Plot Construction of The Statue Play (Pratimanatakam)

 Plot Construction  of The Statue Play (Pratimanatakam)

Dr Swati Joshi

Gujarat 

The Play begins with the stage manager who as the same pattern of Bhasa prays to God- 

“May the Fortune of the Furrow guard us, he that is pleased with lovely verses, charming with his beauteous neck, and every auspicious mark; the supporter whose soul inspireth awe, matchless foe of him that made the goddess cry, may he protect us in every birth.”62 

The play begins with the description of preparation which is going on for the consecration of Rama by all his family members. Then on the other part of play there is a description of Sita who tries to wear bark dress given by her maid. Bhasa has given hint by the scene that soon there will be troubles in the life of Sita. This is again mythical concept of symbols. Then in the next scene Rama come to see Sita and declare that his consecration is cancel. The reason of his cancelation of his consecration is his mother Kaikeyi but Rama being good son does not considered that she is responsible for that as chamberlain believe that Kaikeyi is the cause of the cancelation of consecration. At that time Lakshman come in an angry mood and Rama tries to alleviate him. At last in act one the decision is taken by Sita and Lakshmana that they both will go with Rama for fourteen years in the forest. 

In Act two of the play there is a description of king Dashratha who is in woe because he has to give exile to his loveable son Ram, Lakshmana and Sita. His wives Kausalya and Sumitra try to console him. 

“Alas! My child! Rama! Delight of the eyes of all the worlds. Oh, Lakshmana, my child! Whose every limb bears auspicious marks. Oh, virtuous lady of Mithila with heart devoted to thy lord! Alas, alas, they have gone. Gone, woe is me, to the forest. My own children.”63 

King Dashratha was not able to bear the pain, loses consciousness and dies. His death shocks everybody. Ram, Sita and Lakshman have already gone for exile and do not know about the death of his father.

Third act deals with the glimpse of Statue gallery.  Bharat son of King Dashratha and Kaikeyi does not know about the death of his father because he resides with his uncle. After sometime he returns to Ayodhya without knowing anything about the whole situation. But the charioteer knows everything. The Charioteer was not having capacity to tell about three serious matter; first the death of father, second Kaikeyi’s demand to give kingship to his son Bharat and third the exile of Ram, Sita and Lakshman for fourteen years. Soon the charioteer takes Bharat to sculpture gallery that seems akin to temple. The Sculpture gallery is the symbol of great warriors of  Ikshvaku clan who passed away. The names are also given in this act as Dilipa, Raghu, Aja, his forefathers and grandfather. When Bharat was visiting the statue gallery then suddenly he sees the statue of his father but he tries to ignore. Soon after this incident the three queens of King Dashrath come there and make Bharat believe that his father is no more and the statue in gallery symbolizes his death. After listing this Bharat become restless and shows eagerness to know everything. After knowing everything he curses his own mother Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi tries to explain but Bharat refuses to listen. Bharat takes the decision to go back and bring Rama, Sita and Lakshmana from the forest and to break the exile pledge. 

In the next act Bharata goes to visit Rama in the forest and requests him to come back to Ayodhya and be the king. But Rama convinces him that they will not come because it is a tribute to his father. At last Bharata has no option and then he demands Rama’s sandals to keep on the chair of King. Soon Bharat come back to Ayodhya. 

The fifth act describes the conversation between Rama and Sita about the rituals which will be done for his father’s memory. Then there is an entry of Ravana, king of Lanka who disguise himself and give indication to Rama that there is a golden deer in the Himalaya which is unusual. Then Rama becomes ready to chase the deer and with the help of magic of illusion Ravana created deer. Rama become busy in chasing the deer and Ravana takes the opportunity of it and takes away Sita by slaughtering Jatayu. 

Sixth act deals with the battle view between Ravana and the Jatayu describe by two old men. Then soon the act part changed to Ayodhya where Sumantra gives the news to Bharat that Sita is kidnapped by Ravana. Bharat become angry and once again blame his own mother Kaikeyi that she is the only responsible woman for all horrible incidents. Kaikeyi tries to explain but Bharat does not want to listen anything and curses her. After many struggles Bharat come to know that someone has given curse on his father that Dashrath (his father) will take his last breath in pain for his sons.

“That sooth- speaking sage when he made an end of weeping declared, ‘Like me, sir, shalt thou perish through grief for thy son.”64 

Rama’s exile is because of the curse and not because of his mother Kaikai or her demand for supremacy. Then Kaikai tries to explain Bharat. But Bharat said that fourteen year is a long time then she explains. 

“Oh, my child, it was fourteen days I meant to say, but in the confusion of my mind the fourteen years slipped out.”65 

After getting this explanation Bharat is somewhere satisfied and tries to conquer Ravana. 

The seventh act depicts the killing of Ravana and the arrival of Rama with Sita to the kingdom. Bharat was eagerly waiting for Rama and Sita to welcome them with huge army and cleric to bless Rama and to give his kingdom back. Rama consecrated at last and the end come with the blessing and congratulating chorus song. 

“As Rama was united with Janaka’s daughter and his kin, so may our king rule the earth in conjunction with the goddess of beauty and prosperity”66 

Dr Swati Joshi

Gujarat