The characters of Ekalavya and Arjuna In the play “ The Purpose ’’
Name: Pritiba B. Gohil
Roll No. : 23
Paper:
4-A
Paper
Name: Indian Writing in English Pre - Independence
Topic: The characters of Ekalavya and Arjuna In the play
“The Purpose’’
M.A. English Semester - 1
Batch: 2014 - 2016
Department of English
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar
University
Submitted to :-
Heenaba Zala ,
Department of
English
Maharaja
Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University
The characters of Ekalavya and Arjuna
Play
: “The Purpose”
Playwright: T.P. Kailasam
Introduction
:-
This play “The
Purpose’’ is written by very famous and well-known playwright T. P. Kailasam. His real or full name is Thyagaraja Paramasiva
Kailasam. He was
born in 1884 and died in 1946. He was a playwright and prominent writer of Kannada literature.
His contribution to Kannada theatre
comedy earned him the title Prahasana Prapitamaha,
"the father of humorous plays" and later he was also called as
"Kannadakke Obbane Kailasam" means "One and Only Kailasam for
Kannada".
About T.P.Kailasam :-
T.P.Kailasam is
remembered as the father of modern Kannada drama, the man of genius whose plays
revolutionized the Kannada stage. He gave refreshing realism and modernity and
freed it once for all from the literary unrealities that possessed it. Kailasam
focused tradition on contemporary social problems, a deeply compassionate
vision of the human struggle, an almost Shakespearian power to evoke
sympathetic laughter and an amazing grasp of the living language of men,
combined with the gift of using it artistically for dramatic purpose.
The famous works of T.P.Kailasam are –
Plays
:-
Kailasam
had as intimate a knowledge of The Ramayana as he had of The Mahabharata. But,
with the exception of The Burden, all the published plays of Kailasam are
inspired by The Mahabharata. Shriranga remarks,
“This
Kannada Playwright, who wrote complete plays in English did not write a single
play purely in Kannada.”
Kailasam was brought
up on the Indian epics and they were always a living presence to him:
“These scenes and
words you’ll see and hear
I’ve seen and heard
before;
As king or priest,
poltroon or peer,
Somewhere…some when
of your”.
About The Play “The
Purpose”
:-
This
play “The Purpose” is
originally written by Kailasam. But the concept of the play is taken from the
myth of “The
Mahabharata” our great
epic written by Maharshi Ved Vyas. But here in
this play has tried to break this myth of real Mahabharata. Here he tries to Deconstruct the theory of myth in The Purpose.
Here ‘The Purpose’ is
a mythical play that deals with past and its show us many things like culture,
religion and the ancient time of India. ‘Mythical
story is always a fable of people’ it’s like a tell that
spreading our culture and its value. By the time of king’s rule we can say that
some people are creates a kind of view towards it. But in the way myth is;
“By
a myth ... I mean primarily a certain type of
story in which some of the chief characters are
gods or other beings larger in power than humanity.”
~ Northrop Frye
Kailasam’s
plays have a Uniform technical excellence and for this, C.R. Reddy has
said that,
“Greater than any writer I have known is
Kailasam in dramatic technique.”
Kailasam tried to high-light something which
in original myth was neglected. Let’s see how the play Wright made changes
in original myth and the reason being behind it. To know about all the things
first of all we have to understand this both the Characters. It is very
important to understand the play deeply.
Abot
two main Characters of this play : Eklavya And Arjuna :-
Let’s see that how this both the
characters play his role in this play. Let’s check after one or another. This
is the study of this both of the charactrs. Let’s first cheak about
Arjuna’s character.
Arjuna :-
When we
talked about Arjuna’s character first image comes in our mind is that Arjuna is
a very powerful man and as humble as God. But here in this play playwright
Kailasam hase broke the myth of real Mahabharata. And here in this play he
portrayed Arjuna as very ambitious man and very low class person in emotions
wise. Arjuna was third brother from the five pandavas
in real Mahabharata epic. Arjuna’s mother was Kunti and his father was Pandu.
He is son of Indra dev in epic. He is a
prince of Hastinapura and he has four brothers Yudhishthir, Bheem, Nakul and
Sahdev. In Mahabharata Arjuna was like this: He was known for his steadfastness
and single mindedness in pursuing his goals. He was instrumental in winning
Draupadi in a contest for himself and his brothers as their joint wife. He also
married Shubhadra the sister of Krishna and Balram and kept his friendship with
them forever. Lord Krishna became his mentor and guide for the rest of his
life.
In T.P kailasam’s play
Arjuna was a small boy who goes to Guru Drona’s Ashram for learning archery
with pandavas and cousin brother’s kauravas. Guru Dronacharya was best teacher
of archery. Bhishma knows that so he sent his grand children to learn archery
from him. In the Mahabharata Arjuna was fast learner archery and he is favorite
student of guru dronacharya, And in T.P Kailasam’s play he was a slow learner
but favorite student of Guru Dronacharya. Guru Dronacharya gives promise to him
that he became best archer in the world.
T.P Kailasam’s play starts
with Arjuna practicing with bow, his target swag by a
tree-branch. In
the very beginning of the novel there is someone who is in that mid- ground.
And that one is Arjuna who is practicing with bow and arrows. Arjuna
itself emphasize on his aim of life. He has the aim to become Wold’s number one
archer. Arjuna wants to become best archer of this world and this is his wish
or ambition of his life. We know this thing from his mouth or from his dialogue
that he speaks to his Taataajee means one more character
of this play and he is BHEESHMA.
Arjuna:
|
Yes, Taataajee!
Why, I shall HAVE to remember it, as it is my personal ambition to be the
most famous archer of all time!
|
After we listening Arjuna’s this dialogue we can say that in this
play Arjuna is very self centered person in this play and throughout the play.
We can say that he
has the aim to become world’s number one archer. He is gentle, too. It can be
seen when Arjun's takes with Bheeshma. Arjuna called his aim as “own longing”. In the very young
age his aim was very personal. When Bheeshma, advise him to love his Guru he admits
it immediately. So, he goes to Dronachanya to learn himself. He apologise for
his mistake. Then he understand about Dronacharya that he wanted to keep him
understand that why he makes poor mistakes. Arjuna was so confident about his
archery that he didn’t know that Eklavya also wanted to become the best archer
of the world. Then he understands what Drona
wanted to make him understand that why he makes poor Progress. He understands his “ KARMA’S ” that what is his Karmas towards his family and his kingdom when Drona tells him in frustration
that,
“YOU POOR SELF-OBSESSED
CHILD; YOU WILL THEN REALIZES THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS GOD!”
At that time,
overwhelmed by Drona’s outburst, Arjuna shudders in fear.
Arjuna was so
innocent that he didn't like that Ekalavya also wanted to become the
best archer of the world.
Arjuna:
|
(Plaintively) Forgive me
Gurujee, but I really cannot make out how all the lessons you so kindly teach
me... slip out of my mind...
|
Drona:
|
YOU CANNOT... Paartha! But I CAN! The true
trouble with you is that your AIM is wrong, altogether wrong!
|
Arjuna:
|
"My aim wrong"? But I always aim at
my target, Gurujee, straight at it!
|
Drona:
|
Oh! I am not talking of your aim at your
target! I mean the AIM... the MAIN AIM... the MAIN PURPOSE with which you are
learning... THAT is what is at fault!
|
Arjuna:
|
"My main aim in learning
Archery"?... Well...!
|
Drona:
|
Your AIM, Paartha, is just this: TO ATTAIN
FAME AS AN ARCHER! No more! Every moment you spend at work, your mind is
FULLER of thoughts of the DAY WHEN YOU'LL BE ACCLAIM'D AS THE VERY GREATEST
ARCHER OF ALL TIMES, than of thoughts of the work itself! Be honest now, and
confess that I am right!
|
Arjuna:
|
(Dropping his eyes) Yes, Gurujee, you
are right.
|
This
whole conversation is proof of Arjuna’s aim in his life that he only wanted to
be the best archer of this world by hook or by crook means from one way or by another
way but he want to become best archer of this world.
After Bhishma
and Arjuna’s conversation story begins with the character Of Eklavya. He
was a Nishada boy who wants to learn archery from Guru Dronacharya, because
once he listen it from his mother that if you want to became best archer so
Guru Dronacharya was best teacher for it.
That’s why Eklavya
come to Guru Drona’s asharam and request him to acsept him as a student for
archery, But as usual we see earlier that Guru Dronacharya was very orthodox
mind he taught archery only pandavas and kauravas, so he deny him to taught
archery.
When Arjuna and Eklvya
meet together that time conflict between them is occurs for that, who can
become the best archer in this world example like,
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?
|
Means
both of them wants to best archer in this world and that is not possible that
both of them being best archer of this world and for that any of them have to
give sacrifice and who gives this big sacrifice is Eklavya and that’s why because
of this great and best sacrifice he become central character of this play.
Now let’s talked about the
second and central character of this play and he is Eklvya.
Ekalavya :-
Eklavya is the Protagonist
of this play “ The Purpose ”. He is a Nishada
boy. He also wants to become the best archer of the world. He always speaks
whatever he thinks to be true. He had great esteem. He really likes the
technique of Guru Dronacharya but he also recognized Arjuna as his companion. Eklavya is the main character of T.P.kailasam’s play “The
purpose”. It is taken from the Mahabharat. In Mahabharata he is not powerful character, but
in this play he is powerful character drawn by T.P. kailasam. He was a Nishada
boy. Once he was talk with his mother about archery that he wants to become
best archer in the world, that time his mother told him that Guru Dronacharya
was the best teacher for archery if he accept you as a student so you became
best archer. That time he decided that he learn archery from Guru Dronacharya.
He takes permission from his parents after it he go to meet Guru Dronacharya
and try to convince him to taught him archery, but guru Dronacharya deny him
because he is a teacher of pandavas and kauravas. He tells him that I am a
teacher of prince so I can’t teach you.
When Eklavya enters in
to the Ashram he expresses his feelings with these words:
“(Looking all around
him) This DOES Look like the place Mother spoke of: “A wide vast grassy play
ground with bejeweled and beautifully dressed handsome young princes at bow
sword and mace exercises… being taught their lessons by a tall and noble
looking Brahamana” is how SHE described it! And it all fits in every bit!
He was so interested in the archery that he thought that he must
not miss a word of Drona. This shows his loves for him. He loves archery and
Guru Dronacharya and he has respect for him and this thing we can see in this dialogue
that is spoken by Eklvya in this play,
“……..this
MUST BE THE GREAT DRONACHARYA! Who else could in a few moments and with a few
words turn a voice into a good archery that boy, Partha, looks
a skillful archer already! Why, I am better myself for listening to
him and following his words! ”
During all this
situations Eklavya was not noticed by any one he just share his feelings with
his own self. He tries to prepare himself because now he was going to present
himself to Guru Dronacharya. Guru Dronacharya trained Arjuna for archery that
time Eklavya reached their and talk with himself about Arjuna and Guru
Dronacharya’s conversation.
“(Sotto
Voice) ‘WHAT, HE TOO? What is his reason…..I wonder?
When he heard Drona
telling Arjuna that or become the best archer is on his hands. He immediately
catchers the words and believes that it is in own hands, perhaps it is in his
hands, also.”He has very good
capturing ability.
He
already knows that because of his caste, may be Drona will not teach him but he
thinks that because of him aim he would have to dare for it. Here, he knows
very well that his aim is very noble. He thinks that his aim cannot be noble
than Arjuna. He is very hard-working.
“I HAVE TRIED HARD EVER SO
HARD, SIR, TO LEARN BY MYSELF….BUT IT DOES SEEM NOT POSSIBLE, SIR, TO LEARN ALL
BY ONE’S OWN SELF!”
With the help of these lines we
can say that he is really tries hard to convince Dronacharya to teach him. He
is just child when he speaks all these. We can see his child like manner of
explaining something to elders.
After
it Eklavya leaves and decide to create a statue of GURU DRONACHARYA and he do
it with the inspiration of this statue he starts his learning and he become
successful in it, after some years when Nakul and Sahdev face problem in jungle
because of some wild animals that time Eklavya help him and save their life
with his self learning of archery. When Arjuna saw him that time He can’t trust
himself that Eklavya help his brother, but he is very thankful to Eklavya for
his noble work. That time Guru Dronacharya come and ask Eklavya that how he
learn it so Eklavya told him that just because of you I got it and he tell him
whole story that how he create statue and how he practice with it. After this
situation Guru Dronacharya afraid of him because he gives promise to Arjuna
that he made him best archer in the world but when Arjuna saw that Eklavya was
best comparisons of him so he tell his Gurujee about it and Eklavya don’t
tolerate it so he wants to shut up the mouth of Arjuna so he gives guru
Dakshina to Guru Dronacharya His right thumb. He Know that without Right thumb
He can’t became best archer but because of his Gurujee he compromise with his
life’s biggest intention.
Comparison and Contrast BETWEEN these two characters :-
When we
are taking about these two characters we have to compare and differentiate
these two characters of this play. So, first of all let’s talk about comparison
of these two characters.
Comparison between Arjuna and Eklavya :-
The similarity between both the characters is
that both want to become the world’s best archer. Though the aim is same, the
purpose for it is different. Arjuna has the personal purpose and
Ekalavya’s purpose is to save the animals. So, we can say here that this all
the things are about “The Purpose” or based on the “The Purpose” that how the
purpose is differs from each other. So, here we can say that the title of this
play is appropriate and well chosen by the playwright of this play.
Now let’s talk
about contrast or difference between these two characters Eklavya and Arjuna.
Contrast between
Arjuna and Eklavya :-
Now let’s talk about contrast or difference
between these two characters Eklavya and Arjuna. That this both characters have his different
aspects and different point of views about the purpose of learning archery. In their childhood, Ekalavya tells Arjuna face to face that
Arjuna can not improve it will continue his archery like he is doing at that
time. It shows that Eklavya is self learner and fast learner with the comparison
of Arjuna. And Arjuna is slow learner then Eklavya.
Arjuna
:
“(Reiterating what he
heard of Ekalavya’s words) The boy Partha will haven improve” (Looking around)
who said that?”
Arjuna couldn't bear
that. This shows that Ekalavya is very dedicated or good observer and he
observed truth and real thing in Arjuna. He follows each and every advice of
Drona. He always follows his mother’s advice in his mind. So, when Arjuna tells
him about his caste. He tells him that,
“(Smiling)
“What else? Mother always says that PRIDE IN ONE’S CASTE MORE THAN IN ONE’S
POWER TO DO GOOD is the surest sign of a weak head !...”
Ekalavya never loses his temper in
a small matter. When Arjuna tells him that he doesn't like him. He
says that it is his fear. Because when Guruji tells him that he is willing to
teach but cannot. At that time, he thinks that the all necessary elements for
the archery are fulfilled now. Arjuna has hasty nature and Eklvya is totally
opposite in nature with him because Eklavya is very cool in nature with
comparison of Arjuna. Ekalavya even
gives his thumb to Drona but at the end repents because it became burls in
purpose. He did all that in love for his Guruji means Guru Dronacharya. And
when he saw that Arjuna complaints his Gurujee about his better archery that
time he compromise with his life and he shut up the mouth of Arjuna, and gives
his right thumb. So we can say that Eklavya was better than Arjuna. After he
lost his thumb he feels very depressed and expresses his feelings with these
words:
“WILL YOU ALL PLEASE
LEAVE ME TO MY OWNSELF?” , “YOU KNOW, IT WILL NEVER BE FAREWELL BETWEEN US,
GURUJEE.” , “GODS! MY FAWNS IN DISTRESS! AND I TOO HELPLESS MYSELF TO HELP
THEM!
So, we can say here that Eklavya is better than
Arjuna in this play because he gives sacrifice for his Guruji and for the
respect of his Guruji.
Conclusion
:-
So, we can say
that here in this play Kailasam
tried to give justice to Ekalavya’s Character which is not there is in original
myth. Here he tries to destroy or break the real myth of Mahabharata. This is the typical style of T.P. Kailasam
that he breaks the myths of Mahabharata in his all plays or in his all works. For his art of
writing he has said that,
“ The greatness of art is in Proportion to the greatness, of the characters of the characters that the artist creates. ”
