Tughlaq by Girish Karnad

About Girish Karnad :

Girish Karnad was an Indian playwright, actor, and film director who made significant contributions to Indian theatre, cinema, and literature. He was born on May 19, 1938, in Matheran, Maharashtra, India, and passed away on June 10, 2019, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Karnad received his education from the University of Oxford and the University of Mumbai. He began his career as a playwright in the 1960s and wrote many plays in Kannada, Hindi, and English, including "Yayati," "Tughlaq," and "Naga-Mandala." His plays were known for their powerful themes and their use of folklore, mythology, and history.

Karnad was also an accomplished actor and appeared in several films and television shows, including the Hindi film "Nishant" and the Kannada film "Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane." He directed several critically acclaimed films, including "Vamsha Vriksha" and "Utsav."

Karnad was the recipient of several awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, which are some of the highest civilian awards in India. He was also a Rhodes Scholar and a Fellow of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama.

Girish Karnad's contributions to Indian theatre, cinema, and literature have been immense, and his works continue to inspire generations of artists and audiences.

About Tughlaq :

"Tughlaq" is a play written by Girish Karnad, a prominent Indian playwright, in 1964. The play is set in the 14th century and is a fictionalized account of the life of the Delhi Sultan, Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

The play portrays Tughlaq as a complex and enigmatic character who is simultaneously brilliant and cruel, visionary and delusional. Tughlaq is shown as a man who is obsessed with his own intelligence and who believes that he can reshape the world according to his own ideas. He is depicted as a ruler who is impatient with his own people and who is willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals.

Karnad uses Tughlaq as a metaphor for the failure of idealism in politics. Tughlaq's grand vision for India, which includes universal education, a uniform legal system, and an end to religious divisions, is ultimately thwarted by his own arrogance and impatience. The play suggests that Tughlaq's failure was not only due to his own flaws, but also to the larger historical forces that were shaping India at the time.

Karnad's play is notable for its use of language and its portrayal of the complex relationship between power and ideology. Through the character of Tughlaq, Karnad explores themes such as ambition, idealism, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power. Overall, "Tughlaq" is a powerful and thought-provoking play that continues to resonate with audiences in India and around the world.

Explain the major characters in play Tughlaq 

"Tughlaq" is a historical play written by Girish Karnad that focuses on the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, a Sultan of Delhi who ruled in the 14th century. The play has several characters, including:

Muhammad bin Tughlaq: He is the protagonist of the play and the Sultan of Delhi. Muhammad bin Tughlaq is a complex character who is portrayed as intelligent but also impulsive and prone to making erratic decisions. He is deeply conflicted about the state of his kingdom and struggles to balance his own desires and ideals with the needs of his people.

Aziz: He is one of the closest advisors of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Aziz is a wise and knowledgeable man who is deeply loyal to the Sultan. He is often called upon to advise Muhammad bin Tughlaq on important decisions, but his advice is not always heeded.

Jauna Khan: He is a powerful nobleman who is constantly vying for power and influence at the Sultan's court. Jauna Khan is cunning and manipulative, and he often uses his charm and wit to get what he wants.

Barani: He is a historian and chronicler who is critical of Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign. Barani is a respected intellectual and his views carry weight with the people of Delhi.

Qutub: He is a poet who is initially loyal to Muhammad bin Tughlaq but later becomes disillusioned with his reign. Qutub is a symbol of the intellectual and artistic community of Delhi, which is often at odds with the Sultan's regime.

Kabir: He is a mystical poet who is revered by the common people of Delhi. Kabir is a symbol of the spiritual and philosophical traditions of India, which are often at odds with the values of the ruling class.

Overall, the play "Tughlaq" portrays a complex web of relationships and conflicts between the characters, highlighting the tensions between power, ideology, and personal ambition in the context of medieval India.

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