Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent figure in the Indian freedom movement. He was a leader of the Indian National Congress, an ardent champion of non-violence and an inspiration to millions of people. But he was also an avid theatre-goer, and he was particularly fond of a play called "The King and the Cobweb". He is reported to have seen it many times.
The King and the Cobweb: A Play by B.V. Karanth
The King and the Cobweb is a play written by the celebrated Kannada language playwright B.V. Karanth and first staged in 1948. The play is set in a small village in South India, and it tells the story of a poor farmer whose crops have failed due to a severe drought. As the farmer's desperation increases, a mysterious cobweb appears in his house. The cobweb, it is said, has magical powers and will bring good luck to the farmer if he follows a set of rules.
The play is a parable about the power of faith and the importance of following one's conscience, even in the face of adversity. The main theme of the play is that a person should never give up hope, no matter how difficult the situation. The play emphasizes the idea of divine intervention in human affairs, and how hope can be found even in the darkest of times.
Why Did Mahatma Gandhi Like this Play?
Mahatma Gandhi was a great admirer of the play The King and the Cobweb. He saw it many times, and spoke of it in glowing terms. He appreciated the play's simple yet powerful story, and he was particularly impressed by the way it explored the idea of faith and divine intervention.
Gandhi was also drawn to the play's moral message. He believed that it was important to have faith in oneself and to never give up in the face of adversity. He was also a strong advocate for non-violence and he believed that the play showed that even in the most desperate of circumstances, violence was not the only solution.
Gandhi's Influence on the Play
Gandhi's admiration for the play was such that he even had a hand in its production. He personally recommended the playwright B.V. Karanth to the director of the National School of Drama, and he also wrote a letter of recommendation for the play.
Gandhi's influence was also evident in the play itself. He was a strong advocate for non-violence, and Karanth changed an ending of the play to reflect this. In the original version, the farmer turns to violence to end the drought, but in the revised version, the farmer relies on faith and patience to see him through.
The Legacy of The King and the Cobweb
The King and the Cobweb has become a classic of Indian drama, and it has been performed all over the world. It is widely studied in schools and colleges, and it is seen as an important work of literature.
The play has also had a lasting impact on Indian culture. It is seen as a powerful parable about the power of faith and the importance of following one's conscience, even in the face of adversity. These values have been embraced by the Indian people, and they remain as relevant today as they ever were.
Conclusion
The King and the Cobweb is an important play that has had a lasting impact on Indian culture. It has been performed all over the world, studied in schools and colleges, and embraced by the Indian people. Mahatma Gandhi was a great admirer of the play, and he had a hand in its production. He was also instrumental in spreading the moral message of the play, which is that faith and patience can see us through even the most difficult of circumstances.
