Thinking Activity : T.P Kailasama's The Cure or Karna

 

    T.P. KAILASAMA'S THE CURSE OR KARNA

 

Hello, readers! In this blog, I’ll be reflecting on the questions assigned by Megha Ma’am, focusing on T.P. Kailasam’s The Karna or Curse. Through this exploration, I’ll dive into the play’s themes, characters, and its core message, shedding light on how Kailasam reinterprets the iconic figure of Karna from the Mahabharata. Join me as I unpack the essence of the story and tackle the key questions posed in our discussion.

Introduction : 

   T.P.Kailasam 

    

   T.P. Kailasam  was a pioneering figure in modern Indian theatre, often referred to as the “Father of Modern Kannada Theatre.” Born in 1884, he was a multifaceted personality—a playwright, poet, humorist, and social reformer. Kailasam is renowned for his unconventional and bold reimaginings of Indian epics and myths, particularly from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. His works often highlighted the human and psychological dimensions of iconic characters, focusing on their flaws and inner conflicts.

The Curse or Karna: 

   

   In The Karna or Curse, Kailasam reinterprets the tragic figure of Karna, a character from the Mahabharata, portraying him as a hero burdened by fate and societal constraints. His portrayal of Karna resonates with themes of injustice, identity, and loyalty, challenging traditional heroic narratives and offering a more compassionate perspective on the character. Kailasam’s plays, typically written in Kannada and English, aimed to break away from elitist, Sanskritized theatre and reach common people, focusing on social issues, class disparity, and human values.

  Kailasam’s The Curse or Karna delves into these psychological and emotional depths, portraying Karna as a man who suffers not only because of external forces but also due to his internal conflict—torn between loyalty, honor, and a sense of injustice. The play stands as a critique of societal norms and offers a more empathetic, humanized version of Karna’s story, making it a unique contribution to Indian theatre and mythology.

• Is Moral Conflict and Hamartia there in Karna's Character ?

   Karna’s moral dilemma intensifies when his biological mother, Kunti, reveals his true parentage and pleads with him to join his brothers, the Pandavas, in their battle. This revelation shakes Karna to his core, as he realizes that he shares not only blood but also strength and potential with the Pandavas.

 

 Yet, despite this newfound connection, Karna is caught in a deep internal conflict. On one side is his duty to his bloodline, and on the other is his unwavering loyalty to Duryodhana. Duryodhana, who had raised Karna’s status and treated him with honor, remains the figure Karna feels indebted to, bound by a promise of friendship and allegiance. The real conflict lies in whether Karna should embrace his rightful place alongside the Pandavas or honor the loyalty and respect Duryodhana has bestowed upon him, even though they stand on opposing sides in the war.

  Karna's tragic flaw, or hamartia, stems from the deception he committed when he lied to his guru, Parshuram, to gain knowledge. Knowing that Parshuram only taught Brahmins, Karna concealed his true Kshatriya identity. This dishonesty resulted in a curse that would later haunt him during key moments in battle, marking a pivotal weakness in his character. Another flaw that contributes to his downfall is his unyielding loyalty to Duryodhana. Despite being aware of Duryodhana’s moral failings, Karna remained fiercely devoted, even leading the fight against Arjuna in the Kurukshetra war. Karna’s tragic end aligns with Aristotle’s concept of the "flawed good man"—a person of virtue whose undoing comes from their own missteps. While Karna possesses many noble qualities, his virtues are ultimately compromised by his moral errors, which lead to his downfall, illustrating how even a person of high moral standing can be brought down by their flaws.

• Karna - The Voice of Subltem

    

    The term "subaltern" originally referred to lower-ranking officers in the British army, particularly those beneath the rank of captain. Over time, its meaning expanded to describe individuals who were marginalized and deprived of education or basic rights due to factors such as birth, caste, or class. These individuals were relegated to a lower social status and were often denied basic freedoms, including the right to voice their opinions or access education. During the colonial era, those subjugated by imperial powers like the British, who were stripped of their fundamental rights, were also considered subaltern.

The concept of the subaltern was introduced by Ranjit Guha and heavily influenced by the ideas of Marxist thinker Antonio Gramsci. It was later elaborated upon by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak in her influential essay Can the Subaltern Speak? Although subalterns are often viewed as voiceless or unable to contribute to societal discourse, Spivak argued that their voices are not inherently silent but are often ignored or overlooked by those in power. Karna, a significant figure in the Mahabharata, can be seen as an example of the subaltern. Despite his considerable talents and abilities, Karna was treated as inferior due to his perceived low caste status as a Sootha Putra.

Raised in a Sootha family, unaware of his noble origins, Karna embodied the subaltern experience, facing denial of education and social rights. His loyalty to Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra war wasn’t driven by shared values but rather by his limited choices and a sense of loyalty rooted in gratitude. Even when he tried to intervene during the disrobing of Draupadi, his protests were dismissed. Despite his integrity and virtues, Karna’s voice was systematically ignored, rendering him a classic example of a subaltern figure, silenced by the societal structures around him.

Conclusion : 

    In conclusion, T.P. Kailasam's The Curse or Karna offers a fresh perspective on Karna’s life by questioning the caste-based discrimination and societal prejudices that dictate his destiny. Kailasam challenges traditional notions of divine justice and heroism, highlighting the deep-seated injustices and power structures that uphold such social hierarchies. Through Karna’s character, the play reveals the human cost of these biases, critiquing the very systems that determine one’s place in society.

        Thank you.....