Between Tradition and
Modernity: A Cultural Critique of Desire, Duty, and Identity
in Girish Karnad's Yayati
Santoshkumar Mathapati¹, Subhamoy Kar²
ABSTRACT
Girish Karnad’s Yayati reinterprets the
mythological narrative from the Mahabharata to examine the tensions
between traditional values and modern concerns. This paper seeks to
analyze the manner in which Karnad resolves the issues related to
the conflict between desire, duty, and identity in order to unravel
the cultural nuances involved in such choices. Additionally, it
looks at the dynamics between patriarchy, hierarchy, moral
obligation, inter-generational conflicts and the repercussions of
indulgence of unbridled desire. Through the characters of Yayati,
Pooru, Devayani, and Sharmishtha, Karnad explores the nature of the
conflict between aspirations and duties in order to demonstrate the
conflict between personal freedom and inherited obligation. The
method involves a critical reading of the play along with
contextualization of Indian myths and culture. The complexity of the
theme and maturity of the characters make it possible to analyze the
issue of desire in the context of society and family.
Keywords: Girish Karnad, Yayati, Theatre, Myth, Culture, Modernity,
Tradition.
