Port them until they are children beliey e in the Vedas which invok BHAVA, es, ‘“MATHRU DEVO. PITRU DEVO BHAVA’ we Consider our parents as Gods ect our elders, Mar- is enjoined by love and affection and take care of them in their old age. We res Tage is a sacred union. A family and this is the soul of Indian value system and our essential strength. © emphasizes that in India, families act as a crucial support Mechanism for us. He refers to his software company, ‘Infosys’, ein the company succeeded to establish itself as a ——s Sompany, with the support of their families. MrMurthy becomesB.Com/B.B.A | III Semester Mor critical when he says that it is ironical that the belief in values ig nop emulated in our behavior in the society. OU community is quite opposite our attitude towards the family. He criticizes our attitude for littering streets, corruption in public life and our indifference to common good of the socie' people of the west where each individua responsibility towards society and act accordingly. 2. What will Western value system teach us? Mr. Murthy gives a comparison between the western values and Indian values in society. He admires the westerns for their ‘So- ciety Orientation’, i.e., their awareness of their responsibility towards inks that they care more for their fellow countrymen ations for the ir attitude towards the ty. He exemplifies the | understands their society. He th than we do, and they tend to sacrifice their own aspir welfare of their society. He believes that this will increase the qual- ity of life of that society. He stresses that these values are what we should learn from the west. List out the differences between Indian Values and Western values. Mr .Murthy contradicts Indian attitude with that of the west, such as; we keep our houses clean but litter the streets. Another example that Narayanmurthy gives is that of rampant public corrup- tion, which indicates that Indians put their own interest and their family above that of the interests of the society. He notes that the west is proportionally free of corruption, where it is very di fficult to bribe a police officer for violating traffic rules. Murthy reasons that people in the west behave responsibily towards their community while Indian Society is mired in corruption, tax evasion, cheating and brib- ery that have denigrated Indian society and nobody is bothered about it. Murthy again enumerates the impediments to our progress, which is otherwise within our reach, Firstly, Indians are indifferent in solvi m p.B.A| [11 Semester / Bangalore University community matters although we see blatant violations of values = west, people go- ahead without any hesitation to solve societal inthe ut we Indians behave as if it is not our responsibility. problems, b 4, What is the essence of Indian values and one of our key strengths? Narayanmurthy assigns great imp: system. He says he is proud to be part 0: deep-rooted family values. He eloquently where we have tremendous loyalty to the family. For instance, par- ents make enormous sacrifices for their children and support them until they are able to earn a living. Accordingly, Indian children be- lieve in the Vedas which i ‘MATHRU DEVO BHAVA, PITRU DEVO BHAVA’ we °° as Gods and take care of them in their old age- We respect Ou elders. Marriage is @ sacred union. A family is enjoined by love and affection and this 1S the soul of Indian value system and our essential strength. p.co ing ortance to ancient Indian value f Indian culture, which has praises our value system invokes, nsider our parents oowTest Yourself: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each : 1. What was the Actor-Manager plea to the c the play? An actor- manager of a drama troupe comes asking for permis- sion to enact a play, he says it would further satisfy Lord Indra and bring rains to the land which has been suffering drought for about ten years. On hearing that Aravasu is one of the artists in the play, Paravasu gives them permission to perform. Aravasu is the younger brother of Paravasu. 2. Why was Aravasu apprehensive of his impending meeting with Nittilai's tribesman? In the play, ‘The Fire and the Rain’ by Girish Karnad, Paravasu s younger brother, Aravasu isi ith Nittilai,atei is a Brahmin, but Nittilai is of a lower cé th between Brahmin and tribal customs. Tribals are more free, more open in making a marriage proposal or declaration. The proposal to marry a tribal girl had to be made in front of the entire village as per tribal customs. Aravasu, a Brahmin was unaccustomed to this idea and was both nervous and embarrassed about following this tribal custom. Aravasu has very clear idea about his position with refer- ence to his family that he is inferior and therefore considered quite worthless by everyone. He is also clear about the one thing that he Wanted in his life is to dance, sing, act, and be with his beloved Nittilai, 3. Why did Yavakri spend 10 years in the forest? Baradwaja’s son, Yavakri, is enraged because he believes that f priest in differenceB.Com/B.B.A | III Semester ESSE his father , Bharadwaja has not received the recognition due to him, though he is learned scholar. Yavakri feels that his uncle, Raibhyg has stole the limelight from his father. Hence Yavakri goes to the forest to attain enlightenment from Lord Indra and is blessed with Brahmagnyana after ten years. 4. What were the two questions that Nittilai wanted to ask Yavakri? She wants to ask two important questions to Yavakri. 47 Whether Yavakri can make it rain? 2 Whether he knows when he would die?? 5. Who is Vishaka? Vishaka had been Yavakri’s lady-love whom he had abandoned ten years ago. Vishaka is now married to Paravasu, the elder son of Raibhya. Yavakri tries to rekindle their love, Vishaka initially resists but later gives in. 6. How is Vishaka related to Yavakri? Vishaka was Paravasu’s wedded wife, and the daughter-in-law of Raibhya. Before her marriage to Paravasu, she and Yavakri were in love with each other. But Yavakri abandoned her to go to the for- est to under-take a 1Q year long penance. When he returned to his father, Bharadwaja’s hermitage after gaining “universal knowledge’ Vishaka, was already wedded to Paravasu. But Yavakri lures Vishaka into an unethical retationship and uses her to avenge his father’s humiliation. 7. Who is the blind character in the play? _Andhaka, the blind sudra sage who guards the hermitage of Bharadwaja. 8. What is the major theme of the play? 4 The title of ‘The Fire and the Rain’ brings to light the a theme which is the performance of the fire sacrifice to propitife {28 }- :Bangalore Universi Indra, the god of rain, for Pringing rain othe dough play is based on the myth Of Yavakrj and it land. The lay fice for bringing rain to the land, ew swonnet the fire sacri. 9, What does Nittilai symbolize in the play? Nittilai symbolises the rain ofhuman love. Ni of virtue, humanity, simplicity and selflessn. relation to the caste-ridden Indian Society, 10. Who sacrifices their life at the end of the play? Paravasu and Nittilai sacrifice their lives at the end of the play. 11, How did Raibhya intend to punish Yavakri? Yavakri, Bharadwaja’s son, possesses a grudge towards the family of Raibhya, as he had the feeling that his father did not re- ceive his due recognition because Raibhya became the sontnot focus in everything. He went to the forest and succeeded in gaining the knowledge of the Vedas directly from the Gods. After ten me of stringent penance, he was granted the Op sgh by Lord Indra. This achievement instead of making him ae oe Matured, made him arrogant. After some time, he lures Raibhya’ : aughter-in-taw, as he thought that neither Raibhya nor Paravas Would be able to challenge him. But Raibhya wis Redes invoked the ‘Kritya’ spirit and created a oe ito a’ which "law and a Rakshasa, Raibhya stole Yavakr’ oe any at “ontained the sanctified water which would save ae : was pre- Wek, Yavakri’s attempt to enter his father’s ee ates Vented by the blind gate-keeper, a Sudra. It was then wey aRakshasa with trident i * Yavakri hated Raibhya's family why? ittlai becomes symbol ess. 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The play performed by the actor's troupe isa referengey! Lord Indra and his two half- brothers Vishwarupa and the D King, Vrittra. Indira is the Lord of Heavens. Vishwarupa isthe Lay of the Earth and Vrittra is the Lord of the Underworld: ingiess pride as the Lord of Heavens makes him arrogant and he Replat the duties and is lost in materialistic pleasures. Vishwarupa gy Vrittra being strong and able rulers gained popularity which mug. Indira insecure and he killed both by deceit and Indra becom, powerful again. But in the play-within-play “The Fire and the Raig Aravasu deliberately twists the plot and takes up the role of Vita. and deviates’ from the actual story. In the Play-within-pta, Vishwarupa and Vrittra, the sons of Brahma and brothers of Log Indra Meet Lord Indra and embrace each other. Indra ‘is jealous gf Visharupa’s greatness and popularity he plots to kill him and organiza, a fire- sacrifice and invites Vishwaraupa. Vishwarupa comes to the yagna w isa demon-king. When vishwarupa was praying to the fire-god, Indy kills him with his powerful Vajrayudha. This juxtaposes with Aravagy. Paravasu relationship. Aravasu who has donned the mask of Vriti, is overwhelmed by Vrittra’s spirit and recognizes himself as Viity the demon-king. He forgets he is acting and is about to-attack Indra, played by the actor-manger. Just then Nittilai rushes to Aravasuang rips of the mask of Vrittra from hi: Tragical Vrittra but Indra objects to the presence of Vrittra, as . Aravasu regains his senses, Nittlai’s brother and her husband arrive there and killhe for betraying the tribal mores of marriage-Nittali has now become the sacrificial animal. Aravasu puts her lifeless body over his shoulder and walks to the altar to immolate himself-at the alter. The voiced ies and he consoles Aravasu and gratis life of Nittilai restored but the Brahma ee B.Com BBA Semester» pakshasa pleads hitn £0" his yn ae 1 penevolence and asks Indes to eiewe ‘ieorene then bestows Copious rains to thar wate gains pleased with the noble sacrifice ot land. | guilt and remorse, Puravasu inomolates yn = ‘The technique of the play-withinplay jee the sub- plot and brings about 4 cemoece 5. Explain the symbolism used in ana aa In the Play * Fire-and the Rain’,the-Fre and hatred and ‘Rain’ symbolizs « fire of hatred and bring peace and Penn In the play, “Fire and the Rain’ the play has effectively demonstrated the emotion « of knowledge and fragility of human nature Raibhaya, Paravasu, Aravasu Vishaka Yaw brothers, Raibhya and Bharadhswarsres ers by birth. Raibhya had two sons. Pa famous scholars Bharadwaja’s son, Yavak Raibhya’s family a he felt that His fath nition which he deserved while Raibhya grudged Yavkari performs a penance Indra appears and grants him ‘Univers This made him egostic and arrogant. 1 man, he does not use his knowledge f succumbs to desires and egostic passi Vishaka, the daughter-in-law of Rail his own ulterior motives. Raibhya co sions and invokes the “Kritya Spirit’ daughter-in-law Vishaka and a Raks! Vishaka learns that Yavakri had us¢ Seg,Com/ B-BYA {II Semester / Bangalore Universit akshasa pleads him for his own release ae clenc- ante a recalls Nittilai’s then bestows copioy rains to that parched ngtiiainaan Indra jains pleased with the noble sacrifice of Aravasu Overcome by guilt and RR Puravasu immolates himself in the sacrificial a The technique of the play-within-play juxtaposes, the main- plot and the sub- plot and brings about a reversal of events. 5, Explain the symbolism used in the play Fire and the Rain. In the Play * Fire-and the Rain’, the ‘Fire’ symbolizes jealously and hatred and ‘Rain’ symbolizs ‘appeasement’. Rains quench the fire of hatred and bring peace and Prosperity. In the play, ‘Fire and the Rain’ the playwright, Girish Karnad, has effectively demonstrated the emotion of egos, revenge, misuse of knowledge and fragility of human nature through his characters, Raibhaya, Paravasu, Aravasu Vishaka, Yavakri an Bhardhwaja. The brothers, Raibhya and Bharadhawaja are learned sa [so broth- ers by birth, Raibhya had two sons, Par both famous scholars Bharadwaja’s son, Yavakri nursed a grudge against Raibhya’s family as he felt that His father didn’t receive the recog: nition which he deserved while Raibhya hogged the limelight. A be- grudged Yavkari perfo: years and Lord al Knowledge, of the vedas. Indra appears and grants him ‘Univers: : This made him egostic and arrogant. Though being an aigenes man, he does not use his knowledge for the good of the —— ; ; ; i Succumbs to desires and egostic passions. He entices yume ane ae i ibhya ‘Shaka, the daughter-in-law of Rail ! — 's own ulterior motives. Raibhya comes 10 know of their transgt ook-alike of his has granted Sions and invokes the “Kritya Spirit” and created 81008 en Vietter-in-taw Vishaka and a Je Yavakar “Shaka learns that Yavakri had used she steals her for his revenge,holy water that would save Yavkarj from troys it. @he Rakshasa kills him. The clash imilarl>, Raibhya is jealous as his son Paravasy, as the chief priest of the fire-sacrifice held by the Lord Indra, the God of rains, to bring rains to the d kingdom for more than ten years. Paravasu who father mistook his father for a ng prosecuted for patri- id frames Aravasu fo jing and Aravasu loses his posi- a priest in the fire-sacrifice. Ego acts.as a catalyst for a yngement of friends, brothers and father and sons, which ends in deaths. In the play, Raibhya, Bharadwaja and Yavakri misue heir knowledge to wreak vengeance against each other.. When Raibhya learns that Yavakri had an unethical liaison with his daugh-_ ter- in- law knowledge, he is enraged and summons the krithya-spirit to create a look-alike Vishaka who steals the kamandala filled with holy water that would save Yavakri form mortal attack and destroys it. The Rakshasa created by Raibhya corners Yavakri at the en- trance of his fathers hermitage and kills him with a trident. When Bharadwaja learnt how His son died, he-cursed Raibhya would die at the hands of his own son. But when he realizes that he has mis- used his knowledge he makes amendments and remorsefully immo- lated himself. But later_in the play Bharadwaja’s curse becomes true. Parvasu briefly visits his father, leaving the fire sacrifice and kills Raibhya dressed in deer skin . He mistook the deer skin worn by this father to be a wild deer, and unintentionally. kills-him. The play,’Fire and the Rain’ is a debate on the ugly humane side of the godly Brahmin caste as men of vices’, It is a comment on the issues of human frailities such as patriarchy, vanity of the Brahmin caste, jealously, malice, mistrust, betrayal, adultery and revenge. Just likep.com B.B.A| [Semester / Bangalore University (QagTy tne droug ht raging in the land for more than ten years, there is a drought of vé alues in the characters of the play. Each has his own frailities. Yava toacquire ‘Supreme Knowledge’ to destroy the reputation of Raibhya and Paravasu. The character of Yavakri is used to explore man- women relationship and the destructive consequences of pride, jeal- ousy, lust and anger. Raibhya, Paraysu and Yavakri are the unfortu- nate human-beings who have succumbed to egotism and use their scholarly knowledge to avenge one another. Yavakri brims with hy- pocrisy, hatred, treachery, violence and revenge. Yavakri uses an- other man’s wedded wife, i.e Vishaka to avenge his father’s Humili- ation, by seducing her. Vishaka becomes a mere instrument for Yavakri to fulfill is physical desires. His ‘Universal Knowledge’ be- comes useless, as he failed to use it for his own and the worlds good, but resorts to sinful ways to avenge his insecurities. Similarly, Raibhya beinga learned sage gives in to his carnal instincts and uses his own daughter-in-law to satisfy his desires. In the beginning Aravasu shows signs of arrogance and egotism but gentle Nittilai doesn’t allow him to stray and give in to human-frailities. Parvasu may be a learned scholar but he is not a good husband to Vishaka. He abandons her at his father’s hermitage and immerses himself in the fire-sacrifice for seven long years. Paravasu eliminates his brother Aravasu form the fire-sacrifice by framing him for Raibhya’s death. 6. Give a character analysis of Aravasu in the play the fire and the rain. kri is vengeful. His sole purpose of his penance was Sc] — Nae anuae born ina am of sages is not interested das but likes to act in plays as an actor, Aravasu is @ interesting eeis also a learned scholar. He is proud ma Unconventionally he falls in love with a trial gir noted by his love for her, he even decides to re. ste. Interested in acting he joins a troupe of actory simple minded and innocent youth. He is neither imper- He appears to be sometimes stupid. He lets his and brother to use him for their own devious agendas and silently. His elder brother, Pravasu frames him for killing ther, Raibhya and he silently owns the responsibility of patri- le. To make Paravasu remorseful for his act of killing their father, sade’s him to let him stage a play-within-play ‘The Triumph Lord Indra’, contrary to his own character in the main play, he enacts the role of Vrittra, a demon-king, the step-brother of Lord Indra. Unlike the ‘Myth of Indra’, where Indra kills his own step- brother for his own glorious future, Aravasu, enacting the role of Vrittra, tries to attack Indra (enacted by the actor-manager of the drama troupe . He is instrumental to the desecration of the sacrificial fire-altar, where the remorseful Paravasu, immmmolates himself. But at the end of the play he persuades Lord Indra to release the Brahma- Rakshasha (a symbol of his own guilt). He sacrifices his own happiness with Nittalai for the redemption of Brahama Rakshasa. Aravasu’s noble act appeases the Rain-God Indra and he bestows copious rains to the parched land. Aravasu’s noble act is definitely a self-sacrifice that resolves the crisis of drought and brings rains. 7. Who creates Brahma Rakshasa in the play? Explain the role played by Brahma Rakshasa. In the play. ‘Fire and the Rain’ by Girish Karnad, Raibhya, the father of Puravasu and Aravasu creates Brahma Rakshasa, Raibhaya and Bharadwaja are two learned sages and are good friends. Raibhya’s sons were also learned scholars, Bharadwaja’s sog.Com/B.BOA| III Semester / Bangalore University (QRWN yavakri, held a grudge against Raibhya because he felt that his fa- ther didn’t receive due recognition which he deserved because Raibhya had all the recognition. Yavakri undertook a penance for ten years and Lord Indra granted him ‘Universal Knowledge’ of the Vedas, which made him arrogant. Yavakri had an extra-material liai- son with Paravasu’s wife, Vishaka believing that none of the Raibhya family members would challenge him. An enraged Raibhya involved the *kritya’ spirit and created a look-alike of his daughter-in-law Vishaka and a rakshasa. The look-alike Vishaka stole Yavakri’s kamandala that contained the holy water which would save him from any mortal attack and poured into onto the earth, the rakshasa chased Yavakri withan intent to kill him. Yavakri tried to take refuge in his father’s hermitage, but Andaka the blind shudra gate-keeper who was guarding his father’s hrrmitage, delayed his entry. Meanwhile the rakasha gets hold of Yavakri and kills him with a trident. The playwright Girish Karnad alters this mythical incident in the Play, ‘Fire-and the Rain’ as a dramatic technique to create a situation to emphasize the jealously, betrayal, rivalry between the friends and brothers. The playwright employs the Brahma Rakshasa created by Raibhya;.as a brahma soul trapped between heaven and earth. He Plays a very significant role in transforming Aravasu into a benevolent human being, At the end of the play when the fire-sacrifice is about ‘0 culminate, Aravasu’s lady- love Nittilali is killed by her brother ‘nd her husband..A grief-striken Arvasu carries her lifeless body and tries to immolate himself at the fire-alter. A that moment, Lord Indra appears, consoles him and shim,a bo Aravasy : as Lord Sean j pe : Brahma ae Indra to restore Nittilai . life. But the ams Aravasy = pleads Aravasu to instead release him, Lord Indra tolite, kine, Leia of life must roll back if Nittilai is to return Tol Forward for the Brahma Rakshasa to be released.” ——isu seeks freedom from guilt or shame of jy. want to relieve the same life again and 5 s lease the Brahma—Raksaha. He Sacrifice’s his om h Nittilai for the release of the Rakshasa, This noi pleases Lord Indra and he bestows copious rains oe the unseen apparition is a symbol q insecurity, anger jealously and thrust for ower Wie ma-Rakshasa is redempted, we become true virtuous humar- . The play, ‘Fire and the Rain’ revolves around the clash egos, revenge, and measure of knowledge and fragility human nature. Discuss. eat In the play, ‘Fire and the Rain’ the playwright, Girish Kami __ has effectively demonstrated the emotion of. egos, revenge, ose of knowledge and fragility of human nature through his characte Raibhaya, Paravasu, Aravasu Vishaka, Yavakri and Bhardhwal® LASH OF EGOS, a asu , aja’s son, Yavakri nursed § felt that His father didn't While Raibhya hogged the li Sa penance for 10 long yeu nd grants him ‘Universal Knowledges him egostic and arrogant, Though being does not use his knowledge for the good eainst Raibhya’s family as he Tecognition which he deserved A begrudged Yavkari perform: Lord Indra Appears ai vedas, This made enlighteneg man, hep.Com/B.B.A | IIL Semester / Bangalore University ari world, but succumbs to desires and egostic passions. He entices world, Parvasu's wife Vishaka, the daughter-in-law of Raibhya and uses her to propitate his own ulterior motives, Raibhya comes to know of their transgressions and invokes the “Kritya Spirit’ and created a look-alike of his daughter-in-law Vishaka anda Rakshasa to elimante Yavakari, When Vishaka learns that Yavakri had used her for his revenge, she steals the kamandala filled with holy water that would save Yavkari from mortal attack and destroys it. The Rakshasa kills him. The clash of egos kills Yavakri. Similarly , Raibhya is jealous as his son Paravasu, who is appointed as the chief priest of the fire- sacrifice held by the king to appease Lord Indra, the God of rains, to bring rains to the drought engulfed kingdom for more than ten years. Paravasu who had visted home briefly to meet his father, mistook his father for a deer and kills him. Paravasu is afraid of being Prosecuted for patricide and frames Aravasu for the killing and Aravasu loses his position as a priest in the fire-sacrifice, Ego acts a8 a catalyst for the estrangement of friends, brothers and father and sons, which ends in mortal deaths. Misuse of Knowledge: In the play, Raibh: ledge to wreak ve that ya, Bharadwaja and Yavakri misue their ngeance against each other. When Raibhya Yavakri had an unethical liaison with his daughter-in-law beat ee is enraged and summons the krithya-spirit to create a ma ishaka who steals the kamandala filled with holy water _ “ave Yavakri form mortal attack and destroys it, The hig cee by Raibhya corners Yavakri at the entrance of teams Tmitage and kills him with a trident, When Bharadwaja = His son died, he cursed Raibhya would die at the hands« coaiieaRyn ‘Semester of his own son. But when he realizes that he has misused ~ knowledge he makes amendments and aa mmo scelf But later in the play Bharadwaja’s curse becomes ‘Parvasu briefly visits his father, leaving the fire sacrifice a aibhya dressed in deer skin . He mistook the deer skin womb ybea wild deer, and unintentionally kills him. 4 of human-nature ‘play, ‘Fire and the Rain’ is a debate on “Human Fi ‘comment on the issues of human frailities such as of the Brahmin caste, jealously, malice, mistrust, lultery and revenge. Just like the drought raging in th "more than ten years, there is a drouight of values in the © the play. Each has his own frailties. Yavakri is ver Purpose of his penance was to acquire “Supreme destroy the reputation of Raibhya and Paravasu. The Noval IS used to explore man-women relatio carnal instincts and Uses his own de In the beginning Aravasy shows sj igns of arrogance and {a}p.Cortt / B.BJA | HTSemester/ Bangalore University gentle Nittilai doesn’t allow him to stray and give in to human-frailiti Parvasu may be a learned scholar but he is not a good husband to vishaka- He abandons her at his father’s hermitage and immerse himself in the fire-sacrifice for seven long years. Paravasu eliminates his brother Aravasu form the fire-sacrifice by framing him for Raibhya‘s death. 2. Girish Karnad invents the parallel story of Aravsu’s relationship with jnittali and develops ravasu as the thesis of Raibhya Paravasu and Yavakri Elucious date. In the play, ‘Fire and the Rain’ the playwright presents Aravasu s a simple innocent and down-to-earth person. Though he is a earned scholar he is also not bereft of arrogance, ego, jealously, lust r other human frailities, unlike his father Raibhya and his brother, aravasu or Yavakri, he does not misuse his knowledge to gain cognition. Yavakri believes that his father Bahradwaja had been ide-lined by Raibhya and hence did not gain the fame and recognition ue to him. Yavakri feels insecure and tries to avenge his father’s umiliation by reeking, vengeance on the Raibhya family. He hates is uncle Raibhya and cousin Parayasu. He gains ‘Universal owledge’ with the sole purpose to. destroy the Raibhya family. asu, a simple-minded person. He forsakes the status given to rahmins in society and chooses to become an actor witha travelling tors-troupe. He is even ready to forego his caste to marry his lady love Nittali, a tribal girl. Paravasu who had been appointed as the ief-priest of the fire-sacrifice, briefly, returns to his father’s rmitage. In the dark of the night he mistook his father, who was ing deer-skin for a deer and kills him. He leaves the final rights his father to Aravasu and returns to the fire-sacrifice. When {a anaeslates himself at the altar his beloved Nittilai to kill her to avenge their lo immolate himself with s. But lord Indra appears Indra to Testore Nittilai’s - Again Aravasy loses t's father and her husband Aravasu is shattered and tries t body of Nittilai on his shoulder: My stupidity contributed to thi tragedy—fuelled it on. But after all that | have been through, i wiser. I can now Stop the tragedy form Tepeating itself, I can provid® the missing sense to our lives’ The Play ends with the arrival oft Much-awaited rains to quench the thirst of the parched land. Ki e subtly suggests that it does hot Rain because of the seven yeal® “ fire-sacrifice but through Aravasu noble act, his selfless call care for others. Thus Karnad develops Aravasu as the ere ow Raibhya, Paraysy and Yavakri who were selfishly pursued agendas, _ ee = =com p.B.A/ UT Semester / Bangalore University pce what is the significance of fire-sacrifice arranged in the play? In the play. Fire and the Rain’ written by Girish Karnad, the sacrifice 1S a Sy mbol of power and repre fire ents self-gratification. fexamination and self-purification of jealously, envy, power - sel hungty and lust. In Hinduism, yajna or fire-sacrifice means the exchange of energies between two spheres. It is the giving up of something for the sake of something else. ‘Fire’ is also associated to holiness of ritual status and of ceremony. In the play, the fire-sacrifice is held by the king ta appease Lord Indra, the God of Rains and Thunder and to bring rains to the drought stricken land for almost ten years. But Karnad’s real intention of incorporating a fire-sacrifice is to burn the fragilities of the characters in the sacrificial fire by which; it would bring rain to cleanse and purify the characters who had fallen to vices. This transformation is depicted by the release of the Brahma Rakshasa who was in limbo between heaven and earth. If Aravasu had insisted on the restoration of Nittilai’s life, he would have been condemned to a life of abject misery. The play-within- play ‘The Triumph of Indra’, the Indra- Vrittra conflict is juxtaposed with Aravasu- Paravsu conflict. Araysu who has donned the mask of Vrittra suddenly is overtaken by the spirit of Vrittra and demonstrates the anger for the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of Paravasu. He attacks Lord Indra, the role played by the actor-manager but thankfully Nittilai shows,some presence of mind and rips of the mask of Vrittra from Aravasu’s face before any ‘ragedy could happen. Paravasu who was watching the play along With the audience becomes a part of the scene. paravast is guilt "iden and fearful of Josing his reputation and immolates himselfat b ae