Monday 2 September 2019

The purpose - T. P. Kailasam

Here is my answer on 'The purpose' by T. P. Kailasam task given by Vaidehi ma'am Haryani. Click here to read about this task.

T. P. Kailasam :  



T. P. Kailasam , was a playwright and prominent writer of Kannada literature. His contribution to Kannada theatrical comedy earned him the title Prahasana Prapitamaha,' the father of humorous play's and later he was also called ' Kannadakke Obbane Kailasam' meaning ' one and only Kailasam for Kannada'.

His famous works : 



The purpose  -  T.P. Kailasam  :



Purpose by T. P. Kailasam , is a short play dramtizing events that occurred in the Mhabharata involving Drona, Arjuna and Eklavya. Drona is a skilled teacher, renown throughout the land for his wisdom and skill. Arjuna is a Prince of a great kingdom. Eklavya is a tribal boy from a relatively faraway area.

Q - 1 : Compare and Contrast Arjuna and Eklavya's character.


  • Compare and Contrast character of Arjuna and Ekalavya : 


The purpose by T. P. Kailasam is based on Mahabharata.But here kailasam presented the story is different way. Eklavya is protagonist in this play. The play from Eklavyas point of view. He has been given a voice here. Arjuna is kshatriya . He is belonging to powerful upper cast. He is a arrogant and prodigal Prince. Other side Eklavya is a weak person from lower cast . He is a Nishadha boy. We can see that  Arjuna wants to become the great archer of the world and Ekalavya explains that he wants to learn archery to save lives of innocent animals. There perspective are different . We can say that  Arjuna's purpose behind learning archery is self centered while Ekalavya's purpose is nobel. In the Mahabharata Arjuna is a main character but here we can see that Ekalvaya presented as main character. In the second act Ekalavya is far ahead then Arjuna in Archery.  Arjuna become anger and said his guru that he tells everyone that guru dorna has not kept his vow. To save guru from social criticism Ekalavya gives his thumb as a gurudakshina. We feel pity for character of Ekalavya.

Q - 2 : what is subaltern? Who do you think is the subaltern in this play? Explain with Examples. 


  • Meaning of subaltern : 
In the last two decades of the 20th century, subaltern studies, postcolonial theory and criticism gained momentum, especially, as a corollary to globalisation in the third world countries. If postcolonial criticism is taken as an offshoot of postmodernism subaltern studies derives its force from Marxism, poststructuralism and becomes a part of the postcolonial criticism.

" Subaltern" , meaning  " of inferior rank", is a term adopted by Antonio Gramsci to refer to those working class people in Soviet union who are subject to the hegemony of the ruling classes. Subaltern classes may include peasants, workers and other groups denied access to hegemonic power.

Subaltern mean a some one a low ranking in a society. We can say that Eklavya is a subaltern in this play. Because he was belonging to lower cast people. He is a Nishadha boy. He is  presented as a marginalized person .

Q - 3 : Write your views about Education system in India with reference to past and present time.

In a ancient times India had the Gurukula system of education in which anyone who wished to study went to a teacher's ( guru) house and requested to be taught. If accepted as a student by the guru, he would then stay at the guru's place and help in all activities at home. All learning was closely linked to nature and to life. In ancient times  Guru teaching to only great king and his son and Brahmins son. But in present time this situation is changed.

રાજાકા બેટાહી રાજા નહીં બનેગા,
રાજા વહી બનેગા જો હકદાર હોગા.

This is one of the famous dailog by Anand kumar in the movie of  'Super 30' .  Now those day not only king and Brahmins son who  received education but all the people who received the equal chance to learning. Education system is changed in many ways but corruption is running. Most of people use education as a tool of business. In the past time Eklavya is not received education but in a present time all have equal rights for education.

Q - 4 : Dronacharya an ideal teacher? If yes,how? And if no, why ? Explain with Examples.

Guru means a teacher,  the one who removes mental and spiritual darkness with his teaching and conduct. Gu means " darkness of ignorance" and " Ru" means  "one who removes" one who dispels the darkness and takes towards light.


 We can not say that Dronacharya is ideal teacher.  All students are equal for teacher. I would like to mention here one quote from the novel of " Animal Farm",

"All are equal but some are more equal than others".

This quotation is suitable in the story of Ekalavya. In real life we can see that this thing happens in many places. We see the story of Ekalavya that Dronacharya teaches archery to Arjuna  but cannot accept Ekalavya's proposal because of his promise to Arjuna . Ekalavya is lower class person and he wants to learning to dronacharya . But dronacharya teaching only great king and his son. So we can not say that guru drona is a ideal teacher because all students are equal for teacher.



                     Thank you ..........