Bhavabhūti - Baba Būti (English spelling)

Date of birth and death unknown. Indian playwright. Active in the 8th century. A Brahmin from Padmapura in central India, he was well versed in the Vedic studies and mastered various schools of philosophy. According to historian Kalhana, he was under the protection of King Yasovarman of Kanyakubja (reigned around 730-740). He wrote three plays: the love drama "Mālatimadhava," the "Mahābīracharita," based on the story of the hero Rama and forming the basis of the Rama drama that became popular in later generations, and the "Uttara Ramacharita," which dramatizes the story of Prince Rama after his triumphant return to the capital.

[Tanaka Otoya]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

生没年不詳。インドの劇作家。活躍期は8世紀。中部インドのパドマプラのバラモンの出身で、ベーダの諸学に通じ、各派の哲学を究めた。歴史家カルハナによれば、彼はカニヤークブジャのヤショーバルマン王（在位730～740ころ）の庇護(ひご)を受けたという。恋愛劇『マーラティーマーダバ』、英雄ラーマの物語を題材とし、後世流行したラーマ劇の基をなした『マハービーラチャリタ』、ラーマ王子が首都凱旋(がいせん)後の物語を脚色した『ウッタララーマチャリタ』の三編の戯曲がある。

［田中於莵弥］

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