💠Write a critical note on the deconstruction of myth in The Curse.
➡ T. P. Kailasam’s The Curse or Karna is a remarkable modern retelling of the Mahabharata myth that deconstructs the traditional understanding of heroism, dharma, and social order. Through this play, Kailasam revisits the ancient epic from a humanistic and critical perspective, dismantling the idealized and hierarchical structures of classical mythology.
In the original Mahabharata, Karna is often portrayed as a tragic hero fated by his circumstances loyal to Duryodhana yet bound by his low birth. However, Kailasam deconstructs this mythic image by presenting Karna not as a mere victim of destiny but as a deeply conscious individual who questions the moral contradictions of the world around him. The playwright strips the myth of its divine grandeur and reveals its human dimension.
The deconstruction operates on multiple levels:
1. Reversal of Perspective:
Kailasam retells the story from Karna’s viewpoint, allowing the marginalized figure traditionally sidelined as the "low-born charioteer’s son" to speak for himself. This shift of focus challenges the Brahminical and Kshatriya-centric ideology that dominates the Mahabharata. The myth is no longer about divine warfare but about social injustice, caste discrimination, and human suffering.
2. Critique of Dharma and Caste:
The play questions the mythical notion of dharma (duty) as upheld by the ruling class. Karna’s exclusion from the warrior community despite his talent exposes the hypocrisy of a society guided by birth rather than merit. Kailasam uses Karna’s inner turmoil to deconstruct the moral order of the epic, showing that what was once considered “divine law” is, in fact, a socially constructed myth that legitimizes inequality.
3. Humanization of the Mythic Hero:
By portraying Karna as a sensitive, introspective, and rebellious man rather than a larger-than-life figure, Kailasam removes the divine aura surrounding him. This humanization demystifies the epic narrative, making the audience question the glorification of war, honor, and fate in traditional myths.
4. Subaltern Voice and Resistance:
Kailasam gives Karna a subaltern voice. His protest against social hierarchies and his awareness of injustice mark a modern, almost existential reading of the myth. Through Karna, the playwright exposes how myth was historically used to silence the marginalized and maintain dominant power structures.
In essence, Kailasam’s The Curse is not merely a retelling of an old story it is a re-reading that interrogates the foundations of myth itself. The play turns myth into a site of resistance, replacing divine determinism with human agency. By deconstructing the myth of Karna, Kailasam reveals how literature can reclaim silenced voices and reinterpret the past to critique the present.
Conclusion:
Through The Curse, T. P. Kailasam performs a powerful act of mythic deconstruction, challenging caste, destiny, and moral absolutism. His modernist approach transforms Karna from a passive mythic hero into a symbol of social protest and individual consciousness thus converting an ancient legend into a timeless critique of oppression and hypocrisy.
💠Write a critical note on the class conflict and caste conflict in The Curse.
➡ T. P. Kailasam’s The Curse or Karna powerfully exposes the deep-rooted class and caste conflicts within Indian society by reinterpreting the story of Karna from the Mahabharata. Through his modernist and realistic treatment, Kailasam turns the ancient epic into a social critique that questions the legitimacy of privilege based on birth rather than merit.
At the center of the play lies the tragedy of Karna, a man of extraordinary talent and courage, yet condemned by his low birth as a sootha-putra (charioteer’s son). His exclusion from the warrior class reflects the cruelty of the caste system, where one’s social identity determines one’s destiny. Despite his mastery of archery and noble character, Karna is humiliated by those of higher caste status, especially by Arjuna and other Kshatriyas, who deny him the respect he deserves.
Kailasam uses this injustice to critique the upper-class arrogance and caste hierarchy that dominated ancient and even modern Indian society. The rigid system denies opportunity and dignity to the capable but low-born. Karna’s life becomes symbolic of the subaltern struggle the conflict between personal excellence and social discrimination. His internal pain and social rejection illustrate the class divide between the privileged and the oppressed, between those who rule and those who serve.
Furthermore, Duryodhana’s friendship with Karna also reveals another layer of class politics. Though Duryodhana elevates Karna for his own political motives, he simultaneously challenges the established caste order by recognizing Karna’s worth. Kailasam thus portrays the social system as hypocritical where the ideals of dharma and justice are corrupted by pride, hierarchy, and power.
In conclusion, Kailasam’s The Curse is not just a retelling of a myth but a social document that exposes the injustices of caste and class. Through Karna’s suffering and resistance, the play criticizes the moral emptiness of a society that values birth over virtue and hierarchy over humanity. Kailasam turns Karna into a symbol of protest a voice of the marginalized against the oppressive social order.
References:
https://archive.org/details/unset0000unse_h8e3
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