Rotational dynamics of a nondipolar solute, 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-dioxo-3, 6-diphenylpyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole (DMDPP) and a dipolar solute, coumarin 6 (C6) has been studied in the isotropic phase of a liquid crystal, 4'-methoxybenzylidene-4-n-butylaniline (MBBA) to understand the influence of pseudonematic domains on the dynamics of dopant molecules. The reorientation times of both DMDPP and C6 follow the Stokes-Einstein-Debye hydrodynamic model instead of the Landau-de Gennes model, which is used to describe the rotational relaxation of neat isotropic liquid crystals. However, comparison of the data for both DMDPP and C6 in MBBA to that in an isotropic solvent, 1-decanol reveals that the probes are rotating considerably slower in the liquid crystal. These results indicate that ordered local structures of the liquid crystal exert more friction on the rotating solute molecule compared to an isotropic liquid. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.