1. Teacher Day Celebration
Topic : Play by T. P.
Kailasam:The Curse of
Karna
Presented by : Pina Joshi
Department of English
M.K.Bhavnager University
2. T. P. Kailasam
• Tyagaraja Paramasiva kailasam (1884-1946), popularly
known as T. P. Kailasam was both great playwright and
a talented actor.
• His play are lively representation of themes taken mostly
from ancient Indian literature.
• Kailasam's English play includes The Burden (1933),
Fulfilment (1933), The Purpose (1944), The Curse Or
karna(1946), Keechaka (1949).
3. The Play : The Curse or karna
• The Bramhin Curse (1946), better known as The Curse or
karna is kailasam’s more sustained dramatic adventure.
• Kailasam seems to have made up his mind to recast and
reassess the character of Ekalavya, karna and Keechaka
to when in his opinion justice may not have been done in
the original Mahabharata.
• In the Curse of Karna he with certain digression from the
original Mahabharata has exalted the character of karna.
4. Act ...1
• The play begins with karna's completion of education
at parshurama's Ashram. At the last moment of his
departure from the ashram he loses all he has earned
during his stay there.
• Parshurama comes to know that such a youth cannot
be brahmins, as he has pretended to be; he must be
no other than a kshatriya. Gets angry to the extent of
cursing this sincere disciple thus : And for thy dastard
of lie, list to a Brahmins curse:
5. • If EVER YOU SHOULD HENCEFORTH SORELY NEED THE
USE OF ARMS YOU’VE LEARNT OF ME…… THE BAREST
TALK, THE MEREST THOUGHT OF THY SUPPOSED
SOOTHA BIRTH CROSSING THY MIND…WILL SWELL
THY HEART TO SENSE OF SHAME, WILL DULL THINE
EYES AND MIND, NUMB AND PARALYSE THY LIMBS
BEYOND THEIR POW’R TO HELP THEE MAKE THE
SLIGHTEST, SMALLEST USE OF KNOWLEDGE THAT
YOU’VE LEARNT OF ME! AVAUNT! AVAUNT!, ERE I
INFLICT A FURTHER CURSE ON THEE
6. Act….2
• In Act II, Scene I, Karna is distinguished as matchless hero
and Arjuna is about to lose his position of the best archer
in the world, but the Brahmins curse again appears
before him for his credentials.
• None is there to recognize karna's merit irrespective of
his birth and parentage. Without any shade of doubt he
is a matchless warrior, but he repeatedly discouraged by
the pandits and the Pandavas.
7. Act….3
• In Act 3 again the Brahmins victimizes karna , who is
badly humiliated by Draupadi in her Swayamvara.
• As soon as he rises to try his chance, she boldly declares
that even if the sutuis son fulfils the condition of
marriage she will not accept him.
• Here we can see the cast system that how lower-class
was insulted by upper class people.
8. Act...4
Humiliation of Draupadi • Act 4 presents the greatest
moment of Karna's chivalry
and nobility. With certain
bold digressions kailasam
presents the episode of
Draupadi’s humiliation in
presence of the elders of
kuru family.
9. Act...4 continue...
• In the original Mahabharata Draupadi is humiliated,
dragged by hair to the assembly hall and an attempt is
made to disrobe her by Dussaasana. Karna also passes
certain insulting comments on Draupadi.
• But kailasam's karna instead of passing remark, comes
forward for he rescue and defies.
• The kuaravas prince with boldness and courage of a true
warrior. He warms Dusshasana, “move but a step and
you die.
10. Act...5
• In Act 5 Kuntee, the virgin mother of Karna appears
before him to request him not use serpent shaft against
the Pandavas.
• He unhesitatingly sides with Duryodhana
• and fights against the Pandavas who are protected by
Lord Krishna.
• Throughout his life Karna cannot make any use of the
knowledge of arms that he has received from
Parashurama because of his curse.
11. • Brahmins who curse him that Karna's chariot wheel will
be swallowed by the earth when he will be fiercely
comparing on the battlefield to kill his enemy.
• The same happens when he engaged in a fierce fights
with his enemy Arjuna.
• In the end , at the instance of Krishna, Arjuna kills karna.
• The curse of Karna is tragedy thematic materials
collectively contributeto the artistic excellence of the
play.
