Mattavilāsa is a Sanskrit play that is known for its wit, humour, and skilful use of language, and has been considered a masterpiece of Sanskrit literature. The plot of the play revolves around a group of drunken men who engage in various humorous antics. The main character of the play is a wine merchant named Madanikā, who invites his friends to a drinking party. The other characters include a young Brāhmaṇa, a barber, a courtesan, and a thief. As the party goes on, the characters become increasingly intoxicated and engage in a series of humorous and sometimes absurd conversations and activities. They engage in witty wordplay, sing songs, and even stage a mock battle. Along the way, they explore aspects such as desire, illusion, and the transient nature of worldly pleasures. Despite its comic tone, Mattavilāsa is a work of great literary skill and depth. It has been praised for its use of language, its exploration of philosophical themes, and its ability to capture the spirit of the times in which it was written. The play continues to be studied and enjoyed by scholars and enthusiasts of Sanskrit literature.
Mattavilāsa revolves around a group of drunken men who engage in various humorous and sometimes absurd antics. The play is divided into two parts, with the first part depicting the antics of the intoxicated King and his courtiers, and the second part focusing on the sober aftermath of their revelries. The structure of the play has been compared to the classical Sanskrit dramatic form of the nātaka, which typically follows a similar two-part structure. The play, however is divided into five acts or kāṇḍa-s, each of which consists of several scenes. Here is a brief summary of each act: Act 1: The play opens with Madanikā, a wine merchant, inviting his friends to a drinking party. The group includes a young Brāhmaṇa, a barber, a courtesan, and a thief. As they drink, they engage in witty wordplay and exchange jokes.
Act 2: The characters continue drinking and become increasingly intoxicated. They sing songs and play games, including a game of dice. The young Brāhmaṇa loses all his money and is forced to leave the party.
Act 3: The courtesan entertains the group with a dance performance, and the barber tells a story about a King who is tricked by his minister. The thief tries to steal from the wine merchant but is caught and beaten.
Act 4: The characters engage in a mock battle, with the barber leading one side and the thief leading the other. The battle ends in a draw, and the group continues drinking and singing.
Act 5: The group becomes increasingly introspective as they sober up. They discuss the nature of desire, the illusory nature of the world, and the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures. The play ends with the characters bidding each other farewell and going their separate ways.
Throughout the play, Mahendravikramavarmā uses witty wordplay, satire, and irony to comment on various aspects of society, including politics, religion, and morality. The play has been praised for its literary skill and its ability to capture the spirit of its times.
Mattavilāsa is a unique work in Sanskrit literature due to several reasons: 1. Comic tone: The play's humorous and witty tone sets it apart from many other works of Sanskrit literature, which tend to be more serious in nature. The characters engage in absurd and playful activities, making the play an entertaining and enjoyable read.
2. Exploration of philosophical aspects: Despite its comic tone, Mattavilāsa explores deeper philosophical aspects, such as the nature of desire, illusion, and the transient nature of worldly pleasures. The play delves into these aspects in a light-hearted and approachable way, making it accessible to a wider audience.
3. Use of language: The play is known for its masterful use of language, with Mahendravikramavarmā employing puns, wordplay, and literary devices to great effect. His use of language adds to the play's overall humour and wit, and showcases the author's skill as a writer.
4. Societal commentary: Mattavilāsa provides insight into the societal norms and values of its time, offering commentary on topics such as politics, religion, and morality. The play's satirical approach to these topics makes it a valuable historical document as well as a work of literature.
The play is widely regarded as a literary masterpiece, praised for its witty dialogue, clever wordplay, and sophisticated use of language. Its humorous tone and satirical commentary make it a unique and engaging work of literature. Mattavilāsa also provides valuable insight into the social and cultural norms of 12th-century India, offering commentary on topics such as politics, religion, and morality. Its satirical approach to these topics makes it a valuable historical document as well as a work of literature.
Mattavilāsa is also notable for its use of elaborate stagecraft, including detailed descriptions of sets and costumes, as well as instructions for music and dance. This attention to detail in the staging of the play reflects the importance of visual and performative elements in Sanskrit drama.