Karnnabharam

Directed by: Chandradasan, Language: Malayalam

The time and space of action is from the 11th day in the Warfield of Mahabharata.

According to the Indian theatre tradition, the play starts with nandi of the Sutradhara which is interrupted by sound echoed from the war. A warrior from Duryodhana calls Karnna to fight for his side, as Bhishma has fallen.

The great warrior Karnna, the son of Soorya is seen disturbed and depressed in the Warfield instead of being mighty and powerful. The play analyses the reasons.

He is worried of his birth, his cast and his social status. Whether he is the son of Kunthi and Soorya, or Radha and Sutha? The mockery and adulation of the society moulds his person and fate. For a while he is moved by the meaninglessness of the war where men kill each other. He says that irrespective of his win or loss, war is a real waste. This vision adds to his turbulence.

Karnna tells Salyar about the curse given by his guru, Parasurama. This episode is enacted by correlating the narration of the present with the enacting of the past. The astra advised by Parasurama is found powerless at the needed hour.

The entry of Indra disguised as a Brahmin follows, who cunningly takes away the divine Kavacha and Kundala from Karnna. He understands that the whole plot is masterminded by the shrewd Krishna and accepts his fate.

In return a messenger from Indra offers a powerful weapon Vimala which can destroy one among the Pandavas. Karnna is not willing to accept a return for his generosity. But the messenger insists ‘-this is the word of a brahmin’ which Karnna ultimately accept.

Accepting the challenge from Arjuna and Krishna the revitalized Karnna proceed to his ultimate fate heroically. Thus ends Bhasa’s play Karnnabharam.