Nagamandala: Play With A Cobra
Nagamandala: Play With A Cobra
Book Brief
Beta46
Play • Fiction
India • Contemporary
1990
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Nagamandala: Play With A Cobra by Girish Karnad explores themes of love, fidelity, and societal roles through a narrative involving a neglected wife, Rani, a mystical cobra, and her indifferent husband, Appanna. Set in a traditional South Indian village, the play uses folklore and symbolism to examine personal transformation and the complexity of human relationships.
Mysterious
Fantastical
Contemplative
Emotional
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
634 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Nagamandala: Play With A Cobra by Girish Karnad is celebrated for its innovative blend of folklore and theater. Critics praise its exploration of gender roles and societal norms, alongside its poetic dialogue and rich symbolism. Some find its narrative complex and challenging to grasp. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and imaginative work that engenders rich discussion.
Who Should Read Nagamandala: Play With A Cobra?
Readers who enjoy Nagamandala: Play With A Cobra by Girish Karnad appreciate mythic storytelling and cultural folklore. Comparable to fans of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez or Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, they seek narratives that blend tradition with imaginative elements.
634 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Nagamandala: Play With A Cobra is based on two folk tales from Karnataka, which Girish Karnad heard from the famous Kannada writer and scholar A.K. Ramanujan.
The play makes significant use of magical realism, blending supernatural elements with the everyday to explore themes like gender roles and societal norms.
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Girish Karnad adapted the play from the oral storytelling tradition, bringing the essence of the Indian folk theater to a wider audience through his unique narrative style.
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46
Play • Fiction
India • Contemporary
1990
Adult
18+ years
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