RULES FOR THE PRONUNCIATION OF THE PROPER NAMES.
Observe, that in order to secure the correct pronunciation of the title of this Drama, 'Sakuntalá' has been spelt '[S']akoontalá,' the u of [S']akuntalá being pronounced like the u in the English word rule.
The vowel a must invariably be pronounced with a dull sound, like the a in organ, or the u in gun, sun. Dushyanta must therefore be pronounced as if written Dooshyunta. The long vowel á is pronounced like the a in last, cart; i like the i in pin, sin; í like the i in marine; e like the e in prey; o like the o in so; ai like the ai in aisle; au like au in the German word haus, or like the ou in our.
The consonants are generally pronounced as in English, but g has always the sound of g in gun, give, never of g in gin. S with the accent over it (s), has the sound of s in sure, or of the last s in session.
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PERSONS REPRESENTED.
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DUSHYANTA, King of India.
MÁ[T.]HAVYA, the jester, friend, and companion of the King.
KANWA, chief of the hermits, foster-father of [S']AKOONTALÁ.
[S']ÁRNGARAVA,} } two Bráhmans, belonging to the hermitage of KANWA. [S']ÁRADWATA, }
MITRÁVASU, brother-in-law of the King, and superintendent of the city police.
JÁNUKA and SÚCHAKA, two constables.
VÁTÁYANA, the chamberlain or attendant on the women's apartments.
SOMARÁTA, the domestic priest.
KARABHAKA, a messenger of the queen-mother.
RAIVATIKA, the warder or doorkeeper.
MÁTALI, charioteer of Indra.
SARVA-DAMANA, afterwards BHARATA, a little boy, son
of DUSHYANTA by [S']AKOONTALÁ.
KA[S']YAPA, a divine sage, progenitor of men and gods, son of
MARÍCHI, and grandson of BRAHMÁ.
[S']AKOONTALÁ, daughter of the sage VI[S']WÁMITRA and the
nymph MENAKÁ, foster-child of the hermit KANWA.
PRIYAMVADÁ and ANASÚYÁ, female attendants, companions
of [S']AKOONTALÁ.
GAUTAMÍ, a holy matron, Superior of the female inhabitants
of the hermitage.
VASUMATÍ, the Queen of DUSHYANTA.
SÁNUMATÍ, a nymph, friend of [S']AKOONTALÁ.
TARALIKÁ, personal attendant of the Queen.
CHATURIKÁ, personal attendant of the King.
VETRAVATÍ, female warder or doorkeeper.
PARABHRITIKÁ} and
MADHUKARIKÁ,} maidens in charge of the royal gardens.
SUVRATÁ, a nurse.
ADITI, wife of KA[S']YAPA; granddaughter of BRAHMÁ through her father DAKSHA.