About The Event
Girish Karnad’s "Agni aur Barkha" is a powerful modern play that intertwines mythology with human emotion, exploring the eternal conflict between duty, desire, jealousy, and sacrifice. Inspired by the "Mahabharata", Karnad reinterprets an ancient legend of a prolonged drought and the desperate attempt to invoke rain through mahayagya.
At the center of the narrative stands Paravasu, a learned Brahmin entrusted with conducting a seven-year-long ritual to please the gods and end the drought. His younger brother, Arvasu, an innocent actor deeply in love with the tribal girl Nittilai, embodies humanity’s emotional and moral struggle. Their father, Raibhya, driven by pride and vengeance, becomes the catalyst for tragedy. Meanwhile, Paravasu’s wife, Vishakha, abandoned for years, seeks solace in Yavakri—the son of Raibhya’s rival—whose return from spiritual exile sets off a chain of betrayal and destruction.
Through this intricate web of devotion, love, and revenge, Karnad masterfully examines the human condition, questioning the price of spiritual duty and the boundaries between divine will and moral choice. The “fire” symbolizes, both - ritual purity and consuming passion, while the “rain” represents healing, forgiveness, and renewal. In a profoundly moving climax, Arvasu’s selfless act restores cosmic harmony and brings long-awaited rain to the barren land.
The play’s impact has been widely recognized for its emotional depth and theatrical brilliance. “The Daily Guardian” described “Agni aur Barkha” as “a classic play by Girish Karnad,” noting that it received immense applause from audiences and allowed them to “re-imagine a mythic tale of power, love, and spiritual sacrifice set against the backdrop of drought and divine intervention.”
Ultimately, “Agni aur Barkha” stands as one of Karnad’s finest works—an enduring reflection on faith, human frailty, and transcendence.
Also, please note, tickets at Rs.500, Rs.350 and Rs.250 available online on bookmyshow.com and at the Programmes desk, IHC.
