Space, Time and Destiny : An Analysis of The Fire And The Rain

Abstract

The Natyashastra specifies that drama has a role of integration of the three worlds - the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual. Abhinavgupta elaborates it and states that drama should direct one’s mind toward the realization of the Purushartha - dharma, artha, kama and moksha. Similarly, Girish Karnad manifests a unifying purpose (setting, scheme, structure and symbols of the play)- integrating time and space, that contributes to the author’s aim – interpreting the past in order to reform the present which is suffering from social evils like casteism, ages-old and unequal attitude to women, vain knowledge of priestly class with their possessiveness, jealousy, malice, mistrust, competition, treachery, revenge, power-conflict, adultery and their meaningless sacrifice without social concern.