On the sixteenth day of the great war of the Mahabharata, with Bhishma fallen, Karna steps forward to fight for the Kauravas. He advances toward the battlefield accompanied by his charioteer, Shalya. Karna’s mind wrestles with questions of identity, caste, and social status. Is he the son of Kunti and Surya, or of Radha and the charioteer Adhiratha? He reflects on the futility of war where men slaughter one another in the name of duty and loyalty. Karna recounts to Shalya the curse he received from his guru, Parshuram, for concealing his identity. He was confronted by Indra, disguised as a Brahmin, who cunningly demands alms and, insists Karna for his divine kavach (armour) and kundal (earrings). Karna, aware of the deception and recognizing the hand of the shrewd Krishna behind this scheme, accepts his fate with dignity and rides forth steadfast, fearless, and prepared to meet his ultimate end.
Writer
Mahakavi Bhasa remains one of the most celebrated figures in classical Sanskrit theatre. His works reveal a profound understanding of human psychology and social structures, bringing to life characters of remarkable complexity and depth, and innovative structure and thematic boldness. His dramas, layered with emotional nuance and philosophical inquiry, offer timeless insights into both the human spirit and the cultural ethos of ancient India.
Translator
Dr. Mahesh Champaklal has been a Professor Emeritus, and a reputed national scholar of Theatre Arts. He has worked as Head of Drama Dept., Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara. From 1977 to 1981, he was associated with professional and commercial Gujarati theatre in Mumbai, playing lead roles in several acclaimed productions. He has been an active contributor to Alternative and Experimental Gujarati Theatre as a writer, actor, and director. He was conferred the Gaurav Puraskar for Theatre, Government of Gujarat (2007), and received the Best Translator’s Award, National Sahitya Parishad, New Delhi, for the Gujarati translation of Girish Karnad’s The Fire and the Rain
Director
- S. Chari has directed plays in Gujarati, Hindi, English, and Marathi. An ex-member of the Gujarat Sangeet Natak Akademi and its Script Scrutiny Board, he has represented India internationally visiting the USA and Canada in May 1998 as part of the Rotary Exchange International Program, and being invited by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan International, London, to conduct a theatre workshop and launch a new production, Mare Kone Kahevu. His acclaimed directorial productions are Daak Ghar, Gopal Ane Sayaji, Garje Girnari Billi, Once More – Desi Gujarati Opera, Kanasari, and Soaring Sixes a play chronicling the history of Indian cricket, tracing its journey from Tankara and the Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat, also archived by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), London, England. His contributions to theatre have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Gaurav Puraskar conferred by the Gujarat Sangeet Natak Akademi in September 2007.
Director’s Note
Karna No Vesh explores the journey through the performance and practices of Bhavai, in dialogue with the timeless richness of Sanskrit plays. This production reimagines mythology for a new era and a contemporary audience. The treatment moves beyond caricature, transcending the limitations of time and space, while remaining rooted in the realities of our age. The production weaves in melodious Bhavai songs, prayers, and Garba. Acrobatics or Nukatas mesmerize the audience, while the Ranglo delights with spirited slapstick. Karna No Vesh is both an actor’s and a director’s play, one that entertains while daring to break away from established practices, celebrating theatre as an evolving and living art.
Group
Founded in 1960, Triveni has been a vibrant theatre group dedicated to exploring both traditional and experimental theatre forms. Landmark productions are Dhara Gurjari, Shetal Ne Kanthe, Ho Holika, and Sikandar Saaani. The group has performed in Triveni has been invited to major national and international theatre festivals. Internationally, the group has staged productions in the United States, Canada, and Britain on special invitations.