The Hero ‘Karna’ in Kurukshetra – The Mahabharata
The play ‘Karn’ by Kulvinder Bakshish Singh is different from the usual portrayal of epic characters and documenting their journey. The tragic hero of the classical epic ‘Mahabharata’ is none other than Karna, the eldest son of Kunti.
Stories and myths surround the shadowy saga of Karna’s illegitimate birth, from the divine union of Kunti and the Sun God. It was a shame, a scar on the royal portfolio of kings and queens of that era. Since birth, Karna’s life had travelled through many uncomfortable alleys, denying him the privilege of a royal lineage, as his birth was shrouded in mystery. His alliance with the ruling King of Hastinapur, Duryodhana, was celebrated, culminating in his tragic defeat at the hands of Arjuna, the Pandava prince.
How his birth secret was revealed by Kunti at the climax of the Kurukshetra war and how Karna achieved his tragic end is scripted vividly in the epic narrative written by Ved Vyas. What is striking is how the character has been reimagined in numerous artistic productions and theatrical performances through the ages, triggering uneasy questions about the vulnerable human condition, political power play, and an amazing journey into introspection.
The play by Kulvinder Bakshish Singh emerges as phenomenal, involving three female artists to portray the legendary characters of Karna, Krishna, and Duryodhana. It is remarkable how he has blended the three distinct forms of expression like dance, theatre, and martial arts in a visually stunning production.
The blog takes a look at the grand representation of courage, virtue, empathy, retribution, and surrender. Kulvinder has also introduced some of the forgotten Indian art forms such as the Mayurbhanj Chau, Kalaripayattu, and Manipur’s martial art Thang-Ta in his theatrical production.
The director reimagines the most tragic and complex character of the Mahabharata by aesthetically blending different forms of visual art. Karna has been depicted in a new light, sharing an untold narrative with the audience.
The Musical Drama Karn: Legacies Revisited by Three Powerful Women Artists
The most striking feature of the play ‘Karn’ was that it has women playing the pivotal characters. The minimalist setup looks striking, challenging the audience to look beyond the usual interpretations of the classical epic.
The emphasis was on reviving the traditional, age-old Indian art forms, revisiting the myths of Karna, the eldest son of Kunti, and his contemporaries. Different interpretations give the epic narrative a new dimension, as the focus was on the saga of Karna’s birth, portrayed as humble and lacking dignity, compared to the royal grandeur of the Kauravas or Pandavas. Karna also was portrayed as a rebel, rising against the racial hierarchy prevalent in his times.
The actresses Vineeta Joshi, Noyrika Bhatheja, and Farha, through their fluid, versatile, and psychologically intense performances make the viewers think about the prejudices of race, caste, and religion that still exist today.
The stagecraft demands critical attention, working creatively on dramatic lighting, creating an aura of smoke, and symbolic gestures, lifting the grave mood of the play while keeping the story grounded in empathy.
What are the Key Takeaways from the Play Karna:
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It was Kulvinder’s mission to revive the age-old martial arts and creative forms that are revered abroad but almost extinct in India due to fewer people practising them. That’s why while creating the script for ‘Karn,’ he wanted to include those forgotten forms into the narrative seamlessly, with an urge of preserving them in their original form. And thus, the play has brilliant showcases of Mayurbhanj Chau, Thang-ta – Manipur’s martial art, and Kalaripayattu, martial art from the southern parts of Kerala.
The all-women casting of the play adds an aura along with the set-up and stage décor, using bare minimum props. More emphasis was given on the various forms of traditional dance and performance art of India, as a vehicle to transport emotions and messages.
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The three-part saga of Karna’s life makes the audience spellbound and challenges them to look beyond the conventional tales of the Mahabharata, revisiting the mythological legacies of both Karna and his contemporaries such as Kauravas and Pandavas. The three female actors slip into the epic characters effortlessly with a contemporary fluidity, while making the musical drama a work of genius.
Karna: The Generous Warrior Played by Female Protagonist
Though there are instances of women portraying male characters in a play, this magnum opus production by Kulvinder projected the strength and versatility of an all-women cast. Vineeta Joshi, Noyrika Bhatheja, and Farha played the three pivotal characters of the saga with their intense portrayals, revisiting the age-old biases of race, caste, and religion in an epic mythology like the Mahabharata — and how these stigmas still persist in our society.
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Vineeta Joshi played the character of Karna with utmost dedication and command, as the character demanded a bold presence of the generous warrior, combining tragic aura with a showcase of strength.
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Duryodhana was played by Farha, a character shrouded in disdain and remembered only as an antagonist. Farha’s presentation challenged the audiences to reconsider their understanding of the not-so-loved prince of Hastinapur.
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Noyrika Bhatheja was credible as Krishna or Madhav, while bringing a lyrical poise and composure in her portrayal, blending the divine grace and intelligence of someone as powerful as Arjuna’s guiding figure.
The Contemporary Portrayal of the Epic Hero: When Myth Shows the Mirror
The women artists hail from different backgrounds, as an actor, a model, and a dancer, but they merged their skills seamlessly into the production.
What Kulvinder Bakshish Singh tried to tell in his unique narrative of Karna was not just an epic story or the tragic fate of a brave hero, he also focused on the preservation of forgotten art forms of India, while reconsidering the role of prejudice and casteism in contemporary society, along with the search for dignity and recognition.
Kulvinder was awarded the Best Theatre Director by the Maharashtra Government for his masterpiece production of ‘Karn’ – merging tradition and innovation in equal measure. Thus, Karna isn’t confined to a character alone but becomes a mirror through which the complexities of the human condition get reflected.