Mricchakatika (The Little Clay Cart) of Śūdraka

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 Mricchakatika (The Little Clay Cart), the most realistic of Indian dramas, is ascribed to Śūdraka,  According to  A. L. Basham  Śūdraka was probably Kalidasa’s approximate contemporary. The Sanskrit drama tells a story of the love of a poor Brahman Charudatta for a wealthy and virtuous courtezan Vasantasena.

The climax of the play is the trial scene after which Charudatta is saved from execution at the last moment. 

Mṛcchakaṭika is one of the most widely Sanskrit dramas performed on the European stage. 


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