Tughlaq: A Play by Girish Karnad

Girish Karnad's play: Tughlaq

 

In my first year of Graduation, i have studied this first historical novel, Tughlaq by Girish Karnad. It is very long novel to read but it gives us fruitful information about historical events. In this novel writer's main focus on only one character, Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. The reading of novel deals with the personality of Tughlaq, and every time we found the new changes in his personality which is never found before.

• About the Author: Girish Karnad

  Girish Karnad was know as Indian English Writer. He was basically deal with the Kannada Literature. He gives his writing contribution in Kannada Language,  his many works translated into English successfully. Tughlaq is one of his work which is also translated in English language by him. He was genius dramatist. 

  He put various themes into his works like, Mythical, Historical and folk theme. He also aware about the human nature and paradox of human nature, so we identify these features in his works.

  • Tughlaq:

    The second play written by Girish Karnad, in 1964. It is originally written in Kannada language, later on translated into English language by himself. The novel based on the personality of  Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. He was ruled over India in 14th century. The novel is in very controversy when it published. The main theme of the novel is complexity of the character. The character itself in a controversy, because he has two side of personality, Good as well as Bad. 

    He was also known as the man of action rather than man of thinker. In the starting of the novel we see that the complexity into the character,he has a hunger for knowledge. He also referred the knowledge of 'Quran', he was eager to learn something and curious for knowledge. He was also good player of chess. He was also a good reader of Greek, Farcical and Arabic literature.

     We compared Tughlaq's character with Marlow's play, 'Dr. Faustus'. The similarity in both is that, both have lots of knowledge and though they want more. Even they both have quite same personality.  Dr. Faustus has also a tragic end, very similar into the story of Tughlaq he also reach at the tragic end.

    Thank you...