Karnan (Tamil; 1964)
I vividly remember my history teacher and her inappropriate remark when we covered Indian Civilisation in Form 1. She was explaining Mahabharata, an epic story of a war between two families, Pandavas and Kauravas where Krishna was on the side of the Pandavas. She remarked, “Can you imagine a war where God takes sides?”
Well, the truth is far from that. Well, the truth has so many layers to it that the truth may not appear like the Truth, the real Truth and the only Truth. It may seem wrong or cruel. This is the essence of the lesson all the ancient scriptures are trying to tell us. Everything that happens in life is not all white or black. The Pandavas are not the good guys. Neither are Kauravas epitome of evil. Is it determinism that made a son fight his brothers? Is it the free will of the people around us that decide on daily occurrences? Does one good deed deserves another, is it like a token that we can use as ‘get out of jail’ free card? These are some of the uncertainties of life that are depicted in this movie from the perspective of Karnan, yet another character of many from Mahabharata. It is an extremely philosophical film that may excite those who have reached a certain stature in life and wonder what the heck the journey of life is all about.
With the doyens of South Indian cinemas, Sivaji Ganesan, NT Ramarao, SA Asokan, Muthuraman, in the limelight, this is no short of melodrama. As in any ancient scriptures, the female characters took the backstage. Nevertheless, Savithri, Devika and MV Rajamah made their presence felt.
The story of Mahabharata can go on for eons. Hence, this film only looks at certain events in the life of Karnan. It is also interesting to note there are many overlaps in their stories narrated in these ancient scriptures.
Kundi, a virgin, from the Pandava clan, is impregnated by Lord Surya (Sun God) after a worship. She, a maiden, delivers a Godchild with a celestial armour and congenital earrings of power. To avert subsequent embarrassment, she abandons the child in a vessel by the river, donned in royal regalia and colours. Hold behold, it sounds of a clip from the Bible, of God impregnating virgin, abandonment of baby floating in the river.
The child, who grows up to be Karnan, is brought up by a charioteer, a supposedly a degrading job. Karnan later discovers that his adoptive status and being in the lower strung of society bars him from exhibiting his prowess in arching and combative skills. Even, asking for a hand in marriage to Subarangi is a stumbling block. The only person who gives him credence and respect is his friend, Duryodhana. He makes him a warrior and a ruler. But then, even Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas' son has ulterior motives. He sees Karnan's skills as an asset to win over the Pandavas.
Interestingly, the Lord of the Skies (Indra) who favours the Pandavas hoodwinks Karnan, who can never say no to charity, and cheats him of his celestial armour and congenital ear-rings of power.
As you know, the war between the two cousins started from a dice game. The eldest of the 5 Pandava is an avid gambler loses his kingdom and everything he owned, including his brothers and wife, Draupadi, not once but twice. After returning from an exile of 13 years, the two factions return to the negotiating table. Failing to reach an agreement, war it was.
By then, Kundi already knows the identity of Karnan. Caught in a catch-22 situation, fear of losing her sons on either side, (her five children on Pandava and Karnan on Kauravas), she, with the conniving plan of Krishna (an avatar of Lord Vishnu), make a complex deal with Karnan. That Karnan could not kill any of the five brothers and Karnan could only shoot his magic arrow once at Arjuna.
As the twist of fate had it, Karnan is cheated of his victory. His chariot wheel gets caught in a pot-hole, and his charioteer with attitude abandons ship. Karnan is shot and is mortally wounded. Even at that juncture, Karnan still manages to give alms to a begging Brahmin.
At the end of the movie, during his dying moments, as all family members wail and moan Karnan’s loss, Krishna explains that Arjuna cannot claim personal victory or blame for killing Karnan. The Gods cannot be blamed either for making him kill his brother. It is all an interplay of many activities that decide an occurrence. Arjuna defeated Karnan because Lord Indra took his armour, Kundi got a boon not to fire a second arrow, the chariot should hit a hole (curse by Bhoomadevi), the charioteer should abscond, and Karnan gave away his good deeds. Good deeds (dharma) protect one from harm, as Karnan’s charity almost gave him invincibility.
N.B. There are no good people and bad people. Even the worst of people do the best of things sometimes. And the apparently virtuous of us do have skeletons in our closets. An interesting point, King Dhritarashtra, the blind king of the Kauravas, sired 100 sons and a daughter. His wife, Queen Gandhari sits beside him on the royal throne blindfolded to feel the predicament of a blind person personally.
I vividly remember my history teacher and her inappropriate remark when we covered Indian Civilisation in Form 1. She was explaining Mahabharata, an epic story of a war between two families, Pandavas and Kauravas where Krishna was on the side of the Pandavas. She remarked, “Can you imagine a war where God takes sides?”
Well, the truth is far from that. Well, the truth has so many layers to it that the truth may not appear like the Truth, the real Truth and the only Truth. It may seem wrong or cruel. This is the essence of the lesson all the ancient scriptures are trying to tell us. Everything that happens in life is not all white or black. The Pandavas are not the good guys. Neither are Kauravas epitome of evil. Is it determinism that made a son fight his brothers? Is it the free will of the people around us that decide on daily occurrences? Does one good deed deserves another, is it like a token that we can use as ‘get out of jail’ free card? These are some of the uncertainties of life that are depicted in this movie from the perspective of Karnan, yet another character of many from Mahabharata. It is an extremely philosophical film that may excite those who have reached a certain stature in life and wonder what the heck the journey of life is all about.
With the doyens of South Indian cinemas, Sivaji Ganesan, NT Ramarao, SA Asokan, Muthuraman, in the limelight, this is no short of melodrama. As in any ancient scriptures, the female characters took the backstage. Nevertheless, Savithri, Devika and MV Rajamah made their presence felt.
The story of Mahabharata can go on for eons. Hence, this film only looks at certain events in the life of Karnan. It is also interesting to note there are many overlaps in their stories narrated in these ancient scriptures.
Kundi, a virgin, from the Pandava clan, is impregnated by Lord Surya (Sun God) after a worship. She, a maiden, delivers a Godchild with a celestial armour and congenital earrings of power. To avert subsequent embarrassment, she abandons the child in a vessel by the river, donned in royal regalia and colours. Hold behold, it sounds of a clip from the Bible, of God impregnating virgin, abandonment of baby floating in the river.
Interestingly, the Lord of the Skies (Indra) who favours the Pandavas hoodwinks Karnan, who can never say no to charity, and cheats him of his celestial armour and congenital ear-rings of power.
As you know, the war between the two cousins started from a dice game. The eldest of the 5 Pandava is an avid gambler loses his kingdom and everything he owned, including his brothers and wife, Draupadi, not once but twice. After returning from an exile of 13 years, the two factions return to the negotiating table. Failing to reach an agreement, war it was.
By then, Kundi already knows the identity of Karnan. Caught in a catch-22 situation, fear of losing her sons on either side, (her five children on Pandava and Karnan on Kauravas), she, with the conniving plan of Krishna (an avatar of Lord Vishnu), make a complex deal with Karnan. That Karnan could not kill any of the five brothers and Karnan could only shoot his magic arrow once at Arjuna.
As the twist of fate had it, Karnan is cheated of his victory. His chariot wheel gets caught in a pot-hole, and his charioteer with attitude abandons ship. Karnan is shot and is mortally wounded. Even at that juncture, Karnan still manages to give alms to a begging Brahmin.
At the end of the movie, during his dying moments, as all family members wail and moan Karnan’s loss, Krishna explains that Arjuna cannot claim personal victory or blame for killing Karnan. The Gods cannot be blamed either for making him kill his brother. It is all an interplay of many activities that decide an occurrence. Arjuna defeated Karnan because Lord Indra took his armour, Kundi got a boon not to fire a second arrow, the chariot should hit a hole (curse by Bhoomadevi), the charioteer should abscond, and Karnan gave away his good deeds. Good deeds (dharma) protect one from harm, as Karnan’s charity almost gave him invincibility.
N.B. There are no good people and bad people. Even the worst of people do the best of things sometimes. And the apparently virtuous of us do have skeletons in our closets. An interesting point, King Dhritarashtra, the blind king of the Kauravas, sired 100 sons and a daughter. His wife, Queen Gandhari sits beside him on the royal throne blindfolded to feel the predicament of a blind person personally.
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