Page 273 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

Unit 19: Chitra by Rabindranath Tagore: Detailed Study

• The play opens with Chitra meeting Madana. the God of love and Vasanta. the God of Spring. Notes
She tells them that while following a deer along the bank of the river, she has caught sight of a
man lying on a bed of leaves. He is no other than Arjuna. She feels instantaneously that she is a
woman. She remembers that Arjuna has taken the vow of celibacy.
• She removes her man’s attire and proceeds quickly to meet Arjuna in the temple of Shiva. She
begs the God of Spring to grant her one brief day of perfect beauty. Her prayer is granted and
Arjuna too, having come under the spell of Madana, is smitten with love for Chitra. But their
love is not for a home. She asks Arjuna to take the garland of flowers. She feels tired and appeals
to him to take her into his arms. The sound of the prayer bells is heard from the distant village-
temple as twilight approaches.
• Their physical enjoyment is full to the brim and they have no regrets. She comes down from the
world of dreams, poetry and romance to the world of reality. Arjuna considers her Goddess
hidden within a golden image. In spite of her imperfection, he finds in her an incarnation of
nobility and grandeur. Arjuna feels that his life is full. (It is fruitful and complete). Chitra feels
that she is simply the daughter of a king.

19.3 Key-Words

1. Spurious : False
2. Chastity : Celibacy
3. Barque : Ship or boat
4. Crickets : Small singing creatures

19.4 Review Questions

1. Explain the following lines:
(i) The barque of joy came in sight but the waves would not let it touch the shore.
(ii) A limitless life of glory can bloom and spend itself in a morning.
2. Explain Tagore’s play as a lyrical drama.
3. “Chitra” is a play built and many levels. It is a drama of youth, it is a drama of growth. Explain.
4. “Chitra” is a thing of beauty. It presents an evolution of human love from the physical to the
spiritual. Elucidate.
Answers: Self-Assessment
1. Madana 2. Cupid’s 3. Shiva 4. Arjuna

19.5 Further Readings

1. “English for Competitive Exams” By Dr. R.P. Bhatnagar
2. “Unique Quintessence of General English” Edited By Dr. S. Sen and Others and
revised by Dr. G.S. Mansukhani.

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