Who is the author of the Sanskrit drama 'Ratnavali'?

"Ratnavali" ("The Pearl Necklace") is a Sanskrit drama attributed to King Harshavardhana (Harsha), who ruled north India from about 606 to 647 CE.

About Ratnavali:

It is a romantic comedy in four acts.

It tells the love story of King Udayana of Vatsa (Kaushambi) and Ratnavali, a princess of Simhala (Sri Lanka). After a shipwreck, she lives secretly as a maid named Sagarika in the palace of Udayana's queen, Vasavadatta.

After many complications and the help of the clever minister Yaugandharayana, Udayana and Ratnavali are united.

The play describes the spring festival (Madanotsava) and court life in detail.

Harsha's three plays:

• "Ratnavali" and "Priyadarshika": both romantic comedies about King Udayana.
• "Nagananda": a Buddhist play about the self-sacrifice of Prince Jimutavahana, who gives his life to save the Nagas (serpents) from Garuda.

About Harshavardhana:

• He belonged to the Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) dynasty and ruled from Thanesar and later Kannauj.
• He was a patron of literature and learning, and he supported Nalanda University.
• His court poet Banabhatta wrote "Harshacharita" (his biography) and "Kadambari".
• The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited his kingdom and described his religious assemblies at Kannauj and Prayag.
• He was defeated by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II on the banks of the Narmada, according to the Aihole inscription.

Other Sanskrit dramatists:

• Kalidasa: "Abhijnanashakuntalam", "Vikramorvashiyam", "Malavikagnimitram".
• Bhasa: "Svapnavasavadattam", which also tells a story of Udayana and Vasavadatta.
• Vishakhadatta: "Mudrarakshasa", a political drama about Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya.
• Bhavabhuti: "Uttararamacharita".

Why not the other options?

• ✗Kalidasa wrote "Abhijnanashakuntalam".
• ✗Bhasa wrote "Svapnavasavadattam".
• ✗Vishakhadatta wrote "Mudrarakshasa".