Chandalika

Chandalika is a Class 12 GSEB English drama from the Kaleidoscope textbook, written by Rabindranath Tagore. The play is based on a Buddhist legend about Prakriti, a girl from an untouchable caste, and Ananda, a disciple of the Buddha. When Ananda asks Prakriti for water without considering her caste, she experiences what she calls a “new birth” and begins to recognise her own dignity and humanity.
 

The drama explores caste discrimination, self-respect, human dignity, love, desire, pride, freedom, and spiritual awakening. Prakriti's newly discovered self-worth gradually turns into an intense desire to possess Ananda, leading her to ask her mother to use magic to bring him to her. When she sees the suffering caused by her desire, she realises that genuine love should not mean possession. 
 

Students develop Reading, Critical Thinking, Literary Analysis, Social Awareness, Empathy, Reasoning Skills, and Communication Skills while studying this drama. The chapter is particularly useful for understanding caste inequality and human dignity in Chandalika, along with Tagore's treatment of psychological and spiritual conflict.