The document summarizes T.P. Kailasam's play "The Purpose" which explores themes of class conflict between the upper caste Kshatriya prince Arjuna and the lower caste Nishadha boy Eklavya in learning archery from the teacher Drona. It examines their different motivations - Arjuna wants to become the greatest archer for his own ego while Eklavya aims to protect animals in the jungle. The play illustrates the Indian concepts of the caste system and the Marxist theory of class conflict through the relationship between the dominant Arjuna and the oppressed Eklavya under their common Guru Drona.

1. Class Conflict in The Purpose by
T. P. Kailasam
Vaidehi Hariyani
(Research Scholar)
S. B. Gardi Department of English,
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

2. • T. P. Kailasam (1884 –
1946) was a prominent
playwright, writer, and a
poet of Kannada and
English.

3. THE PURPOSE
• Divided into two acts
• Central Theme: based
on Adi Parva of The
Mahabharata
• Central Characters:
Eklavya, Drona, and
Arjuna
• The purpose of learning
archery (ધનુર્વિદ્યા)

4. Dominance of Power
• Arjuna is a Kshatriya
– Powerful upper caste
– Arjuna - arrogant and
prodigal prince
• Eklavya is a Nishadha
boy
– A weak person from
lower caste
– Eklavya - a savior of
Animals of Jungle

5. MARXIST THEORY OF CLASS CONFLICT

6. INDIAN CONCEPT OF CLASS
• General Category
• Scheduled Class
• Scheduled Tribe
• OBC

7. Significance of The Purpose

8. Arjun
Arjuna:"Useful Archer"? Why,
Gurujee, I want to become the
greatest archer in the world!
Ekalavya: (Sotto Voce)
WHAT, HE TOO? What is his
reason... I wonder?

9. Eklavya
….and THE ONLY WAY THAT
I CAN SAVE THE DEER AND
FAWNS IS BY KILLING THE
WOLVES.

10. Guru Dronacharya
Drona: KARMANAA SWAARTHAHA... a man whose labour is no more but
MEANS to GAIN HIS SELFISH ENDS! If I had started MY bow craft at the feet of
my Guru with that aim... I should have never learnt to lift a bow, let alone how
shoot a bolt!
Arjuna: But Gurujee, I seem to remember having heard you speak of your own
self as a "Kaarmi" too?
Drona: Yes, but that was in the 'madhyama sense'! KARMA EVA ARTHAHA; He
whose labour IS IN ITSELF THE END AND AIM of his labour!

12. The Guru is Someone who
constantly punctures your ego
and yet is your friend….

13. Thank You