Chitrangada

Chitrangada, the daughter of the King of Manipur, was brought up by her father as a son and taught war craft, politics and archery. Arjuna, the epic hero of the Mahabharata, met her in Manipur during his years of exile. The story of Tagore’s play, Chitrangada, begins at this juncture. Chitrangada sees Arjuna, falls in love with him and awakens the ‘woman’ in her. She knows Arjuna cannot love her the way she is and asks for a boon to transform herself into a beautiful woman. Arjuna falls in love with the transformed Chitrangada. Though she believes she has everything in life, Chitrangada wishes that Arjuna could love her for her true self. Arjuna hears about the warrior princess and wishes to meet her. Chitrangada reveals her true self to Arjuna. No longer in love just for her beauty, Arjuna marries Chitrangada.