Urubhanga

Urubhanga or Urubhangam, (English: Shattered Thighs ) is a Sanskrit play written by Bhasa in the 2nd or 3rd century CE.

[1] Based on the well-known epic, the Mahābhārata, by Vyasa, Urubhanga focuses on the story of the character Duryodhana during and after his fight with Bhima.

Although Urubhanga contains the same core storyline as that in the Mahābhārata, Bhasa's altering of certain aspects results in a different presentation of the story.

[5] The play centers around events that happen preceding his death; Duryodhana is shown repenting his past, reconciling with his family, and realizing the futility of war.

Duryodhana blames Krishna and forgives Bhima, as the play progresses, he is reconciled with his blind parents, then his queens (Malavi and Pauravi), and his son.

Urubhangam was presented by the Bangladesh Centre for Asian Theatre, adapted by Niranjan Adhikari and directed by Kamaluddin Nilu.

Production got 10 State Cultural Academy Awards which includes Best Director Aaditya Bharti, Best Music Abhishek Bharti, Best Make up Shammi Dhamir, Best Costumes kamal Mohini and Acting Awards To Kanav Sharma, Sushmita Banerjee, Niharika Sakshi, Nitin Babu.

Adaptations of Sanskrit classics including the Urubhanga was also staged by the Suvarna Karnataka, choreographed by Maya Rao.

According to Bhat, Bhasa is the single Sanskrit dramatist to experiment with ancient material to produce tragic structure.

Introducing tragic motive into the play was limited and attempt at delineating the character or action was considered a denial of the existing legend and the fabrication of a new one.

Therefore, Bhat is a solitary case of a daring experiment in Sanskrit dramatic literature as he breaks away from the traditional epic framework.

Also, Bhasa portrays Duryodhana as a tragic hero with heroic courage and calm determination with which he accepts his inevitable end.