Friday, August 17, 2007

MAHACHAITRA-THE GREAT SPRING

The caste system with its inherent hierarchy and discriminations is negation of democratic society. It has been widely criticized by various social movements at various times in Indian history. A unique response in this regard, rooted in the social reformation inaugurated by Basavanna, the 12th century poet-saint of Karanataka, had far-reaching effect upon the social life of the sub-continent. In his proclamations, Basavanna recognised the worth of human life embedded in the scum of the society and in practice, he rejected the scriptures and rituals that perpetuated the inhuman caste order. The ‘Anubhava Mandapa’ established by him laid the foundations for social democracy and spiritual refinement. People from all sections of the society, irrespective of caste, class and gender have become the ‘saranas’ of this new order and they regularly gathered at Mahamane- Basavanna’s home. Mahamane gave birth to veerashaivite mystics and accomplished poets of both men and women from the cobblers, cowherds, washermen, brahmans, toddy-tappers etc.

Mahachaitra dramatizes the revolutionary upheaval of the ‘saranas’ that shook the bases of the social order controlled by the privileged upper crust of the ruling class under King Bijjala. The play opens with the violent protests of the custodians of traditions against the marriage of a Brahman’s daughter with the son of a cobbler. Bijjala declares it a forbidden marriage that will bring disaster to the society. On the other hand, the followers of the poet-saint celebrate the occasion as the harbinger of a new social order…

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