‘Karna’ Play Brings Audience Face-to-Face with Forgotten History

Udaipur, The monthly theatrical evening "Rangshala", organized by the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), witnessed an impactful staging of the play ‘Karna’ on Sunday at the Darpan Auditorium, Shilpgram. The performance, by Mumbai's Karwan Theatre Group, captivated a packed auditorium and earned resounding appreciation from the audience.

WZCC Director Furqan Khan shared that Rangshala is a monthly initiative to showcase quality theatre. The play ‘Karna’, penned by playwright Kulvinder Bakhshish Singh, is the first in a unique women-centric series. Remarkably, the play features only three female artists—Vinita Joshi, Maya Sharma, and Farha—who brought to life over 18 characters with finesse and depth.

‘Karna’ has received wide acclaim, including seven awards from the Maharashtra Government in 2024, including Best Play, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Lighting, Best Costume, and Best Stage Design.

The production team includes Producer Abhishek Narayan, Lighting Designer Chetan Sampat Dhawale, Production Head Mumtaz Ali, Music Operator Bhushan Bhavsar, Costume Designer Apoorva Pandit, and Make-up Artist Noerika Bhatheja.

The Story:

The play explores an often-ignored narrative, presenting Karna—the Mahabharata’s enigmatic character—not just as a tragic figure but as a symbol of endurance, compassion, and inner turmoil. His journey reflects the eternal human conflict between fate and free will, ethics and survival, duty and desire.

The story unfolds as a philosophical and emotional exploration of identity and righteousness, delving deep into Karna’s moral dilemmas while never losing sight of his unwavering commitment to truth and integrity—even at the cost of being misunderstood.

Notably, the play draws its strength from India's traditional performance arts, incorporating forms such as Mayurbhanj Chhau, Manipuri Thang-Ta, and Kerala’s Kalaripayattu, adding aesthetic and cultural richness to the stage.

In conclusion, ‘Karna’ is not just a portrayal of a historical figure, but a mirror reflecting the intricate complexities of the human experience, inviting the audience into introspection, empathy, and sensitivity.

At the event, several dignitaries including WZCC Deputy Director (Programmes) Pawan Amarawat, Assistant Director (Finance & Accounts) Durgesh Chandwani, C.L. Salvi, Hemant Mehta, Rakesh Mehta, and Siddhant Bhatnagar were present. The programme was anchored by Durgesh Chandwani, and all artists were felicitated at the end.