"The Purpose" by T.P.Kailasam

               

Purpose, by T.P. Kailasam, is a short play dramatizing events that occurred in the Mahabharata 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 far-away area.

We study about Indian writing in English to Indian writer like T.P.Kailasam. He was written at different and post colonial thinks in portrayed Ekalavya character. The Purpose by T. P. Kailasam is a drama in two acts. The story is based on Adiparva from ‘The Mahabharata”.  As we see that in the story how Kailasam givenmargin and criticize to Arjun and Dhrona Characters. The story moves around Ekalavya and Arjun and their purpose behind learning archery. Both want to learn archery from the greatDronacharya. But we see post colonial thinks in Ekalavya characters are center and periphery to Ajuna’s character. When the story goes that ancient time in only forBrahmins teaching to Shatriya, not any other caste person. Ekalavya was lower caste person and he was learning to Dronacharya. He was teaching to great Raja and his sons.  

Eklavya is still torn, confused and uncertain. He was caught between a loyalty to his Guru (who had made his purpose possible) and a loyalty to his purpose (for which he needed the Guru). Caught in this paradox and a fit of rage, he made an impetuous decision. The fact that he is still undecided after having sacrificed his thumb reflects the agonizing pain that he must be feeling. He is caught between two sides, both favoured equally, but he's already committed wholeheartedly to one. This can be seen as being reflective of the pain of indecision.

Another important point worth mentioning is that things go slightly differently in the original story in the Mahabharata. In the original story Drona is portrayed as being vengeful. Unhappy that Eklavya 'disobeyed' his instructions, he demands the Guru Dakshina. The fact that this is quite different in the two tellings helps us extract a little information about the significance of the text. Drona is caught between his promises and what he knows is right. He is torn by his loyalty towards his promise (which he swore he would not break) and his loyalty to his sense of justice (which tells him that Eklavya's purpose is noble and pure).

Despite the fact that all the outwardly conflicts are catalysed by Arjuna, the larger predominant conflicts are the internal ones of Eklavya and Drona. Both suffer tremendous turmoil and indecision. While Drona suppresses his and keeps thinking of possible solution, Eklavya makes an impetuous decision which further catalyses the internal clashing of resolves.

In the end however, Eklavya is still unsure as to whether what he did was right or wrong. His confusion and pain makes a lasting impact on the viewer.

The play also implicitly comments on the concepts of loyalty and heroism. Is the idea of loyalty an worthwhile one? Can it really be chosen over common sense? What does one really get out of being loyal? These are a few of the questions evoked in the mind of the viewer throughout the play. Eklavya's heroism can also be read into. In a fit of rage he made a sacrifice he was unwilling to make. In a desperate attempt to maintain his loyalty to the Guru, he gave away what was not his to give: his purpose.