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Urubhanga

Urubhanga, literally The Broken Thigh, is a classical Sanskrit drama traditionally ascribed to the early Indian dramatist Bhasa. The exact date of its composition is uncertain, with scholarly estimates placing it somewhere between the 2nd century BCE and the early centuries CE. The play is closely linked to the Mahabharata and dramatizes the violent confrontation between Bhima and the Kuru prince Duryodhana, culminating in the act that gives the title to the work.

The plot centers on intense personal enmity, pride, and moral dilemma. Bhima’s fury and resolve clash with

Urubhanga is notable in the history of Indian theatre for its early experimentation with characterization, rhetorical

See also: Mahabharata, Bhima, Duryodhana, Bhasa, Sanskrit drama.

Duryodhana’s
arrogance,
and
the
drama
explores
themes
of
dharma
(duty),
power,
and
vengeance.
The
pivotal
moment—often
described
in
shorthand
as
Bhima
breaking
Duryodhana’s
thigh—serves
as
a
dramatic
and
symbolic
focal
point,
illustrating
the
tension
between
heroic
sport
and
violated
ethics.
Through
extended
dialogues,
soliloquies,
and
rapid
exchanges,
the
play
delves
into
characters’
motives
and
the
costs
of
war,
offering
a
psychologically
charged
reading
of
a
legendary
confrontation.
style,
and
dramatic
structure
within
a
Sanskrit
framework.
It
influenced
later
Sanskrit
dramaturgy
and
has
been
the
subject
of
scholarly
study,
critical
editions,
and
translations.
The
text
survives
in
several
palm-leaf
manuscripts
and
has
been
explored
in
modern
performances
and
academic
discussions
as
an
example
of
how
early
drama
reinterprets
epic
material
and
ethical
ambiguity.