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| Chitra by Rabindranath Tagore | Summary |
Chitra is a one act play written by rabindranath Tagore of Bengali poet from India who was the first person from the entire Asia to win the Nobel prize for literature. His work 'Gitanjali' led him to win the nobel prize. He is also the person who has written the national anthem of India as well as Bangladesh. He is considered as 'BishwaKabi' in India. He has written many poems, drama and short stories. 'Kabuliwala' is one of the most famous short Stories among his creation. Similarly 'Chitra' is also his one of the finest and most delightful dramas.
Chitra is the daughter of Chitravahana, the king of Manipur. Her real name is Chitrangada. Since the king had no sons, he had brought up Chitra like a male. Chitra had every quality that a male should have.
One day, when Chitra was hunting, Arjun was lying on the way. Later, she came to know that the saint was none other than Arjuna, one of the brothers Amongst Pandava. Chitra had long held desire to fight with him and prove who the best archer was. But when she saw Arjuna she fell in love with him. Next day, Chitra went to Arjuna in the costume of a lady. Though she was in a lady costume, she didn't look beautiful. She proposed Arjuna to marry her but Arjuna denied saying that he was in exile and in chastity.
Chitra felt sad and went to Vasanta, the god of youth and springtime and Madana, the god of love, urging to make her the most beautiful lady for one day. Vasantha and Madana gifted her the beauty for not only a day but for a whole year. As Chitra was beautiful Arjun fell in love with her beauty instantly and was ready to accept her. She still didn't seem to be happy.
The reason was that Arjuna didn't love chitra in her original form. Arjuna had loved the borrowed beauty, the false image. She was sad also because Arjuna will be with her only until she has that borrowed beauty. She tells all these things to Madana and Vasanta. They both advised her to stay with Arjuna for the whole year and assured her that Arjuna will accept her even after she gets back to her original form.
Chitra did the same. Time passed and chitra begin to worry more as the gifted one year was about to pass. One Day Arjun hears from the villagers about chitra, the princess of Manipur and that she had gone to pilgrimage according to the villagers. He also heard about the enemies that where about to attack on Manipur. He says this to Chitra and Chitra told him that Manipur is safe as Chitra is always safe guarding The Kingdom.
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Arjun becomes more curious to know more about chitra and seems to be thinking about Chitra almost all the time. Chitra then ask if he would love her if she was like chitra. Arjun admitted that since he doesn't know much about her so that his love is incomplete. Finally she tells Arjuna that she was Chitra and also told the whole story. She also tells Arjuna that she is pregnant with his child. Arjun becomes very happy and tell her that his life is fullfilled.
