Integrated Relationship between Language, Literature and Society in the Work of Girish Karnad

Abstract

Language, literature and society evolve parallel to each other and often at a similar pace. Integration of the three is taken up as a challenge by penmen of all ages. Language is the tool a writer with the objective of exploring, observing and presenting the narratives about sociological issues in delectable form depends upon. Authors and scholars have always strived to capture audiences across the world with enchanting subjects and prodigious treatments. Some of them drew inspiration from ancient scriptures and folklore and presented their narratives in the contemporary forms and styles, while others composed their works adopting the idiom and styles of the fable-mongers of the ancient times. Since literary works of all genres are directed towards people who form audiences, and, society at large. The sociological orientation of literature is unique in its own ways for each writer, as all of them have their own anomalous combinations and permutations of linguistics, themes and expression. Works of Girish Karnad, one of the most celebrated contemporary playwrights abound in existential themes drawn from ancient scriptures and folklore, especially myths and mythology. The dramatist has been immensely successful in crafting them, putting them in the framework of contemporary issues so as to appeal even to new-age theatre-goers with modern outlook. This study is centered around Karnad’s knack for building literary bridges across time and space to establish links between people, through the use of shared symbolism and idiom, with those existing eons apart and not even remotely connected. This is evident in the key works of Karnad, viz, Yayati, Hayavadana, Naga-Mandala, Tuglaq, Broken Images, etc. The existential concerns of protagonists and key characters of these plays, though varied in hues, seem to be drawn from the same spring, and hence possess universal appeal.