Dasarupaka (critical study)
by Anuru Ranjan Mishra | 2015 | 106,293 words
This page relates ‘Status of Women in the 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 13 - Status of Women in the Līlāvatī-Vīthī
At the time of the composition of the Līlāvatīvīthī, Kerala was more advanced than other regions due to foreign contact, like Dutch, British, Parsis and Muslims; however, it was also disturbed by the attacks of various rulers like Dutch, Muslim etc. Consequently, the women were free to study and work like menand they were even practicing black magic.
Krishna Caitanya, 1972, (“Kerala”) states that at the time of the Līlāvatīvīthī,
“The inter-caste marriage was allowed to be practiced: For instance, Namputiri men used to marry Nair women, who got prestigious status in the society, for their military service. Even Brahmins used to marry lower caste women: For instance, Vararuci, who was a Brahmin, married a Pariah woman.”