Chitrangada

The dance drama Chitrangada is a phenomenal illustration of Tagore’s conceptualization of human emotions. The play follows the warrior-princess Chitrangada, who has been raised like a man by her father as he wanted a son. Upon an encounter with Arjuna, the greatest warrior of the time, where she is ignored and dismissed as a little boy, the masculine Chitrangada starts grieving her disconnect from femininity. A complex journey of self-transformation begins, as she goes through feminine characterizations to entice Arjuna, eventually accepting herself as who she is and revealing her true self to Arjuna. The inherent causal progression from a physical attraction for external embellishments to a profound love for inner beauty is portrayed beautifully by Tagore, who straddles the line between idealism and realism. The play explores modern views on love, gender, and self-discovery in a unique and progressive fashion, and has had a staggering influence in Bengali culture.