“Malati and Malkhava” Bhavabhuti in summary


The play in verse and prose

Bhurivasu, the minister of Padmavati, the king of the city, and Devarata, the minister of the country of Vidarbha, as soon as Bhurivas was given birth to Malati’s daughter, and Devarata’s son Madhava, conspired to betrothed them. But King Padmavati firmly decided to marry Malati for his pet – the courtier of Nandan. Prevent this marriage is taken by an old friend Bhurivasu and Devarata wise Buddhist nun Kamandaki. She invites Madhava to Padmavathi and during a spring festival she arranges a meeting of Malati and Madhava, during which they fall in love and exchange their portraits and vows of eternal fidelity. In addition, Kamandaki for the implementation of their plans attracts the sister of Nandana Madayantiku to the side of lovers. The tiger bursts into Madayanta, but the friend of Madhava Makaranda saves her and conquers her heart with her courage.

Disregarding the requests of Bhurivas, Malati and Madayantika, the king announces

the engagement of Malati and Nandana. In desperation Madhava goes to the cemetery, ready to enlist the support of the cemetery demons, just to upset the marriage. But just when he appears in the cemetery, Yoginl Kapalakundada arrives there with Malati, who was kidnapped by her, so that the yogini master of the sorceress Aghoraghanta brings the beautiful girl of the city to the bloody goddess Chamdunde, or Durga, and has found an irresistible magical power. Madhava rushes to Malatya’s defense, kills Aghoraghanta, and Kapalakundala, in impotent rage, vows to take revenge on him and his lover.

Meanwhile, preparations are being made for the wedding of Malati and Nandana. During the wedding procession, Malati enters the temple to pray to the gods, and here Kamandaki dresses her up, puts on her wedding attire for Makaranda, who during the next ceremony substitutes the bride. Kamandaki herself covers Madhava and Malati in her abode. When Nandana, left alone with the imaginary Malati, tries to seize it, he unexpectedly encounters a resolute rebuff, and, frustrated and humiliated, refuses the disobedient bride.

Having successfully completed her mission, Makaranda, along with Madayantika, who took part in the deception, flee to the monastery of Kamandaki and join Malati and Madhava.

However, tests for lovers are not over yet. Madhave and Makarande have to fight with city guards, pursuing fugitives. And during the fight, Kapalakundada arrives and kidnaps Malati, intending to betray her cruel death in retaliation for the death of Aghoraghanta. Madhava, learning about the kidnapping of Malati, in despair is ready to rush into the river. They intend to put an end to their lives and all of his friends and even Kamandaki, whose plan was suddenly upset. But then there is a student and a friend of Kamandaki Saudamini, who owns the great secrets of yoga. With her art she rescues Malati from captivity and death and returns her to Madhave. At the same time, she reads the message of the king, in which, with the consent of Nandana, he allows Malati and Madhava, Madayantike and Makaranda to marry. Joyful joy replaces the participants in the events of recent fear and despondency.


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“Malati and Malkhava” Bhavabhuti in summary