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Naga Mandala and Hayavadana by Girish Karnad

Introduction

Art is one pivotal and subtle mode of articulation and depiction of not only the inner feelings of a person, but even that of a society. Amongst the varying modes or forms of art, comes the most explicit and expressive form, which are dramas or the plays. The dramas or the pays are the most sagacious form of not only articulating an important and heedful message or content, but also depiction of prevailing societal cultural values and social circumstances. Bearing in mind the prime values of the facets of dramas, this essay will take into account two of the most distinct dramas, and astutely analyze them in the context of the social and cultural issues being worded.

Overview of Naga Mandala

As mentioned in the introductory section that this essay will take into account two of the most distinct dramas; henceforth, the drama or the play chosen at this stage is a well renowned and celebrated play, which later even took form of a film in India, Naga Mandala. Naga Mandala had been written by one of the India's most celebrated play writers Girish Karnad. In this play, in a rather subtle, yet apparent manner, the writer endeavored to bring to the limelight the common myth that still exists in the Indian society, coupled with the rituals and societal norms that are prevalent in the name of religious practices.

The basic facets of the play tend to render the diction of the woman's longing for her man's love and affection and every measure she is willing to do, in order to bound her man in the web f her love. The corner stone of the play revolves around the bafflement of the husband who at one point claims to not being affectionate to her wife in any manner, and at the same time spends delightful moments with her at night. The play begins with the usual depiction of a man and woman, whom the society has labeled as husband and wife. Where the woman longs for the affection of her husband, the man on the other hand does nothing to show affection towards her. Willing to gain his love at any cost, she opts to drug her husband with the love root in the glass of milk. Accidently, the milk spills and instead of her husband, is drunk by a snake, which has the capability of taking a human shape.

As the snake drinks the milk, he is inadvertently enchanted by the charm of the woman and falls in love with her, and starts visiting her every night in form of her husband. To the woman it seems that her wish has been granted; little does she know that the man, who is so affectionate to her, is not her husband. After on, when the woman breaks the news to her actual husband about being pregnant, she is accused of adultery and is presented in front of a local court, known as panchayat. When ...