5. Character Analysis of Annadatri-Carita

The creation and portrayal of various characters in a drama makes it meaningful and enjoyable to the spectators. If any one of them failed to reach the expectation level, the drama also not much effective or it may turn into a fail. Even though, Annadatricarita is a small drama with only five Acts, the creation of the characters and their portrayal in the drama deserves special mention. Although it includes only a few characters, but each of them is different in the way of its making and each one has their own significance. Vancishvara, Amatya, two messengers, Queen Mother, Karna, Shakuni etc. are some of the notable portrayals in the drama.

The female characters have a significant role in the drama even though they are less in number. The Queen mother, two maid servants Lalita and Malati are the only female characters in the drama. Here is a brief sketch of the characters is given below:

1. Udayavarmakulashekhara (Vancishvara)

King Udyavarmakulashekhara is the main protagonist of the drama. He was the ruler of the Vanci kingdom in south India. Hence, he was also addressed in the name Vancishvara. His portrayal in the drama was a wise, virtuous, generous, humble, diplomatic, reliable and determined personality. In other words, the portrayal of Vancishvara is a good example of an ideal king and personality.

1.1. Ideal king

The rulers of Vanci domain were considered as an example of model kings. Under the kingship of them, people became very happy and enjoyed all prosperity. The present king Udayavarmakulashekhara was also a strong loop of that legacy. The Vanci kingdom seems like another heaven on the earth. In other words, that country was a gift from the celestial king Indra to his dearest friend Vancishvara.

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King Udayavarmakulashekhara treated his people just like father look after his kids; consequently people also had a father like respect towards him. He was entirely bothered and satisfied about this fact.

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I am very grateful because I have a child like caring on my people, and they also gives respect to me similar to a father.

1.2. Humble Personality

Vancishvara always kept gentleness and polity in his characteristics. His dealings with different people such as the minister, messengers, navy officer and storekeeper are particularly notable. His behaviour towards them was in such a humble and simple way. Vancishvara did not show any parsimony to appreciate them while they successfully complete their responsibilities. For example, after the checking of the cuisine and kitchen in the war field, Vancishvara appreciated the pantry man for his capability to manage the kitchen and the service of food.

[...]^[3]

Indrasena, I’m very happy after today’s inspection. Your efficiency is really admirable.

1.3. A Generous King

The king Vancishvara was very generous to common people. There were a plenty of cereals and grains in the country even after the use of the whole people of the country. Even after the war, there will be enough stock of food materials. He knew the fact that after each war people fall in suffer and they need more help at that time. Poverty, scarcity of food and diseases are the major products of a war and the common people are the target of these sorrows. Vancishvara had awareness about this future situation after the war and thus he decided to use those grains for the welfare of people.

[...]^[4]

Actually, common people are suffering after the war. These grains can use to solve it.

1.4. Diplomatic and Reliable Ruler

Vancishvara was a wise, diplomatic and reliable king. He knew that how to satisfy the rulers of other countries and to fulfil their expectations on him. For instance, while the messengers of both Yudhishthira and Duryodhana were reached the assembly he treated them without any partiality. They came with the message from their masters to seek Vancishvara’s help in the forthcoming war.

Vancishvara always kept a good relation with these kings. So that, in this circumstance of war he could not execute any favouritism to any of them and it was too difficult to took a pleasing decision without hurting anyone. Therefore, Vancishvara decided to help both kings in the war but would not give any weapon or soldiers to please them. Also, he announced that he doesn’t take any arms in the war on behalf of anyone. Finally, he pleaded to equally serve food for the entire army participating in the war till the end without any partiality.

[...]^[5]

I pledge that, I will please both armies by serving enough and nutritious food from the beginning to the end of the war.

This was anhonestly diplomatic decision which couldmade satisfaction tothe both parties. Because of this open hearted attitude of the king Vancishvara, he always became favourite to both Duryodhana and Yudhishthira.

1.5. Determination

King Vancishvara always kept dedication towards his responsibilities. He always keen about that how could complete all his duties without any fault. Vancishvara always avoided every the obstacles and temptations which may get back him from his duty. In the fourth act of the drama, there is a scene between Shakuni and Vancishvara. In that scene, Shakuni tried to tempt the Vancishvara to do favouritism for the Kauravas and withdraw every help for the Pandava army. But, Vancishvara rejected the words of Shakuni and was stable in his determination.

2. Shurasena

Shurasena was a messenger of Yudhishthira. The characterisation of this envoy is exactly apt which compared to his master because; Yudhishthira is famous for his virtues and honesty. The characterisation of Shurasena was also an honest and reliable towards his duty and master. The dialogues by him prove that this depiction is not an exaggeration. Shurasena was aware about the greatness of virtues. His viewpoints indicate his attitude towards the importance of truthfulness and maybe he acquired it from his master itself. For example,

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Shurasena came to the land of Vancishvara assisted with a soldier. He had a positive attitude towards the duty bestowed on him although he knew that it was too difficult to complete. He considered the relation with such a virtuous persons like Yudhishthira might be his excellence.

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The connection of great people will brings all type of prosperity.

Even though Shurasena was amazed on the beautiful landscapes of Vanci, he was bothered about his duty which have to finish immediately. When the accompanied soldier Candrahasa surprised at the beauty of Vanci, Shurasena reminded him about their duty yet to complete and warned him that not to be late to make it complete.

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When seeing beautiful materials, never lose attention in our duties. We can get to the gate quickly to avoid being late for work.

Moreover, when Shurasena reached the gate of the palace he asked the gatekeeper to write down the time he reported. It was an appropriate suggestion because he knew that the messenger of Duryodhana also departed from Hastinapuri to seek the help from Vancishvara. When the king granted permission to the meeting, Shurasena properly had done his duty as suitable to an experienced envoy.

3. Virabhadra

Virabhadra was the envoy of Duryodhana to Vanci kingdom. He is also depicted as an efficient envoy likes Shurasena. Virabhadra had very much respect to his master Duryodhana and it is clear from his words. Until he had a meeting with Vancishvara, he thought that no one in the world was equal to his master in nobility and personality.

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I’m now free from that ignorance; think that there is no other kshatriya quality like my master.

The way of style in his message reading in front of the Vancishvara clearly indicates the influence of his devotion towards his master Duryodhana. However, the dramatist made the portrayal of Virabhadra into a notable one.

4. Amatya

The chief minister of Vancishvara appeared in the second act of the drama. He is depicted as a reliable, proficient and faithful minister of the king. Moreover, he is a good advisor and efficient in diplomacy also. Amatya explained Vancishvara about the current situation of people in the country. He informed the king that there is a huge collection of crops in the store. He asked permission to the king to worthy use of those cereals.

5. Dhanapala

Dhanapala was portrayed as the navy leader of Vanci domain. His role was to make arrangements for the voyage of Vancishvara to Kurukshetra. He was depicted as an efficient, faithful and wise personality. Even though he was a navy officer he had awareness about the statecraft. He meaningfully and beautifully expressed his viewpoint about a good king who protects the people similar to a father.

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Although there are hundreds of kings on earth, the real king is one who sees his people as sons. He is the true fatherly king, who saves all people and enables them to attain the purusharthas.

6. Krishna

Krishna, the prominent character of Mahabharataappears only in one act of the Annadatricarita. Here, he was portrayed as a supreme god and praised by Yudhishthira and Vancishvara. He told Yudhishthira to honour Vancishvara for his help in the war field. Krishna announced the honorary name ‘Annadatri’ (donor of food) suggested by Yudhishthira to honour Vancishvara. He gave a boon to Vancishvara that he will take birth in clan of Vanci domain during the Kaliyuga on a ‘Citra star’ day.

7. Yudhishthira

The elder Pandava depicted as a figure of virtues and a devotee of Krishna. The characters such as the Vancishvara himself, the messenger Shurasena, Queen mother of Vanci, Bhimasena and Krishna repeatedly addressed him as a virtuous man. Yudhishthira expressed his gratitude towards Vancishvara by honouring him in the name of ‘Annadatri’. He was blessed by Krishna to assist him in the role of the chief minister while Krishna take birth as king ‘Citra star’ in the

Kaliyuga.

8.Bhimasena

The second Pandava Bhimasena, had an entirely different portrayal from his well known characteristics like an arrogant and powerful person. In Annadatricarita, he is portrayed as a calm and obedient brother of Yudhishthira and the crowned prince of Uttarabharata. He was much happier to see his elder brother seated in the throne of Uttarabharata and also rejoiced about their victory in the Kurukshetra war. Bhimasena believed that this victory was a result of Krishna’s help and guidance in the war field and he expressed his devotion towards Krishna. He was also impressed by the effort took by the Vancishvara in the war field. Bhimasena acclaimed that Krishna himself took the form of Vancishvara and helped in the Kurukshetra war.

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Yudhishthira bestowed the duty to bring Vancishvara to the royal assembly and honour him on Bhimasena. He was the one who suggested the name of Vancishvara as the most eligible one to be honoured.

9. Shakuni

As referred in the Mahabharata, Prof. K. Balarama Panicker also depicted Shakuni as a wicked, jealousy and cunning character in the drama Annadatricarita. He suspected the genuine help of Vancishvara to serve food without any favouritism. According to him, the south Indian king is not a reliable one as everyone think. Vancishvara provides help and tease simultaneously by his serving of food in the war-field. Obviously he provides nutritious food to all. But he nourishes the opposite army also; consequently it will be a difficult task for the Kaurava army to beat the Pandava military. Thus, he succeeded to create a doubt in the mind of Duryodhana against the honesty of Vancishvara. So that, Shakuni made a plan to tempt Vancishvara, and asked him to help only Kauravas and stop food service to the Pandavas. However, he was conscious about the fact that Vancishvara would not accept his offers but he decided to a trial by approaching the king for seeking favouritism.

10. Duryodhana

In this drama, Duryodhana was depicted as the King of Kauravas. He had a good political affair with the south Indian king Vancishvara. Even though Vancishvara decided to help both Pandavas and Kauravas in the war without any partiality, he agreed it. He shared his heartfelt gratitude about Vancishvara’s mission with his friend Karna and uncle Shakuni. Duryodhana was extremely impressed with the ‘Annadana’ (donation of food). He acclaimed Annadana as the best donation in the entire world and there is none other donation has the greatness similar to Annadana. He explained it as following:

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There are many types of donations in this world which brings sanctity to the donor. But, there is none other donation resembling Annadana which can give equal satisfaction to both the donor and the receiver.

11. Karina

Karna, the companion of Duryodhana, here also mentioned as a good friend. He had respect towards Vancishvara for his effort to serve food in the war. While Shakuni mentioned the help of Vancishvara as a trouble to Kauravas, Karna disagreed with him. Karna asked Duryodhana that he should not agreeable towards the words of the jealous Shakuni. If Duryodhana agreed to it, it may cause contradictory results to Kauravas. Thus Karna was portrayed as a true friend of Duryodhana who made circumstantial guidance.

12. Maharajni

Even though, there are only a few female characters in the drama Annadatricarita, among them Maharajni was the prominent one. She was the mother of the king Vancishvara. Maharajni was a pragmatically wise and bold lady with eminent knowledge in the diplomacy and the administration. Vancishvara relayed the burden of administration of the country into her hands before he leaving to war field of kurukshetra. In the meantime, she reminded him about the seriousness of the duty in the war field. Maharajni asked Vancishvara to believe in the god of virtue and just do the duty without any fall.

This is a good opportunity to make fame of the clan forever. In her words, fulfilling of the duty will complete every desire of a person. So, Maharajni asked the king that just do your duty with complete dedication and the god of Virtues obviously always pour his whole blessings upon you. This situation may compare to the advice of Sumitra to Lakshmana while he departed to the forest to carry out his responsibilities towards his brother.

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The success of own work is the provider of everything (god).

13. Lalita

Lalita is a maid servant in the citadel of Vancishvara and an assistant of the Maharajni. She was unaware about the mission of Vancishvara taken in the war. When her friend Malati surprised about her unawareness about the grand feeding, Lalita pointed the busy works of a maidservant in a palace. So, often they don’t know such matters.

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Where the maidservants have the opportunity to loose talk?

14. Malati

Malati is another maid servant in the palace of Vancishvara. She was talented in singing and making garlands. The dramatist used her character to explain the mission of Vancishvara and its proceedings. Malati’s conversation with Lalita revealed the Vancishvara’s effort in the construction of a kitchen in the war field. She also informs her friend about the voyage of Vancishvara to Kurukshetra.

In addition to these characters, four soldiers and two army chiefs are the some other minor characters. Moreover, there is only a one sentence mention about the wife of Vancishvara. From that citation it can be assumed that the name of the queen was Sukeshini.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Prof. K. Balarama Panicker, Annadatricarita, (Thiruvananthapuram: Published by the author),8.

[2]:

Ibid.,39.

[3]:

Ibid., 37.

[4]:

Idem.

[5]:

Ibid.,21.

[6]:

Ibid., 8.

[7]:

Ibid.,10.

[8]:

Ibid., 7.

[9]:

Ibid., 8.

[10]:

Ibid., 17.

[11]:

Ibid.,44.

[12]:

Ibid.,30.

[13]:

Ibid.,23.