Āścaryacūḍāmaṇi: Theme and Significance

Abstract

The Sanskrit drama is one of the ancient and rich artistic forms of Indian literature. The dramas are exclusively distinct in their techniques from those of other branches of literature. It comprises the ability to satiate the aesthetic and emotional needs of the spectators with different tastes. The saying of Kalidas that ‘nāṭyam bhinnarūcerjanasya bahudhāpyekaṃ samārādhanam’ (Māḷavikāgnimitram 1. 4. p. 272) is significant in this context. Numerous references can be found which substantiate the fact that dramas existed even before the time of the Ramayana. The Oriental and Occidental thinkers deemed the drama as the touchstone of one’s poetic skills. Maxims like ‘nāṭakāntam kavitvam’ (poethood is achieved with drama), kāvyeṣu nāṭakaṃ ramyam’ (drama is most exquisite among poetries) are evident enough to vindicate this fact. ‘rūpaka’ is the epithet that Indian exponents used to denote drama. The Nāṭyaśāstra gives an account of ten different kinds of rūpakas such as drama, prakaraṇa, etc.