Kanta (pronounced [kɑnta]) is an 1882 Gujarati play by Manilal Dwivedi, based on a historical event; the killing of King Jayshikhari of Patan by King Bhuvad of Panchasar. Dwivedi added the characters of Tarala, Haradas and Ratnadas from his own imagination and gave dramatic twists to the original story in order to make the story more suitable for a dramatic retelling. It has been called the most outstanding play of the 19th century in Gujarati literature. Reportedly, the play has elements of Sanskrit drama and Shakespearean tragedy reflected in its construction, due to Dwivedi's recent translation of Sanskrit play Malatimadhavam and studies of Shakespeare's plays. Kanta had moderate success on the stage. The Mumbai Gujarati Natak Mandali inaugurated its theatrical activities by staging thi