Impact of Brechtian theory on Girish Karnad: An Analysis of Hayavadana and Yayati

Abstract

Drama is very popularly known as the ‘fifth Veda’. Since ages the concept of drama has been to provide entertainment & pleasure to the audience. The Indian as well as Western playwrights have written plays with instruction and entertainment as their objectives. But what actually is the effect of these plays on the audience? Many theorists have given their principles on the dramatic ends and Aristotle is the most prominent among them who has proposed ‘catharsis’ as the function of drama. The present paper throws light on the impact of Brechtian theory on Girish Karnad’s two plays ‘Hayavadava’ and ‘Yayati’ as opposed to the principles foregrounded by Aristotle. In the postcolonial stance the mimetic theory of Aristotle is replaced by the ‘Epic Theatre’ of Bertolt Bercht which depicts the function of drama as ‘anticathartic’. He mentions that the resultant effect of drama is not only to evoke the elements of pity & fear but make the audience think about the cause and effect of the play. Being influenced by the Brechtian theatre Karnad uses it in the Indian context and adds new dimensions to the Indian theatre. This paper explores how Girish Karnad exploits the traditional myths in the modernized terms and reflects Brechtian impact on the above mentioned plays.