T.P. Kailasama’s The Curse or Karna

 

T.P.Kailasama :

Full Name: Thanjavur Paramasiva Kailasam

Born: July 29, 1884, in Bangalore, India

Family Background: Came from an influential family; his father, T. Paramasiva Iyer, was a respected judge.

Education: Studied in Bangalore.Went to England to study geology at the Royal School of Mines, London.

Interest in Literature: While in London, developed an interest in theatre, influenced by Western dramatists like Shakespeare. Shifted from a career in geology to focus on literature and drama.

Major Contributions: Known as the "Father of Modern Kannada Theatre."Introduced modern themes, breaking away from mythological and religious dominance in Indian theatre.Brought humor, satire, and social commentary into his plays, addressing issues like caste and social inequality.

Famous Works:

1. Tollu Gatti (The Hollow Victory)
2. Bahishkara (The Outcast)
3. Home Rule
4. Mahāchaitra – a reinterpretation of the character Ekalavya from the Mahabharata.

Style:  Known for blending humor with serious social critique.Connected with both urban and rural audiences. Wrote in both Kannada and English.

Themes: Social justice, especially addressing caste discrimination and the plight of marginalized communities.

Influence: Modernized Kannada theatre.Left a lasting legacy in Indian drama, influencing future generations of playwrights and writers.

Death: July 1946.

1. Interpret all the acts and scenes in brief.

ANS.  

Act I:

In Act I, Karna is leaving the ashram of Parshurama. Though born a Kshatriya, Karna disguised himself as a Brahmin to learn the art of warfare from the strict teacher Parshurama, who only taught Brahmins. Karna excelled as a student, mastering divine weapons and archery. One day, while he was with Parshurama, a bee stung Karna. Although it caused him great pain, Karna stayed silent to avoid disturbing his guru. When Parshurama saw the blood, he realized Karna was not a Brahmin. Furious at being deceived, Parshurama cursed Karna, saying that he would forget his divine weapon skills at the moment he needed them most in battle. This curse later played a key role in Karna's duel with Arjuna. The act ends with this important moment of the curse.

Original Dialogue:

• Raama: "Now list, I’ve often told thee, Karna, that Ahimsa proclaims universal truth, yet, in man’s practice of this truth in this world, there is Himsa in Ahimsa and Ahimsa in Himsa."

• Raama: "With lie of brahmin birth hast thou acquir’d the mastery of arms second not e’en to me! And for thy dastard lie, list to a Brahmin’s CURSE."

POOR KARNA...POOR...POOR KARNA.

Act II:

Karna, a skilled archer, arrives at the Royal Stadium and challenges Arjuna, who is known as the best archer. To show his abilities, Karna shoots an arrow through several leaves on a tree. Suyodhana, the Crown Prince, warmly welcomes Karna and encourages him to fight Arjuna. After much debate, Karna expresses a desire to challenge Arjuna’s teachers, but because it is too dark, they must wait until later.

Suyodhana then makes Karna the King of Angaland. Gaandhaara suggests Karna shoot an arrow at Arjuna to show his gratitude, but Karna hesitates. Bheemasena mocks him, calling him low-born. Due to a curse, Karna is unable to shoot.

Act III:

The Paanchaala Princess is holding a contest for suitors to win her hand by shooting at a target's shadow. Karna, also known as Anga, impresses everyone by easily bending a steel bar into a bow. However, when the Princess learns that he comes from a low background, she angrily declares that she cannot marry a "sootha's son." Hurt and embarrassed, Karna stands still for a moment and then leaves the contest. This moment highlights the conflict between his impressive skills and society's prejudices. The scene explores themes of pride, shame, and how social status impacts people's lives.

Act IV:

In the throne room, Gaandhaara thinks Princess Paanchaalee deserves her misfortunes because of her rudeness. Vidura reminds King Suyodhana of his responsibilities, while Dhritaraashtra insists kings can't do wrong. Bheeshma advises Suyodhana to value his reputation, and Yuyutsu tries to speak up but is pushed back. Eventually, Yuyutsu is allowed to talk and urges the King to listen to their ancestors' wisdom. The King, distrusting anyone in the assembly, declares that Princess Paanchaalee should be treated as a chambermaid and assigns Dussaasanah to take care of her. This angers the King of Angaland, who threatens Dussaasanah. In second scene, Paanchaalee (Draupadi), Bheema, and Anga discuss Draupadi's humiliation in court. Draupadi feels sad but eventually realizes the purpose of her life. Bheema is angry at Anga for not protecting her, but Anga explains he was cursed and couldn't help. Bheema, feeling upset, carries Anga away.

Act V:

On the battlefield, Anga feels tense while Maadra urges him to start the fight. Anga realizes he has been concentrating more on his skills than on his duty to the Emperor. Even though Maadra advises him to aim for Arjuna's chest, Anga hesitates, recalling how Krishna once saved Arjuna. Frustrated, he decides not to use his serpent arrow again and instead says he will defeat the enemy with just a simple blade of grass. This worries Maadra, who is concerned about Anga’s mental state.

As the battle goes on, Krishna encourages Arjuna to use his powerful arrow to finish the fight. Arjuna feels conflicted about attacking an unarmed opponent but ultimately chooses to aim at Anga, with tears in his eyes. He shoots an arrow that fatally hits Anga, causing sadness and anger in Maadra and Aswattha. As Anga dies, he reflects on the curses that have plagued him, while Maadra and Aswattha mourn the loss of their friend.

Discuss the Various themes found in “The Curse”.

1) Freindship :

One of the themes in the play is friendship. Karna first meets Duryodhana in Hastinapura during archery lessons with Drona, when he and Arjuna are competing in a weapons trial. Duryodhana recognizes Karna as a warrior equal to Arjuna and sees him as a valuable ally to help counterbalance the Pandavas.

Before the competition, the contestants must announce their backgrounds to ensure they compete against those of similar rank. When Arjuna announces his royal lineage, it’s Karna’s turn. If Karna reveals his background as a charioteer, he would be disqualified from competing against Arjuna. Duryodhana steps in and claims Karna is an Arajna, offering to make him the king of Angas. With this title, Duryodhana argues that Arjuna will have no reason to avoid fighting Karna. Karna accepts the title, which not only makes him a king but also solidifies his loyalty to Duryodhana as a friend. When Karna asks Duryodhana what he wants in return for this favor, Duryodhana simply says, "I want your endless friendship, Karna." This moment establishes a strong bond of friendship between Duryodhana and Karna, setting the stage for important relationships in the Mahabharata.

“Suyodhana : Thy lowly birth, my brother, it will prove No robber of thy noble worth,not while I’m crowned Prince of Kuruland !”...........

HAIL TO THE NEW KING OF ANGALAND ! LONG LIVE THE NEW KING OF [ANGLAND !]

2) Curse :

The play begins with Karna finishing his education at Parashurama's ashram. Just as he is about to leave, he loses everything he learned there. While Guru Parashurama is sleeping, Karna rests his head on his lap, showing concern for his teacher. Suddenly, a wasp lands on Karna's thigh and begins to sting him, but he does not want to wake his guru. Despite the pain, Karna endures it silently, and blood starts to flow from his thigh. When Parashurama sees this remarkable patience, he concludes that Karna cannot be the Brahmin he pretends to be; he must actually be a Kshatriya. This angers Parashurama, leading him to curse Karna. The guru realizes, "My love for you makes me see that your life is woven with threads of tragedy."

Because of this curse, whenever Karna tries to rise above his fate and circumstances, he is reminded of his low caste, which humiliates him to the point where he forgets all his skills and knowledge.