The document provides an overview and analysis of T.P. Kailasam's play "The Curse of Karna". It summarizes the plot of the five acts which retell the life of Karna from the Mahabharata. It then analyzes how Kailasam deconstructed myths around characters like Parshuram and Draupadi. It argues the play explores themes of caste conflict and how Karna, as a marginalized figure, was excluded from education and respect due to his low birth, making him a symbol of subaltern identity. It ultimately portrays Karna as the unsung hero of the Mahabharata who met a tragic fate despite his noble qualities through no fault

1. The curse or Karna
T. P. Kailasam
Yesha Bhatt
Yesha Bhatt
Department of English

2. T. P. Kailasam 1884 - 1946
• Tyagraj Paramasiva Iyer
Kailasam
• A playwright and prominent
writer of Kannada literature.
• The father of humorous plays
• Called "Kannadakke Obbane
Kailasam" meaning "One and
Only Kailasam for Kannada".
• He introduced simple, realistic
sets for drama
• Known for wit and satirical
commentary on society

3. The Curse or Karna
• An impression of Sophocles in five acts
• First published: 10th September, 1946
• Re-published: 29th July, 1969
• Life of Karna – a Tragic character of
Mahabharata
• “Even he used classical themes,
his purpose was contemporary” –
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Vice-
president of India (1960)
• “My love for thee reveals to me
that Fate hath wove thy life and
death in threads of Tragedy” -
Raama

4. Brief
overview
• Act I –
S I – Karna leaves Aashram
S II - Karna and Raama (Parshuram cursed Karna) -
Aashram
• Act II – Competition at Hastinapur – The Royal stadium
• Act III- Draupadi Swayamvara – Palace of Panchal (35-36)
S I – Draupadi insulted Anga
S ll – Anga recalls the curse he has
• Act lV – Cheerharan – Karna tried to save Draupadi –
Falls in the arms of Bheemsena
• Act V – Battle field of Kurukshetra
S l - Karna’s encounter with Kunti
S ll – Arjuna and Karna’s fight - Death

5. Deconstruction of myth in The Curse
• Parshuram in myths vs Raama in The Curse
• Parshuram’s guilt in The Curse (Tragic life of Karna)
• Draupadi in Myths vs Paanchaalee in The Curse
• Duryodhana in Myths vs Suyodhana in The Curse
• Suyodhana’s question and explanation to
Bheeshma’s Pratigya
• All Acts end with same dialogue – “Poor, Honest,
Anga..”
• Approach of all characters to Anga

6. Class-conflict and caste-conflict
• Parshuram: Dedicated to Brahmins
• Draunacharya: Dedicated to Kshatriyas
• Royal battles: only with Royal blood (Kings)
• Karna: not a Brahmin, Not a Kshatriya, Not a
king
• Karna’s implied identity – Sootha
• Education – Battles – Marriage – Respect –
Kingship
• A worthy man excluded by all because of his
(low) birth

7. Karna with special reference to the concept of
subaltern.
• It refers to the populations that are socially,
politically and geographically outside of the
hegemonic power structure of the colony and of
the colonial homeland.
• Karna- The tragic character with tragic fate –
Illegitimate, Abandoned, lowborn
• Marginalised by Gurus, Warriors, princess
Paanchaalee, Kings
• He was just able to speak – “A Brahmin’s Curse”
• His identity was of marginalised people, he
deserved to be at centre, the struggle and society
caused his death

8. Unsung hero of
Mahabharata
• More credible than all Pandavas –
Daanveer, Noble, Humble, Powerful
• In Kurukshetra he was defeated by
Krishna’s trick and Indra’s trick
• The only one who followed Dharma
throughout the life
• Self-made man
• Valued relation – Parents – Kunti –
Duryodhan
• Krishna considered him as the most
powerful than all Pandavas, even Arjun
• Wanted to be known as Radheya

9. Themes in “The Curse”
• Curse – Morher earth, Parshuraam, A
Brahmin
• Casteism – Education, marriage, battles
• Friendship - Loyalty, duty, chivalry, bond
• Destiny – Tragic fate – “Poor, poor, Anga”
• Spirit – Of life, optimism, tried a lot to fight
• Karma – by karma, he was the one who
deserved
• Betrayal – Karna to Parshuram, Kunti to
Karna, indra to Karna, Krishna to Karna, Arjun
to Karna