About The Event
Pramilarjuniyam is a landmark Kannada adaptation of William Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream, first published in 1896 and regarded as one of the earliest Shakespearean adaptations in Kannada. Written by Srikantesha Gowda, the play brilliantly fuses Shakespeares comic masterpiece with the Mahabharata episode of Pramila and Arjuna, relocating the story into an Indian cultural and mythological setting. As Princess Pramila and Arjuna prepare for their wedding after falling in love on the battlefield, two young couples flee into a magical forest to escape social constraints, where divine intervention by Manmatha and Rati Devi leads to a series of enchanting misunderstandings, romance, and comedy. Alongside them, a troupe of amateur performers rehearses a play, adding further humour to the unfolding events. This contemporary production reimagines the classic through the vibrant traditions of Yakshagana, blending music, dance, poetry, and experimental theatre to celebrate Kannadas rich literary and performing arts heritage.
