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Gowher Ahmad Naik, Lovely Professional University Unit 19: Chitra by Rabindranath Tagore: Detailed Study

Unit 19: Chitra by Rabindranath Tagore: Detailed Study Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
19.1 Tagore’s play Chitra with Critical Remarks
19.2 Summary
19.3 Key-Words
19.4 Review Questions
19.5 Further Readings

Objectives

After reading this unit students will be able to:
• Introduce the play ‘Chitra’.
• Discuss the Play ‘Chitra’.
Introduction

Chitra is doubtless the most fascinating and the most satisfying of Tagore’s plays. It is his loveliest
drama, a lyrical feast. It is beautiful, touching, of one texture of simplicity throughout and within its
limits a perfect piece of art. Behind the apparent simplicity of structure there is clarity of vision and
maturity of art.
Chitra is not a play of action, but a play of feeling, a play of carnival delight and external identity. The
central theme of the play is love. It is in this fullness of love in which man and woman share equally that
the message of the drama ‘Chitra’ is contained. The play is marked by a subtle interplay of mood within
mood. It is a genuine symbolic play, yielding more meaning at every successive reading. The world of
Chitra is the world of mythology and tradition. It is a drama of youth; it is a drama of growth.
Tagore represents the symbolism in Chitra—namely the symbolism of the human psyche of youth
and growth. He refers to the symbols— “The organic world” of flower and fruit and plant and creature.
There are also the symbols of metaphysical passions of “illusion and reality.”’ Again he has also
stated the symbols of mythological consciousness of Madana and Vasanta and the beloved elves. The
whole point of the play is that youth itself is a sudden spring-time miracle, for it comes as it were
suddenly and fades away as suddenly, as unaccountably. This lyrical drama is based on the following
story of the Mahabharata.
In the course of his wanderings, in fulfilment of a vow of penance, Arjuna comes to Manipur. There
he sees Chitrangada, the beautiful daughter of Chitravahana, the king of the country. Smitten with
her charms, he asks the king for the hand of his daughter in marriage. Chitravahana asks him who he
is and learning that he is Arjuna, the pandava tells him that Prabhanjana, one of his ancestors, in the
kingly line of Manipur, had, long been childless. In order to obtain an heir, he performed severe
penances. Pleased with these austerities, the God Shiva gave him the boon that he and his successors
shall each have one child. It so happens that the promised child has invariably been a son. He,
Chitravahana, is the-first to have only a daughter. Chitrangada to perpetuate the race. He has therefore
always treated her as a son and has made her his heir. Continuing, the king says : “The one son that
will be born to her must be the perpetuator of my race. That son will be the price that I shall demand
for this marriage. You can take her if yon like, on this condition.”
Arjuna promises and takes Chitrangada to wife and lives in his father’s capital for three years. When
a son is born to them, he embraces her with affection, and taking leave of her and her father sets out
again on his travels.

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