Chandalika by Rabindranath Tagore Summary

As the name suggests, Chandalika is a story about a Chandal girl from the lowest untouchable caste who falls in love with a beautiful monk after giving him some water. She couldn't help herself; she forced her mother to recite the spells. The character of Prakriti, who is engorged with lust and sensitivity, embodies the traits of nature; she is aggressive, willing to make sacrifices, delightfully tolerant, and prone to excessive love, much like our mother nature. The novel's protagonist is a highly sensitive girl born into a caste hated and suddenly made aware of her exclusive rights as a woman rather than a wicked girl inspired to lust by the monk's physical attractiveness.

Anand, a well-known follower of Buddha, is an actual monk who is pure, loves all living things, spreads enlightenment, and unintentionally becomes ashamed and repentant after being the victim of a girl's passion.

Another character in the play, Prakriti's mother, represents the pervasive social ills in modern society. She had to pay a high price for her daughter's love by giving up every nerve and cell in her body. She is just as protective as every other mother who has ever existed. At the same time, stopping her from claiming Anand, such a pure soul, as her own.

Summary

When Prakriti was presented to a person in town one day in Vaisakh while sitting in the sweltering sun, she could only assume that this person was standing around 50 feet away from "a girl, as she." For many years, Prakriti had forgotten that she was a human being. Anand, the monk, who is as pure as heaven, lovely, educated, and has forsaken earthly amusements, comes to her to quench his thirst. However, as a Chandal, Prakriti was obligated to decline his request for water from a well that was equally impure as she was. He laments this and asks her, "What does it matter if the black clouds of Sravana are called Chandals?" It doesn't alter their character or diminish the benefits of their water. Please don't make yourself feel bad; it's a sin worse than killing oneself. At this point in the story's twist, she realizes she has a new birth within herself and is determined to reunite with him and cherish her new birth.

When her mother overhears Prakriti saying this, she is startled and believes a spell has been cast over her. She finds it astounding that she would discuss humanism, caste, and the monk's needs. Prakriti is unwilling to listen to her mother and is determined to get the monk back no matter what it takes, which she may be able to do if she casts a spell over him and summons him to her home. We merely stir up the mud; his strength is far stronger than hers, and she can commit a huge transgression by casting a spell over him; the mother complains and resists this thought.

The mother is compelled to chant the magic spells because she has an unquenchable yearning to have the monk standing right next to her and because she is the only lovable daughter she has. She orders her to prepare for everything needed to make the words strong, giving her a magic mirror and warning her to pay attention to the route Anand would take to get here. While Anand came to her house without hesitation, his radiance withered, the shining, the purity, the beautiful glow, all gone, faded, destroyed to bits. Magically, her spells did operate, but in a different way. As it was a difficult chore to subdue such a majestic personality, her mother was exhausted and lying on the ground counting her last breaths.

At this point, Prakriti became aware of her transgression and was redeemed for the second time. She was also released from the pride and egoism that had caused her to forget that love does not demand possession but instead grants freedom. In addition, the holy monk is returned to his previous state by the Buddha's abilities.

Readers will enjoy the drama, a tragedy with many lessons and values to convey. Self-redemption, obsession, realization, and rebirth are fantastic exchanges that draw the reader in.

Themes

1. Caste and Social Hierarchy:A major theme of "Chandalika" is the condemnation of India's severe caste system and social inequality. The play casts doubt on the idea that a person's value is determined by their social class and questions the discrimination people experience based on their place of origin.
2. Identity and Self-Worth:A central theme is exploring one's identity and sense of worth. Prakriti, the primary character, is a low-caste girl battling her identity and social position. Through her journey, the play explores how societal expectations impact one's identity and the value of accepting one's authentic self.
3. Liberation and Empowerment:The emphasis of "Chandalika" is on the liberation and Empowerment of women. When Prakriti meets the Buddhist monk Ananda, she begins to see the value and potential she already possesses. The drama emphasizes the significance of emancipating oneself from external social limitations.
4. Compassion and Equality:The drama revolves around Equality and compassion. Regardless of a person's social status, it undermines the idea of superiority and promotes empathy and understanding. According to the play, a more harmonious society can be achieved by using compassion to close gaps between the castes.
5. Spiritual Awakening:Themes of enlightenment and spiritual Awakening are explored in "Chandalika". The interaction between Prakriti and Ananda serves as a spark for her spiritual development and change. The drama examines how spirituality can bridge social divides and promote personal calm.
6. Breaking Stereotypes: In "Chandalika," Tagore questions prejudices and preconceptions. Ananda, portrayed in the play, is a loving and enlightened monk who defies social norms, challenging religious clich�s and promoting a more complex concept of spirituality.