Summary of Chitra by Rabindranath Tagore

Setting (place and time): Manipur, India during Dwapara Yuga

Themes: love, beauty, gender roles, identity, and illusion versus reality

Characters:

1. Chitra: The Princess of Manipur

2. Madana: The god of love

3. Vasanta: The god of springtime and eternal youth

4. Arjuna: The prince of the house of the Kurus, and one of the five Pandavas

‘Chitra’ is a one-act play written by Rabindranath Tagore, and first published in English in 1913. It is based on the story of 'The Mahabharata’. The play tells the story of Chitra and Arjuna. Chitra is a princess of Manipur, raised as a warrior. She talks to Madana, the god of love, and Vasanta, the god of spring, about her struggle as a woman warrior.

Chitra meets Arjuna in the forest while hunting, wearing a man's costume. She pricks him arrogantly, revealing her dream to prove her archery skills. The next day, Chitra wears women's clothes, confesses her love, but Arjuna rejects her, focused on his celibacy.

Chitra asks gods for a day of beauty to win Arjuna's love. They grant her a year of extraordinary beauty. Arjuna, amazed, accepts her. However, Chitra is unhappy as Arjuna loves her temporary beauty, not her true self.

After a year, Chitra grows increasingly disillusioned with their relationship built solely on temporary beauty. Vasanta advises Chitra to use the remaining time to be honest and unveil her true self, hoping for genuine love from Arjuna. Chitra is skeptical.

As the year ends, Arjuna grows restless, questioning Chitra's identity. She requests gods for extreme beauty in their last night together. Meanwhile, Arjuna hears about Princess Chitra and wonders about her.

Chitra, disguised, reassures Arjuna about Manipur's safety. Arjuna admits he'd love her more if she were like Princess Chitra. Chitra confesses she is the princess and pregnant with his son.

The play ends with Chitra telling Arjuna that she is Princess Chitra. She asked the gods for beauty to make him love her. She knows she's not perfect, but if he accepts her, she'll stay with him forever. Chitra also says she's going to have his baby. Arjuna accepts her wholeheartedly, and their love finds new ground.