Sūdraka

Little is known for certain about this early Indian dramatist, and even the dates of his life are debated. Traditional accounts describe him as a king, while modern reference works treat him as a partly legendary figure from classical India whose name is chiefly connected with Sanskrit drama.

He is most famous for Mṛcchakaṭika (The Little Clay Cart), a ten-act play long admired for its vivid characters and theatrical momentum. The story of the noble but impoverished Cārudatta and the courtesan Vasantasenā gives the play warmth, wit, suspense, and a surprisingly broad picture of urban life.

Other works have also been attributed to him, including Vīṇā-Vāsavadattā and Padmaprabhṛtaka, though the details are less secure. What has lasted most clearly is the reputation of The Little Clay Cart as one of the most engaging works in the Sanskrit dramatic tradition.