Bhatta Narayana Mrigaraja's six-act nataka, Venisamhara i.e. 'Tying of the Braid', is based on the incident in the Mahabharata in which Dussasana forcibly untied Draupadi's hair and garments in Duryodhana's court, and Bhima vowed that her hair would not be braided again save by his own hands wet with the blood of Duryodhana and Dussasana. Narayana powerfully delineates the raudra i.e. furious and vira i.e. heroic rasas. His language and dialogue are vigorous. Later theoreticians of dramaturgy criticized him for introducing an episode of love between Duryodhana and his queen Bhanumati, contrary to the spirit of a play abounding in vira and raudra rasa. The conclusion has also been considered loose. Nevertheless, the dramatic force of the plot and Narayana's successful attempt to present a most pathetic episode in a theatrical form must be recognized. This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com |