Ashwamedh

Ashwamedh (Gujarati: અશ્વમેધ) is a Gujarati language three-act play written by Chinu Modi. It has endured some controversy due to its bold and taboo theme.[1] However, it is considered one of the finest works of Modi by several critics.[2]

Ashwamedh
Coverpage
AuthorChinu Modi
Cover artistShailesh Modi
CountryIndia
LanguageGujarati
SubjectIndian Mythology
GenreThree-act play
Set inAhmedabad
PublishedOctober 1986
PublisherRannade Prakashan
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages102
OCLC655662387

Plot

Mohini, the main character of the play, is the wife of King Vichitrasen. She experienced sexual orgasm at the age of 16 while riding a horse. The rituals of Ashvamedha yajna demand that once the king becomes Chakravarti (undisputed sovereign), the chief queen must have sexual intercourse with the horse.

In accordance with this ritual, Mohini suggests that her husband organizes Ashvamedha yajna at the beginning of the play. She tells the king that her wish is to see him as a Chakravarti king, but her main desire lies in having sex with the horse. For the purpose of the yajna, she chooses a horse named Bijak from the royal stable. As the yajna starts, she displays blind sexual attraction towards the horse. At the end of the yajna, when she approaches the horse for the ritualistic sex, she finds that Bijak is exhausted from running for a whole year and has lost the charm it had earlier. She refuses to recognize the horse. Due to the unfulfilled sexual desire and her resulting anger, she commits suicide on the spot with a sword. Her suicide tragically concludes the play.[3]

In the play, Chinu Modi vividly described the crisis in the life of King Vichitrasen and the soldiers who went for the yajna. Modi has used chorus to signify a situation in the play.[4]

References
  1. "Ashwamedh". Gujarati Sahityakosh (Encyclopedia of Gujarati Literature (in Gujarati). Ahmedabad: Gujarati Sahitya Parishad. 1990. p. 14.
  2. Brahmbhatt, Prasad (2014). Arvachin Gujarati Sahityano Itihas (History of Modern Gujarati Literature). Ahmedabad: Parshva Publication. p. 97. ISBN 978-93-5108-247-7.
  3. Dave, Arjun (2016). Reception of myth in the select plays of Girish Karnad and Chinu Modi a comparative study (Ph.D). Saurashtra University. hdl:10603/125878. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  4. Raval, Rushikesh (May 2016). Joshi, Yogesh (ed.). "Article about Ashwamedh play". Parab. Ahmedabad: Gujarati Sahitya Parishad.
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