The Characters of Ekalavya and Arjuna

Name:  Nargis I. Saiyad

Paper: Indian Writing in English

Topic: The character sketches of Ekalavya and Arjuna from the play ‘Purpose’ by T.P. Kailasam

Class: M.A.II, Sem.: I

Year: 2012/13

Submitted To,

 Heenaba Zala,

Dept.of English,

Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University.

Bhavnagar.

The Character of Ekalavya and Arjuna

                                                                              Play  : ‘Purpose’

                                                                   Playwright: T.P. Kailasam

·        Introduction :

          Kailasam’s plays have a Uniform technical excellence for this, C.R. Reddy has said,

          “Greater than any writer I have known is Kailasam in dramatic technique.”

          Kailasam tried to high-light something which in original myth was neglected.  

Let’s see how the play Wright made change in original myth and the reason being behind it. To know both the Character, is very important to understand the play deeply.

·        Arjuna :

          In the very beginning of the novel the sum is that in the mid- ground Arjuna is Practicing with how. 

The same itself emphasize Arjuna’s aim of life. He has the aim to become Wold's  number one archer.

He is noble, too. It can be seen when Arjuna Prostrates himself before Bheeshma. Arjuna called his aim as ‘Personal ambition’. In the very young aim, his aim was personal’. It is written line this.

Arjuna : ‘Yes, Taataajee! why, I shall HAVE to remember it, is my personal ambition to be the most famous archer of all time!’

When Bheeshma advises him to love his guru he admits it immediately. So, he goes to Dronacharya to learn himself. He apologizes for his mistake.

Then he understands what Drona wanted to make him understand that why he makes poor Progress.

He understands the ‘KARMA’S’.

One Drona, in frustration tells him.

“YOU POOR SELF-OBSESSED CHILD; YOU WILL THEN REALIZES THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS GOD!”

At that time, overwhelmed by Drona’s outburst, Arjuna shudders in fear.

Arjuna was so boastful that he didn't like that Ekalavya also wanted to become the best archer of the world.

·        Ekalavya :

 The Protagonist of this play is Ekalavya. He is Nishada. He also wants to become the best archer of the world. He always speaks whatever he thinks to be true. He had great esteem. He really likes the technique of Guru Dronacharya but he also recognized Arjuna as a novice. It is written in play like this.

·        Ekalavya :

“……..this MUST BE THE GREAT DRONACHARYA! Who else could in a few moments and with a few words turn a voice into a good archery that boy, Partha, looks a skillful archer already! Why, I am better myself for listening to him and following his words! ”

He was so interested in the archery that he thought that he must not miss a word of Drona. This shows his loves for him aim.

·        Ekalavya :

             “(Sotto Voice) ‘WHAT, HE TOO? What is his reason…..I wonder?

When he heard Drona telling Arjuna that or become the best archer is on his hands. He immediately catchers the words and believes that it is in own hands, perhaps it is in his hands, also.”

He has very good capturing ability.

He already knows that because of his caste, may be Drona will not teach him but he thinks that because of him aim he would have to dare for it.

Here, he knows very well that his aim is very noble. He thinks that his aim can not be noble than Arjuna.

He is very hard-working.

·        Ekalavya :

“I HAVE TRIED HARD EVER SO HARD, SIR, TO LEARN BY MYSELF….BUT IT DOES SEEM NOT POSSIBLE, SIR, TO LEARN ALL BY ONE’S OWN SELF!”

We can see here, he really tries hard to convince Dronacharya to teach him. He is just child when he speaks all these. We can see his child like manner of explaining something to elders.

·        Comparison  and Contrast of these two characters:

The similarity between both the characters is that both want to become the world’s best archer.

Though the aim is same, the purpose for it is different  Arjuna has the personal purpose and Ekalavya’s purpose is to save the animals.

In their childhood, Ekalavya tells Arjuna face to face that Arjuna can not improve it will continue his archery like he is doing at that time.

·        Arjuna :

“(Reiterating what he heard of Ekalavya’s words) The boy Partha will haven improve” (Looking around) who said that?”

Arjuna couldn't bear that.

This shows that Ekalavya is very keen observed. He follows each and every advice of Drona.

He always heaps mother’s advice in mind. So, when Arjuna tells him about his caste. He tells him.

·        Ekalavya :

“(Smiling) “What else? Mother always says that PRIDE IN ONE’S CASTE MORE THAN IN ONE’S POWER TO DO GOOD is the surest sing of a weak head !...”

He never looses his temper in a small matter. When Arjuna teller him that he doesn't like him. He says that it is his fear. In the play, it is written like this.

When Guruji tells him that he is willing to teach but cannot. At that time, he thinks that the all necessary elements for the archery are fulfilled now.

Arjuna has hasty nature.

Ekalavya even gives his thumb to Drona but at the end repents because it became burls in purpose. He did all that in love with Guruji.

·           Conclusion :

Here, Kailasam tried of give justice to Ekalavya’s Character which is not there in original myth. For his art of writing, he had said.

The greatness of art is in Proportion to the greatness, of the characters of the characters that the artist creates.