‘Curse of Karna’ by T. P. Kailasam is a renowned Kannada play that offers a unique perspective on the Mahabharata, focusing on the tragic and misunderstood figure of Karna. The play delves into Karna’s inner struggles, his loyalty to Duryodhana despite recognising the moral flaws in the Kaurava cause, and his yearning for recognition and respect as a warrior. Kailasam’s portrayal emphasises Karna’s human qualities, particularly his sense of duty and honor, which often conflict with his personal desires and the larger narrative of destiny and fate. This blog is a thinking activity, assigned by Megha Ma’am. In this blog, I shall answer questions related to this play.
Before I begin with the blog, let us understand about the author.
About the Author: T. P. Kailasama
Tyagraj Paramasiva Iyer Kailasam (1884 - 1946), commonly known as T. P. Kailasam, was a prominent playwright and a celebrated figure in Kannada literature. Often referred to as the “Father of Humorous Plays,” Kailasam revolutionized theater by introducing wit and satire as tools to critique society. His sharp, humorous commentary on social issues resonated widely with audiences, making his work both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Kailasam was known for his innovative approach to drama. He moved away from the elaborate, stylized sets that were common during his time, favoring simple and realistic stage designs that made his plays more relatable and accessible. His plays often combined humor with a deeper reflection on societal norms, challenging conventions and shedding light on human behavior.
A pioneer in modern Kannada drama, Kailasam’s legacy endures in his ability to use humor as a means of social critique, making him a cornerstone of Kannada literature and theater.
1. Interpret all the acts and scenes in brief.
Act I
Scene I: Karna leaves his ashram, marking the beginning of his journey as he seeks recognition and respect. This scene establishes Karna’s origins and his initial struggles as the son of a charioteer (sutaputra), striving for greater purpose.
Scene II: Karna meets Raama (Parshuram) before leaving. However, Raama curses Karna when he discovers Karna’s true caste, believing he was deceived. This curse becomes a pivotal moment, symbolizing Karna’s tragic fate.
This act sets the tone for Karna’s life as one of rejection, struggle, and yearning for respect. By leaving the ashram, Karna seeks to transcend his identity as a sutaputra (charioteer’s son) and prove himself as a warrior, showcasing his ambition and determination. The encounter with Raama highlights the rigid social hierarchy and the prejudice embedded in caste-based society. Despite Karna’s dedication and skill, Raama curses him due to the perceived deception about his caste, reinforcing how Karna’s fate is tied to his social status rather than his merit. Parshuram’s curse foreshadows Karna’s downfall, framing the inevitability of fate versus human agency—an overarching theme in the play.
Act II
The scene shifts to the royal stadium at Hastinapur, where a grand competition is taking place. Karna displays his unparalleled skills as an archer, challenging Arjuna and earning Duryodhana’s friendship. This act highlights Karna’s abilities but also his social rejection, as his caste becomes an obstacle to gaining the respect he desires.
The royal stadium is a pivotal location where Karna demonstrates his skill in archery, rivalling Arjuna. This act highlights his extraordinary talent and his potential to rise above his societal limitations. However, the focus on caste becomes a barrier to his acceptance. The refusal of others to acknowledge him as a worthy competitor because of his sutaputra identity underlines the rigid societal structures of the time. Duryodhana’s act of making Karna the king of Anga serves as both an act of friendship and a political move, symbolizing the fragile alliances based on utility. Karna’s bond with Duryodhana is both a blessing and a curse, as his loyalty to the Kaurava prince ultimately ties him to a morally questionable cause.
Act III
Scene I: The Swayamvar of Draupadi unfolds in the palace of Panchal. Karna is humiliated when Draupadi, citing his low caste, refuses to allow him to compete for her hand. This insult deepens Karna’s resentment and alienation.
Scene II: Karna reflects on his curse and how it looms over his life. The curse serves as a reminder of the constraints of fate, caste, and societal prejudice. He tells Duryodhan about his curse and passes out.
Draupadi’s rejection is emblematic of the dehumanising impact of casteism. Despite Karna’s skills and nobility of character, he is denied dignity, making him an outcast. This act critiques the hypocrisy of societal ideals, where individuals are judged by birth rather than merit. Karna’s introspection adds a layer of tragic inevitability. The curse becomes a metaphor for how societal prejudices and personal misfortunes combine to shape his life. This scene reinforces the idea of Karna as a victim of both personal and systemic failures.
Act IV
The infamous Cheerharan scene occurs, where Draupadi is dishonored in the Kaurava court. Karna tries to intervene to save Draupadi, showcasing his inner morality. However, his actions ultimately align him with the Kauravas’ cause. Exhausted and defeated, he collapses into the arms of Bhimasena, symbolizing his internal struggle between loyalty and righteousness.
This act portrays Karna at his most morally conflicted. While he tries to intervene to save Draupadi during the Cheerharan (disrobing), his prior actions and loyalty to Duryodhana have already implicated him in the Kauravas’ wrongdoing. Karna’s attempt to save Draupadi could be seen as an act of redemption. However, his ultimate inability to prevent her humiliation reveals the limitations of his agency, further highlighting his tragic status as a hero bound by loyalty and fate. The moment where Karna falls into Bhima’s arms suggests his exhaustion from constant internal conflicts. It symbolizes Karna’s duality as both a noble and flawed character, torn between moral righteousness and his obligations to Duryodhana.
Act V
Scene I: On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Karna has an emotional encounter with Kunti, who reveals herself as his mother. This revelation brings Karna face-to-face with his tragic reality, torn between loyalty to Duryodhana and his newfound identity as Kunti’s son.
Scene II: The climax features the epic duel between Karna and Arjuna. Despite his valor and skill, Karna is defeated and killed, fulfilling the curse and cementing his fate as a tragic hero.
The final battle between Karna and Arjuna is not just a physical confrontation but a symbolic clash of destiny versus effort. Despite his superior skills, Karna’s defeat is inevitable due to Parshuram’s curse and the alignment of fate against him. Karna’s death is portrayed with dignity, as he faces his fate without bitterness. This emphasizes his heroic qualities, even in the face of a tragic end. The play critiques the deterministic nature of the Mahabharata’s world, where even the most talented and noble individuals are powerless against societal structures and divine intervention.
2. Karna - The voice of Subaltern.
Karna, a pivotal yet oft-overlooked character in the Mahabharata, epitomizes the subaltern voice—one that challenges dominant structures of power, caste, and privilege. His life is marked by profound struggles stemming from his marginalised identity, societal rejection, and unwavering adherence to his principles, making him a resonant figure of resistance and resilience.
Karna’s Subalternity -
Born to royalty yet abandoned at birth, Karna’s life trajectory is shaped by his upbringing as the son of a charioteer, a status that brands him as a Suta-Putra (charioteer’s son). Despite his exceptional abilities and noble traits, Karna’s societal identity confines him to the margins. His story vividly illustrates how caste-based discrimination operates to suppress merit, as evidenced in his exclusion from Draupadi’s swayamvara and the prejudice he faces under Dronacharya’s tutelage.
The term “subaltern,” as used in postcolonial theory, applies aptly to Karna’s life. He embodies the voiceless who are capable of contributing to society yet remain unacknowledged due to systemic oppression. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s notion of the subaltern’s inability to “speak” (given in her work ‘Can The Subaltern Speak’) resonates with Karna’s plight—his voice is strong and capable, but the dominant narrative silences it by focusing on his caste and alliances.
3. Discuss the Various themes found in “The Curse”.
The themes of this play are as follows -
1. Theme of Curse
In T. P. Kailasam’s ‘Curse of Karna’, this curse is not merely a plot device but a reflection of the societal and cosmic forces that conspire against Karna. It symbolizes the unfairness of a system that punishes individuals for seeking opportunities denied to them by birth. The curse, along with others in Karna’s life, ensures that he remains a tragic figure, embodying both human resilience and the inevitability of fate.
2. Theme of Caste
The play critiques the deeply entrenched caste system that denies Karna his rightful place in society. His exclusion from education, marriage, and battles is rooted in his identity as a sutaputra (charioteer’s son), despite his extraordinary talents and virtues. Draupadi’s rejection of Karna during her Swayamvara is emblematic of how casteism overrides merit and dignity. It highlights the hypocrisy of a society that claims to value dharma but clings to rigid hierarchies. Through Karna, Kailasam exposes the dehumanizing effects of casteism, showing how it alienates and marginalizes even the most noble individuals.
3. Theme of Friendship
Karna’s unwavering loyalty and friendship with Duryodhana form a central pillar of the play. Despite recognizing Duryodhana’s flaws, Karna stands by him out of gratitude and a sense of duty. The bond between Karna and Duryodhana is portrayed with complexity, as it is both a source of Karna’s strength and his ultimate downfall. The theme of friendship also contrasts with betrayal (discussed below), highlighting how Karna’s loyalty to Duryodhana conflicts with his moral and familial obligations.
4. Theme of Destiny
Destiny governs Karna’s life, marking him as a tragic hero whose fate is sealed from the start. Despite his relentless efforts, Karna cannot escape the consequences of his curses or the societal constraints imposed on him. The phrase “Poor, poor Anga” underscores the inevitability of Karna’s tragic end, as even his kingship of Anga, bestowed by Duryodhana, does not bring him lasting respect or happiness. Kailasam uses Karna’s life to illustrate how destiny, combined with societal prejudices, often overrides individual merit and effort.
5. Theme of Betrayal
Betrayal is a recurring motif in Karna’s life, from various sources:
For better understanding of this play, you can check out this introductory presentation made by me and Pallavi Parmar.
Words - 1880
Images - 8
Videos - 1
References -
Kapoor, Kajal. “Karna (The Unsung Hero of Mahabharata: The Voice of the Subaltern).” International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Culture, vol. 2, no. 4, 2016. https://media.neliti.com/media/publications/281255-karna-the-unsung-hero-of-mahabharata-the-1a9f6184.pdf. Accessed 13 October 2024.
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