Annadatri-carita (study)
by Sarannya V. | 2020 | 34,082 words
This study analyzes the Annadatri-Carita: an epic poem connected with a regional history written by Prof. K Balarama Panicker. The plot of the drama is based on a Sangam period myth connected with the epic Mahabharata. The author introduces Utiyan Ceralatan as Vancishvara, an ancestor of the last Travancore ruler named Chithira Thirunal Balarama Va...
2. Annadatri-Carita (classification and subject-matter)
Annadatri-carita is a drama with five acts. It deals with the story of great feeding done by a south Indian king in the Kurukshetra war. The author chose this theme of an ancient Cera ruler Perumcorrutiyan Ceralatan who was referred in the ancient works like Akananuru, Purananuru and Cilappatikaram from the Sangam literature.
In the foreword of the drama famous poet Mahakavi Ulloor. S. Paramesvara Aiyer noted the theme as follows:
The theme of this play is the feeding of the Pandava and Kaurava armies by Utiyan, the King of the Cheras, one of the great ancestors of His Highness our Gracious Maharaja, in the eighteen days’ Mahabharata battle at Kurukshetra, as borne out by a significant passage in one of the Tamil Sangham works. Utiyan, on account of his meritorious service, rendered alike to friend and foe at one of the most critical hours in the political history of Bharatavarsha, came to known as Perum-chottutiyan, or Utiyan, the great food giver.
In the introduction, N. Gopala Pillai, M.A (Principal, H.H Maharajas College, Thiruvananthapuram) also mentioned the story of Utiyan Ceralatan as given below:
The story is woven round the epic anecdote of the ancient Chera King, Udiyan, the Bounteous Feeder, Feasting the contending armies on the field of Kuru Ksetra, throughout the duration of the Mahabharata War, an anecdote celebrated in the annals of ancient Tamil poetry.
From the above mentioned quotations it is clear that it deals with the Sangam myth about Utiyan Ceralatan. Prof. K. Balarama Panicker dedicated this drama to his teacher N. Gopala Pillai.
[...][1]
Although, Annadatricarita is a small Sanskrit drama with five acts, it strictly follows the rules by Natyashastra, in its all-dramatic elements like Nandishloka, Praveshaka, prastavana and Vishkambha which are allied appropriately. This chapter discusses a general introduction of Annadatri-carita.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Prof. K. Balarama Panicker, Annadatricarita, (Thiruvananthapuram: Published by the author), vi