Prakriti’s Guilt and Redemption: A Comparative Study of Rabindranath Tagore’s Chandalika and TV serial Buddha

This study attempts to examine the themes of guilt and redemption in Rabindranath Tagore's play Chandalika and the Zee TV's serial Buddha (episode no.46).By analyzing the character arc of Prakriti, the study investigates how societal norms, personal desire, and spiritual transformation shape journey in both the narratives.On one hand, the play Chandalika presents Prakriti's struggle as a strong psychological inner conflict.On the other hand, the TV serial Buddha plots her story within the traditional Buddhist philosophy, focusing on external guidance and the teachings of Gautama Buddha.Both also highlight themes of caste-based discrimination and self-respect.This paper compares these two narratives, discussing some differences in character development, plot and calming down of the unrest.While Tagore's drama delves into Prakriti's internal conflict and self-realization, the television adaptation emphasizes moral instruction and spiritual transformation.The study states that both the versions differ in her ultimate redemption.