Introduction (5): Dramatis personae

DRAMATIS PERSONAE MEN (i) All Speakers of Sanskrit Sutra-dhara-The Manager of the play. Dusyanta-The Hero, king of Hastinapura. Vatayana-His chamberlain. Somarata-His chaplain. Matali Indra's charioteer. Kasyapa (Kania)-Chief hermit, Foster-father of Sakuntala. Vaikhanasa, Saragarava, Saradvata, Gautama, Narada } -His disciples. Marica (Kasyapa)-A divine sage, father of Gods and Demons. Galaya-His pupil. King's charioteer, General, Two hermit boys, Two court-bards (f) in the tiring-room; a disciple of the sacrifical priest ( yajamana - sisyah ) (ii) Speakers of High-calss Prakrta Bharata ()--Son of Dusyanta by Sakuntala. Madhavya-King's jester. Raivataka-King's porter. Karabhaka-A messenger of the Queen mother. Mitravasu (Syala)-Head of the Police (King's brother-in-law.) (ii) Speakers of Low-class Prakrta Sucaka, Januka-Constables. Kumbhilaka-A fisherman.

( 2 ) WOMEN All Speakers of High-class Prakrta Nati-Wife of Sutradhara. Sakuntala-The Heroine, Foster-daughter of Kanva. Anasuya, Priyamvadi-Her maiden friends. Gautam-Hermit Matron of Kanva's hermitage. Aditi (Daknayani)-Wife of Marica. Para-bhrtika, Madhu-karika Caturika- } Maids in the king's service. Sanumati--An invisible Nymph, friend of Menaka. Vetravati-A portress. Suvrata and her friend-Two hermitesses of Marica's hermitage. Persian women (444) PERSONS SPOKEN OF and Dowager queen (Mother of Dusyanta), Hamsa-padika Vasumati (Queens of Dusyanta), Taralika of Dusyanta), Taralika (Handmaid of Basumati), Pisuna (Prime Minister & Treasurer of Dusyanta), Dhanamitra (Head of the seafaring Merchant-guild), Maghaban (Indra), Paulami (His wife), Jayanta (His son), Kalanemi and his descendants (Giants, foes of the Gods), Narada, and Durvasah (Sages), Kausika, Visvamitra (Natural father of Sakuntala), Markandeya (Little son of a sage, playmate of Sarvadamana), Vrddha Sakalya (An aged hermit in Marica's hermitage), Menaka (A Divine nymph, mother of Sakuntala).