Chandalika : The Story of Liberation from Disdain and Desire

Act 1: The Disdain (Songs: 1 – 4)

With the spring round the corner, the flower man, the milkman and the vendor of trinkets descend upon the village praising their wares, inviting the lasses to buy. Prokriti, a Chandalini, the daughter of the outer-caste cremation-man (Chandal) also wants to buy but the other maidens caution the vendors, not to sell. Even her touches will spoil the goods. The vendors depart, disheartening Prokriti.

Act 2: The Disillusion (Songs: 5 – 6)

Prokriti laments why she must pray to the Creator who has propelled her in this shameful life of darkness and despair. Her mother Maya wonders what has descended upon Prokriti for her not to carry on with the household chores. Prokriti refuses to budge and asks what sin she has done to be punished. Failing to answer, Maya leaves urging Prokriti to accept her destiny.

Act 3: The Liberation (Songs: 7 – 12)

Ananda, a travelling Buddhist monk is parched. He begs for water from Prokriti. Prokriti tells her that she is born in low caste and has no right to give water to a monk. Ananda tells her that he is the same human as she is. Water that quenches thirst is the purest of water. Prokriti, in awe and in joy, gives water to Anand. Prokriti feels that she is now unshackled of ageless inhibition and ignominy. The village maidens usher in with the happy tiding of harvest but Prokriti cannot join in as she is lost in trance about her new found dignity.

Act 4: The Desire (Songs: 13 – 19)

Maya is baffled by the changes in Prokriti. Has Prokriti been bewitched? Maya knows that she has the magical power to bring Prokriti back to reality. Prokriti reveals to Maya that a monk begged her for water. Despite being cautioned by herself of her low caste, the monk insisted and her offering of water was accepted by the monk. She is reborn now – a new birth. Prokriti argues that it is no coincidence that the monk came only to her for water as he could have quenched his thirst elsewhere as there are plenty water available in the village. He is her new destiny. Prokriti is in love. Maya tries to dissuade her but Prokriti only desires him who has reinstated her upon the seat of humanity.

Act 5: The Stratagem (Song: 20)

The queen’s men came looking for Maya, urging her to retrieve the queen’s pet bird which has flown away from its cage. Maya tries to decline. She claims to be powerless to bring back a lost bird. But the queen knows of Maya’s magical power – she cannot be fooled cautions the departing queen’s men.

Act 6: The Persuasion (Songs: 21 – 25)

Prokriti now gets the idea of how to get Ananda to her. She implores her mother to bring Ananda, the monk, back to her by casting her magical spell. Trying hard Maya still fails to dissuade Prokriti. She argues, if the monk is courageous to break such ancient taboo and accept water from her, why can’t she be audacious to desire a celibate monk, breaking yet another taboo. While arguing they see a group of chanting monks led by Ananda passing by. Prokriti is devastated that Ananda fails to take notice of her as the monks march on. Prokriti is more determined now and urges her mother to cast the severest of spells to bring Ananda to her forever.

Act 7: The Conflicts (Songs: 26 – 31)

Maya’s maternal heart melts. She summons the dark spirits. She gives Prokriti her magical mirror. Prokriti can now see what is happening to Ananda in the mirror when she dances holding it. Prokriti witnesses the terrible conflict of Ananda, torn between his physical desire and spiritual commitment. Prokriti can bear no more of the pain inflicted on Ananda. Prokriti too is torn between her cruel desire to have him and her love to let him go free. But neither Maya can restore her spell nor the deep burning, all-consuming desire within Prokriti can actually allow it. Maya tells her to recite the last act to put Ananda in a serpentine spell which will now tie him finally down to earthly desires and fetch him to her.

Act 8: The Realisation (Song 32)

The power of the final spell leaves Maya exhausted. Ananda arrives. Prokriti is shattered. Ananda is distraught. A complete wreck. A dark shadow of his luminous, sparkling self. Defeated and broken. Prokriti realizes her grave mistake of pushing the boundaries of her right regardless of responsibility. True love is not to shackle but to liberate. Prokriti begs for forgiveness and releases Ananda to return to his spiritual world. Ananda blesses Prokriti.