DHRUVSWAMINI - ACT II – ANALYSIS

Saquib Shaikh
1st Year
Modern Indian Drama
Guided by Asif Ali Haider
ABOUT THE ACT II
The Play is based during the Shak and Guota Dynasty war period. It can be
seen that the Shaks are dominating the battle with the Guptas. Guptas
have given up because of the coward nature of Ramgupta.
In the Act II, Dhruvswamini is about to arrive as the Guptas have given up
in the battle, which makes Shakraj excited and happy. On the other hand,
Koma, Shakraj’s love, is depressed with the political tactics of Shakraj. The
disappointment is severed when she comes to know that Dhruvswamini
will become the new queen of Shakraj. Mihirdev, Koma’s father, persuades
Koma to leave Shakraj by showing bad omen being indicated by stars.
On the other side, Chandragupta, disguised as Dhruvswamini, has already
arrived alongwith Dhruvswamini herself, keeping Shakraj in a dilemma of
the real Gupta queen. By finding the right opportunity, Chandragupta kills
Shakraj and successfully saves the Guptas and Dhruvswamini from shame.

ABOUT THE CHARACTER SHAKRAJ

Shakraj is the ruler of Shak Dynasty. Shaks have always been losing to the
Guptas and now this it’s a great opportunity for to him to win the battle
against them. With his barbaric nature, Shakraj is demanding the queen of
Gupats as a gift, to put them in shame.
The pride of Shakraj for his Kingdom is of such extent that he even ignores
his love for his harsh petty politics. He knows that somewhere he is going
wrong, but his fear and losing of Koma is completely overshadowed by his
male pride eventually leading to his death. He would have his life and love
and even the battle if he would not have led his male pride to such
extremism.

Overall, Act II and Shakraj’s character explains that, inspite of being

powerful, how extreme pride and ignorance can lead to our downfall.
ABOUT UNIT 1
This act is based in the Shak Dynasty and the area seems
to be the Tibetan Belt close to Kashmir. Koma talks
about the dryness of the plants and the frowning of
flowers symbolizing her own internal condition. It is
found that the primary reason for Koma’s unhappiness
is ignorance of Shakraj because of the ongoing battles
with the Guptas. She also appears to overthink about
madness in love.
ABOUT UNIT 2
Shakraj is worried about the ongoing war and is deeply
involved in it, such that he carries a sword with himself.
Also, his involvement and concern with the war and its
consequences is of the extent that he doesn’t notices
that Koma is around him. He is waiting for Khingal to get
the updates of war. He knows his dominance in war but
also realizes that he will also have shed a lot of blood in
the battle.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 2
Shakraj is talking to himself and is worried and alert
about the present war conditions. Hence, he even
carries a sword with himself. He is aware that he can win
the war but knows about the consequences and losses
too. He also has doubt if Khingal is under Guptas’
custody. He wishes to control his anxiety and thoughts
and realises that Koma was around him when he’s was
talking to himself.
ABOUT UNIT 3
Koma is upset with Shakraj and displays her anger by
behaving extra formally as if there is no love between
them, but only a master-slave relation. Shakraj soon
realises this and tries to explain his behavioural changes
because of the present war with the Guptas. Koma is of
the view that we ourselves are responsible for the
reason of our worries. Shakraj seems to be a little
ignorant towards Koma’s philosophy.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 3
Shakraj loves Koma; but in the present condition, He
needs to pay more attention at the war as he’s a King.
He feels bad to see Koma in an upset mood and feels
sorry for her. Hence, he tries to convince Koma to ignore
all such negativity. Shakraj feels that Koma’s statements
are not practical and doable in present state. Shakraj
gets angry at Koma as she’s not ready to understand
Shakraj in spite of explaining her repeatedly. Hence, he
eventually sends Koma to get some wine for him.
ABOUT UNIT 4
Khingal comes up with the message that the Guptas
gave up the battle and are ready to accept the demands
by Shaks. Shakraj is surprised with joy and is
overwhelmed when hears that even Dhruvswamini will
also be sent as a gift under his Majesty. Koma is in deep
shock with this; however, Shakraj shows his pride and
happiness by calling for celebration along with the lords
and dancers.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 4
Shakraj is pleased to hear that Guptas are willing to
accept the demands of Shaks. He is so pleased that the
holds the hands of Khingal as he’s overjoyed. His male
pride is grown after hearing that Dhruvswamini will be
arriving and hence calls for a celebration to show a
king’s honour and pride.
ABOUT UNIT 5
In this unit, dancers are singing and dancing celebrating
this victorious occasion. Lords seem to be in favour and
appraisal of Shakraj’s planning and dominance. Since
the battle has like ended, Lords seem to be comfortable
and in a mood of fun where they even mock a fight
between themselves.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 5
Shakraj enjoys the celebrations in pride and eventually
he signals Khingal to end the celebration as it late and
the day has ended.
ABOUT UNIT 6
Shakraj comes to know that Dhruvswamini has arrived.
Without any further ado, he orders Khingal to bring her
immediately to meet him alone as per Dhruvswamini’s
wish. Shakraj is excited to meet Dhruvswamini. In the
middle of this, Koma is completely unnoticed by Shakraj.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 6
Shakraj is super excited to meet Dhruvswamini. Hence,
he even ends the ongoing celebration after some time.
He is desperate to meet Dhruvswamini. His male pride
boasts when he comes to know that Dhruvswamini
wants to meet him alone; hence he makes fun of their
merciful condition.
ABOUT UNIT 7
Koma is unhappy with Dhruvswamini’s arrival, unlike
Shakraj. Koma starts questioning Shakraj’s love for her
because the entry of new queen. However, he explains
that it’s a part of his political agenda and points her not
to interfere in this which upsets Koma.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 7
Shakraj loves Koma, but presently his feelings are
dominated by his aggressive political tactics and male
ego which makes him desperate to meet Dhruvswamini.
He is actually stuck in this weird situation of love and
politics that he fails to convince Koma about his political
stand. Hence, he even shows his anger at Koma when
he is unable to answer Koma’s questions.
ABOUT UNIT 8
Mihirder, Koma’s father enquires about his daughter’s
sadness and comes to know about the current scenario.
He shows dissent and displeasure over Shakraj’s
decisions and questions about Koma’s existence and
relation. Mihirdev is not favour of Shakraj’s politics and
explains that love and emotion is more important than
any political agenda, but all of this goes in vain.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 8
Being a Religious Guru, Shakraj shows respect towards
Mihirdev. But when Shakraj is puzzled by Mihirdev for
Koma on love and politics, Shakraj becomes furious and
leaves in order to avoid any sort of argument.
ABOUT UNIT 9
Mihirdev is disappointed with Shakraj and his political
stand. Hence, he convinces his daughter to end the
relation. However, Koma is hesitant as she’s deeply in
love with Shakraj. Mihirdev even convinces her by
explaining that stars are indicating a bad omen; but
Koma’s continued dilemma leads to Mihirdev’s anger
and hence leaves by giving some time to think on this.
Koma soon realises and breaks her heart and the
relation with Shakraj by deciding to leave Shakraj’s
place.
ABOUT UNIT 10
Koma tells Shakraj that she’s ending the relation with
him. She also explains the bad omen indicated by the
stars. Shakraj tries to stop Koma and wishes that
Mihirdev helps to come out of this bad period. But
Shakraj’s words are unheard as Koma has already made
up her mind to obey her father. Shakraj is deeply
frightened with the indications of the stars and is
worried about it and feels helpless.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 10
Shakraj does not want any kind of bad luck to stay in his
empire or with him. Hence, he wants to call Mihirdev for
help as he knows he is the only one who can help him
get rid of this situation. He also convinces Koma to come
back for the sake of their love but Koma rejects that too.
Shakraj is very stunned after looking at the stars and
clouds of fear starts gathering over his head.
ABOUT UNIT 11
Shakraj comes to know that Dhruvswamini is about to
arrive and meet him. At the same time, he’s worried
about the bad omen told by Mihirdev to Koma. Hence,
he goes to convince Koma to bring her back.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 11
Shakraj is ready to meet Dhruvswamini and also makes
sure that no one will be around during their meet. At the
same time, his worry about the bad omen increases by
looking at the stars. Inspite that he knows that
Dhruvswamini will be entering in anytime soon, he
decides to get back Koma so that Mihirdev gets him out
of this expected bad situation.
ABOUT UNIT 12
Chandragupta (in women’s attire, disguised as
Dhruvswamini) and Dhruvswamini have arrived.
Chandragupta shows his optimism by considering the
indications of stars as a good sign for him. Dhruvswamini
is concerned for him and asks him to leave this woman’s
life and go back. But Chandragupta is pretty clear and
confident about his decisions.
ABOUT UNIT 13
Shakraj sees two beautiful women and is so confused
with who being Dhruvswamini amongst them. His
confusion when both of them claim themselves as
Dhruvswamini. Dhruvswamini tries to stop
Chandragupta from calling himself as Dhruvswamini but
they quarrel and argue with each other over this.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 13
Shakraj is puzzled by looking at two women in front of
him. He tries to confirm who the real Dhruvswamini is.
Shakraj even shows his male dominance and superiority
by considering both of them under his Majesty.
ABOUT UNIT 14
Shakraj is very much worried and frightened by looking
at the stars. After watching Dhruvswamini and
Chandragupta repeatedly fighting over to prove who
the real Dhruvswamini is, he tries to get rid of them by
stating that a final decision about the queen will be
taken the next day. During their conversation,
Chandragupta is ready to attack Shakraj; soon Shakraj
realises this. Shakraj and Chandragupta battle with each
other and Shakraj is killed. Lords from Gupta Dynasty
arrive and sing slogans in the name of Dhruvswamini
after being victorious over the Shaks.

SHAKRAJ IN UNIT 14
Shakraj sees Dhruvswamini and Chandragupta fighting
with each other over Dhruvswamini’s position. Shakraj
is shocked to see this dreadful scene of two women
battling with each other. He is sceptical of the current
situation and remembers Mihirdev’s warnings. He tries
to abandon them by asking them to leave and rest. But
soon Shakraj is shocked to see Chandragupta in his real
form. He tries to defend with himself by battling with
Chandragupta but is killed in no time.