Written in 2nd Century BC, the central story is that of noble but impoverished young Brahmin, ChÄrudatta who falls in love with a wealthy courtesan or nagarvadhu, VasantasenÄ. Rife with romance, comedy, intrigue and a political subplot detailing the overthrow of the city's despotic ruler by a shepherd, the play is notable among extant Sanskrit drama for its focus on a fictional scenario rather than on a classical tale or legend. The movie Utsav (1984) is based on this play.
