Dasarupaka (critical study)
by Anuru Ranjan Mishra | 2015 | 106,293 words
This page relates ‘Ramapanivada—The author and the date of the play (Lilavati-Vithi)’ of the English study of the Dasarupaka of Dhananjaya: an important work on Hindu dramaturgy (Natya-shastra) from the tenth century dealing with the ten divisions of Sanskrit drama (nata), describing their technical aspects and essential dramaturgical principals. These ten types of drama are categorised based on the plot (vastu), hero (neta) and sentiment (rasa)
Part 1 - Rāmapāṇivāda—The author and the date of the play (Līlāvatī-Vīthī)
In the Prologue of Līlāvatīvīthī, the author introduces himself as the nephew of Rāghavapāṇivāda, who was the court poet of the king Devanārāyaṇa. He was taught first by his father and then by his teacher Nārāyaṇa Bhaṭṭa. Rāmapāṇivāda hails from the village “Maṅgalam”, in south Mālābār. He was a great Sanskrit scholar of 18th century A. D. Rāmapāṇivāda was also the court poet with various kings like Vīrarāya, Mārtandavarmāand Kārtika Tirunal Rāmavarmā or Dharmarāja. However, he was bitten by a mad-dog and died in C 1775 A.D.
He has greatly contributed to Sanskrit Dramas, Stotras, Campū, Kāvyas, Ākhyāyikās, Chandas and Commentaries.
He has written four dramas, i.e.
- Sītārāghavam [Sītārāghava],
- Madanaketucaritam [Madanaketucarita],
- Līlāvatīvīthī and
- Candrikāvīthī.