Madhyama-vyayoga

Madhyama here refers to Bheema, the middle among the three sons of Kunti, who is also the center of this drama. As the author passionately shows the love of Father towards his son in Urubhangam, this passion of Bhasa flows in this drama as well as it shows the meeting of Ghatotkacha and Bheemasena.

The course focuses on deepening the listeners’ knowledge in the field of Sanskrit Drama and Literature. It is a student friendly series where one can learn Sanskrit drama without having any prior knowledge.

The lecture series contains a collection of nine lectures by Prof. Gauri Mahulikar ,each being an hour long. The lectures give an introduction to the drama along with a background to the story, its originality and other influences on the author. It is then followed by detailed explanation of the whole drama with simultaneous reading of the play and sanskrit commentary wherever required.

What You will Learn

● Introduction to Bhasa and his distinctive writing style

● Exploration of the poetic liberties employed by Bhasa in his dramas and their

    impact on character development

● Detailed line-by-line reading and explanation of the play

● Poetical and critical analysis of the drama's themes and content

● Appreciation of the text through understanding the concept of rasa in each verse

   of the drama

Requirements

Individuals of all ages with an interest in exploring ancient Sanskrit literature and drama, along with the culture and stories of the era, are welcome. While the dramas are presented in the exquisite ancient language of Sanskrit, lectures will be conducted in English to facilitate better understanding and enjoyment of the texts. Therefore, knowledge of English is necessary for participants.

Requirements

● Good internet connection

Course Details and Duration

● The course comprises 9 lectures and 2 lessons.

● The recommended duration for completion of the course is 2 months.

Reference Text

1. Madhyama-vyayoga by Ramji Mishra, 1968, Chowkhamba Vidhyabhavan 

     Varanasi.

2. Thirteen Plays of Bhasa, by A. C. Woolner, Lakshman Sarup, 2015, Motilal

    Banarsidass Publishing House (MLBD).

Course Content

This course begins with an introductory session covering the basic plot, factors shaping it, and its source. It delves into detailed explanations of dialogues and verses in the drama, occasionally referencing Sanskrit commentaries. The facilitator enriches the series with additional elements like stories linking to this plot, Sanskrit word etymology, implicit meanings, and parallels with other Bhasa’s dramas. Its aim is to boost participant’s understanding of Sanskrit literature and encourage engagement for deeper knowledge in these areas.

Course Contributors

 Lakshmi Pokkunuri

 Hridya S