prosperous kingdom with the capital city of Vidisha. To King Shudraka comes a girl from the caste of untouchables and gives him a talking parrot. At the request of Shudraka, the parrot tells that, he barely escaped the mountaineers-hunters and took refuge in the cloister of the wise-visionary Jambadi. Jambali told the parrot about his past births, for the sins of which he suffers in a bird’s guise.
Once in the city of Ujjaini, King Tarapid reigned, who had no children for a long time. One day he saw in a dream how a full month entered the mouth of his wife Vilasavati, and when, after this miraculous sign, his son was born, he called him Chandrapida. At the same time Minister Tarapida Shukanasy also has a son Vayshampayana, and from early childhood he becomes Chandrapida’s closest friend.
When Chandrapida grew, Tarapida anointed him as the heir to the kingdom, and Chandrapida, together with Vaishampayana at the head of a mighty army, went on a campaign to conquer the world. On their expedition, Chandrapaida meets Mahsweta who narrates her sad love story and that his lover Pundariku is taken to the heavens.
During this time he meets Mahashweta’s friend Kadambari and falls in love. The fate had similar plans for them as Mahashweta and Pundariku. Chandrapida had to leave to his palace, leaving his best friend Vayshampayana behind as the head of the army.
Vayshampayana had evil intentions against Mahashweta. Angered by his intentions Mahashweta curses him that he will become a parrot in next life. As soon as she curses, he died. Chandrapida listening to his friend’s fate becomes lifeless and Kadambari tries to commite suicide.
After many incidents the four lovers, Kadambari and Chandrapida, Mahashweta and Pundariku unites.