Page 208 - DENG503_INDIAN_WRITINGS_IN_LITERATURE

Indian Writings in Literature

Notes In Hindu tradition the intersection of two triangles, one pointing upwards and another one pointing
downwards, indicates the union of the male and female principles, that is, the union between
Shiva (the Supreme Consciousness) and Shakti (the Creative Force), Finally, a third triangle can be
visualized, inside the other two, to represent the three endings that the play offers.
Furthermore, by taking into account the setting and structure of the play as well as the different
narrative levels and the symbolism in each one of the stories, we can comprehend the whole play
as a complete mandala in graphic form. A mandala, we remember, imposes order over chaos and
leads, by means of concentric geometric figures, to a centre and resolution (Cirlot 1962:192).

1
2
3
4a

4c

4b

Graphic representation of the play Nâgmandla

1. Square, Base of the ruined temple
2. First circle, Ring of the Flames
3. Second circle. Acoustic wave of the song
4. (a) Upward triangle: Kurudavva-Rani-Appana
(b) Downward triangle: Appana-Rani-Cobra
(c) Inner triangle: The triple ending of the play
This graphic mandala represents the four different narrative levels of the play, starting from the
outside. The outer square represents the base of the ruined temple. The first circle stands for the
Flames of the second narrative level who form a “circle of fire”. In that circle, there is another one
that represents the acoustic wave of the song, materialized in a sari wrapped around the beautiful
woman who is the personification of the Story of the third narrative level. Finally, in the centre we
see the three triangles previously described. The square, the circles, and the triangles are geometric
figures which complement each other and lead to the required balance of the centrifugal and
centripetal forces of a mandala. Furthermore, if we imagine this mandala as three dimensional,
then we can see that, as the performance progresses, Karnad is symbolically reconstructing the
ruined Indian temple.

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