The Little Clay Cart [Mṛcchakaṭika]

"The Little Clay Cart" by Sūdraka is a Hindu drama, likely written in the 5th century CE. The play centers around the themes of love and societal struggle, primarily following the impoverished merchant Charudatta and his romantic interest, Vasantasena, a courtesan. Their relationship unfolds against a backdrop of conflicts and societal class challenges, highlighting the intricacies of human emotions and interactions within a culturally rich setting. At the start of the narrative, Charudatta laments his poverty while reflecting on his lost social status. Vasantasena, pursued by unwanted suitors, finds refuge in Charudatta’s home, which leads to a connection between the two. Their interaction is marked by humor and poignancy, setting the stage for a complex relationship that weaves through themes of love, honor, and material loss. Meanwhile, various side characters, such as Charudatta’s friend Maitreya and the comic shampooer embroiled in gambling troubles, introduce both camaraderie and levity into the narrative, providing depth to the socio-dramatic elements present in the unfolding story. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Shudraka was an Indian playwright, to whom three Sanskrit plays are attributed: Mrichchhakatika, Vinavasavadatta, and a bhana, Padmaprabhritaka. According to the prologue of Mrichchhakatika, he was a king; according to one theory, he may have been a third century Abhira king. According to another theory, Shudraka is a mythical figure, and the authorship of plays attributed to him is uncertain. Col. Wilfred has identified him with Simuka, the founder of Satavahana dynasty and placed him in 200 B.C.