Summary Of The Drama Of Girish Karnad

Nanda notes that the Indians’ success in the global market have attributed to Hindu values. These are constantly promoted by media and politicians. Ultra nationalism, worshiping Hindu gods and India itself has become a civil religion.

Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion. India, being the birthplace to many other religions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, somehow managed to keep Hinduism as the leading religion in India to date. We will take a look into the devotion of Hindu religion and explore the symbols and significance of events during puja. In order to provide the best understanding of Hinduism, therefore we will explore the practices of today vs. practices of centuries past. Observing major components of Bhakti will help shed light on the importance of those who worship under these ancient and sacred teachings. With the use of Van der Leeuw’s Braided Method throughout the text, it will provide a reassurance that biases or discrimination are unwelcome, nevertheless a neutral standpoint of an observer’s position will be asserted (Cantelo 2016).

q. This shows that Nationalism still plays a large role in keeping India together, regardless of their diverse religious identities. Secularism

The caste system has been extremely stable in India for over two thousand years. It is only since the more modern, independent state of India was formed that the system has come under any scrutiny at all. It is presently outlawed, but many of the practices, attitudes and traditions remain ingrained in Hindu society (University of Wyoming, 1997).

Apart from the Mythology upon which the play is based, Karnad has employed the character of Sutradhara modeled on the narrator- commentator of folk theatre. The Sutradhara informs the audience about the Mythological origin of the play as well as the theme of the play which emphasizes the importance of supplied up to one’s responsibility in life. Karnad has given traditional story a new meaning and significance highly relevant in the context of life today. The symbolic theme of Yayati’s attachment to life and its pleasures, as also his final possession, is continued. Karnad’s originality lies in working out the motivations

Historically, India was under British rule until 1950. Many people in India felt that during British rule they were powerless (Beteille, 2010). All of the problems in the country were blamed on this helplessness (Beteille, 2010). When India became independent and developed its own constitution, a large amount of emphasis was placed on the role of government in solving social problems (Beteille, 2010). During British rule, many customs and practices in India were based on the Hindu religion (Beteille, 2010). The British left those in place, neither making them unlawful nor supporting them (Beteille, 2010). When the new government was established, the caste system that had so sharply defined India was declared unlawful (Beteille, 2010). While this was a step in the

Firstly, the caste system reflects the inequality of Indian society. Although religion in India is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices, majority of Indian population follow Hinduism. Therefore, the dominance of Hinduism beliefs is common in India. There is a belief in caste system, as Brood said, “a system of hierarchical social organization”1. Hindu society is divided into four main classes; the priestly class, the warrior and administrator class, the producer class who is farmers and merchants and the servant class. The remaining group of people who is “outcastes” is called “untouchables” or dalit. Brodd recognizes “dalits continue to suffer terrible oppression, especially in rural communities in India”. I still could not imagine how terrible this bottom class suffers until reading Max Bearak article. All sufferings of Rohith Vemula, from the hardships of growing up poor, interactions with society in caste to scholarship revoke and suicide, happened tragically because he was born in a dalit family. This is the

Hinduism is one of the most diverse religions still practiced today. They are an adaptive religion, often taking in the local Gods of its followers, leading to many branches of the religion that occur much like dialects within a language. Although it is difficult to catalog all of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses, there is estimated to be over 300 million of them. It is common for people unfamiliar with the religion to generalize all those living on the Indian subcontinent as “Hindu”, since they are usually not aware of the many religions that are practiced in India, and how similar they can be. This generalization can trace its roots back to imperial British rule of the country. In an attempt to offer their colony representation in Parliament, a census was taken of the colony to offer representation based on religion. The census did not allow for the diversity of belief that occurs under the Hindu

Unbeknownst to the masses, information had been controlled by the oligarchy for the sake of “national security” or economic and social cooperation. Although this had been a theme throughout hundreds of dystopian novels, such overarching influence is lamentably applied in societies throughout the world. Historically, nation/states across the globe have manipulated information regarding controversial events to maintain the national identity, of which had facilitated cooperation by creating a common enemy. Throughout history, the majority have made minorities the scapegoats during times of crises and socioeconomic turmoil, validating the injustices performed against them. This strategy of garnering cooperation throughout the masses through prejudice allowed them to survive events such as the Great Depression, World Wars and insidious campaigns all while maintaining morale, but there has been overwhelming evidence that any type of nationalism, despite the intention, is detrimental. Unfortunately, in constituting love for one’s nation through hate, one would need to constantly find a demographic minority to do so. Such has been the case not only throughout the United States’ history but is also present in India’s history where true events have been convoluted and objectivity is nonexistent.

Girish Karnad is one of the foremost playwrights of the contemporary Indian stage. He has given the Indian theatre a richness that could probably be equated only with his talents as an actor-director. His contribution goes beyond theatre: he has directed feature films, documentaries and television serials in Kannada, Hindi, and English and has played leading roles as an actor in Hindi and Kannada art films, commercial movies and television serials. He has represented Indian in foreign lands as an emissary of art and culture.

Gradually the profession or activities became hereditary as the profession began to be followed by succeeding generations as it was easy for the father to teach his son his profession. This was the starting point of Caste system that began to be based upon one’s birth in a particular family. However each group had its own advantages and disadvantages. The priest class had to lead a very simple life without craving for worldly pleasures of life; they were supposed to spend the major part of their life or their entire life in the study of scriptures, in teaching and in spiritual practices that were their duties. They were also supposed to follow tradition in every aspect of their life including their appearance and dress code. All these involved strict discipline of body, mind and Spirit in everything that was really difficult especially for youngsters. But they were also given the highest place in society because ancient India always respected learned, knowledgeable ones and men of wisdom. Similarly the Kshatriyas were expected to protect the sovereignty of their Mother land and its people. There was the risk of losing their very lives when they engaged themselves in such acts that was their duty. Their advantage was that they could command others, could become their leaders and administer them on account of their leadership and administrative qualities and they could lead a life full of comforts and luxuries. People had high esteem for such people as they were considered as leaders and protectors of their life and possessions. The Vysyas who were good in business could lead a luxurious life as they could amass wealth through their business. However they had to take risks in business that led to losing their wealth sometimes even totally and especially in olden times they had to travel long distances on foot for the sake of doing business in far off places and as the

What are the four major castes? What implications does the caste system have for everyday life? How does the caste system relate to Hindu ideas of spiritual life? “The four major castes of Hindu society are; seers ( brahmins ), administrators ( kshatriyas ), artisans or farmers ( vaishyas ), and followers or servants ( shudras)”( Smith 56). Smith writes, religious leaders, teachers, artists, and philosophers are members of the first caste, brahmins, khatriyas, the second caste, first known as warriors are now managers. The tillers of the land, the makers of bricks, and the builders are part of the third caste, vaishyas. The fourth caste is made up of servants, those who will take care of the other castes’ needs (56)”. While I was working in India, summer of 2001 and there at the invitation of the richest family in India and staying at one of their compounds, some of my co-workers and I were playing snooker. A young boy walked into the room where we were playing. He stopped and talked to us for a few minutes before continuing to bed. Accompanied by a man of about twenty years old, the boy’s shudra, who had been the boy’s personal servant for ten or more years. The shudra’s purpose was to protect and serve his charge’s every need. Although there is inequality between castes, Smith denotes.“ within each caste, there is equality, opportunity, and social insurance ( 57)”. Although the text

            The internal divisions and complexes hierarchy of the Indian society served an important social function.  The system provided each individual with a clear identity and role and offered the benefits of group solidarity and support.  Certain interactions and behaviors were appropriate only between those of equal status. The system assured that the religious, political, and financial powers were all separated into four different social classes (Bulliet, et. 2011).

Hindus have to be patient in their religion to achieve their peacefulness. Hindus are also known to be very friendly. Having such characteristics would greatly empower our whole society no matter what religion someone is from.

A few disadvantages of India’s social system are that Religion, caste, and language are major determinants of social organizations. According to the US Department of State-Background Notes website, even though the government has declared the caste system as illegal, it still has a presence in occupational and societal hierarchies (The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, 2010).