Character Sketch of Prakriti, Prakriti’s Mother and Ananda from Class 12 English (Elective) Kaleidoscope Book Drama 1 – Chandalika
A character sketch defines what the character is like and how he/she evolves or develops throughout the story. In this post you can find the Character Sketch of Prakriti, Prakriti’s Mother and Ananda from Class 12 English (Elective) Kaleidoscope Book Drama 1 – Chandalika
- Character Sketch of Prakriti
- Questions related to Character of Prakriti
- Character Sketch of the Prakriti’s Mother
- Questions related to Character of Prakriti’s Mother
- Character Sketch of the Ananda
- Questions related to Character of Ananda
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Character Sketch of Prakriti
Prakriti is the main character in the play. She is a young woman from the Chandalika caste, the lowest of the untouchable castes in ancient Indian society. Prakriti is sensitive and smart, and she struggles with the social injustice and discrimination she faces because of her caste. At the start of the play, Prakriti believes the society’s view of her as “unclean” and inferior. However, when she meets Ananda, a Buddhist monk, everything changes for her. Ananda accepts water from her hands and acknowledges her worth as a human being. This moment helps her gain new self-respect and dignity, marking a “new birth” for her. As Prakriti grows more aware of herself, she begins to reject the oppressive social norms that define her life. She becomes more assertive, questioning a religion that insults her and goes against society’s expectations. As she recognizes her rights as a woman, Prakriti develops feelings for Ananda. Her feelings go beyond physical attraction; she longs for recognition, acceptance, and a sense of belonging. She wants to show her devotion and gratitude to Ananda for accepting her. Prakriti decides to persuade her mother to use magic spells to bring Ananda to her. This shows her impatience and willingness to challenge social and religious boundaries to get what she wants. However, when Ananda arrives, affected by the spell, Prakriti is alarmed and horrified by the outcome. Seeing Ananda in pain makes Prakriti feel deep remorse and self-disgust. She understands that her possessive desire is harmful and realizes the real meaning of Ananda’s teachings, which focus on letting go and spiritual purity. In the end, Prakriti goes through a second transformation as she seeks Ananda’s forgiveness and learns to respect his freedom.
Questions related to the character of Prakriti
Q1. What transformation does Prakriti’s character undergo after her interaction with the monk?
Q2. Highlight the character traits of Prakriti.
Character Sketch of Prakriti’s Mother
Prakriti’s mother is an important character in the play. She has magical powers that she uses to protect her daughter, Prakriti. She understands the strict social order and how it limits Prakriti’s life. At first, Prakriti’s mother does not want to use her magic to bring Ananda to Prakriti. She is worried about disrupting the natural order and is especially cautious about using her powers against a holy man. Her hesitation comes from fear and a sense of responsibility. However, out of love for Prakriti and a wish to ease her suffering, she decides to cast the spell. This shows her selflessness and readiness to put her daughter’s happiness before her own. As the spell unfolds, Prakriti’s mother realizes its harmful effects. She sees Ananda’s pain and feels the strain that the magic puts on her own life. When Prakriti asks her to reverse the spell, she willingly sacrifices herself to fix the damage, showing her deep love and finding her own redemption. Through her actions, Prakriti’s mother is key to Prakriti’s journey of self-discovery. Her decision to cast the spell, although not well thought out, leads to events that force Prakriti to face the results of her desires. Her later act of self-sacrifice teaches a strong lesson about love, sacrifice, and compassion.
Questions related to the character of Prakriti’s Mother
Q1. How does Prakriti’s mother fulfil her desire?
Q2. Highlight the character traits of Prakriti’s mother.
Character Sketch of Ananda
Ananda is an important character in the play, though he is not as fully developed as Prakriti or her mother. He is a disciple of the Buddha, a monk who shows spiritual purity, detachment, and compassion. Ananda first meets Prakriti when he simply asks for water. At that moment, he ignores the strict caste system and recognizes Prakriti’s humanity, offering her respect and dignity. His words and actions greatly impact Prakriti, helping her understand herself and her place in the world. In the play, Ananda symbolizes spiritual strength and moral integrity. Even when he falls under a magic spell, he appears as a victim of outside forces, struggling with unnatural desires imposed on him. Ananda’s suffering sparks Prakriti’s transformation. Seeing the noble monk degraded and tormented by her actions forces Prakriti to face the harmful nature of her own desire and the true meaning of love and devotion. In the end, Ananda’s purity returns, and he breaks free from the spell’s influence. Although his role in the play is brief, it is crucial for starting Prakriti’s journey of self-discovery and redemption.
Questions related to the character of Ananda
Q1. How does Ananda bring a change in Prakriti?
Q2. Who is Ananda? Highlight his character traits.