The_Story_Of_Karnataka

                                                                  

The Story of Karnataka

-Karthik JayRaj

Contents

The Story of Karnataka........................................................................................................... i

SCENE 1............................................................................................................................... 4

SCENE 2.............................................................................................................................. 10

SCENE 3.............................................................................................................................. 12

SCENE 4.............................................................................................................................. 14

SCENE 5.............................................................................................................................. 16

SCENE 6.............................................................................................................................. 19

SCENE 7.............................................................................................................................. 22

SCENE 8.............................................................................................................................. 25

SCENE 9.............................................................................................................................. 28

SCENE 10............................................................................................................................ 30

SCENE 11............................................................................................................................ 32

                             PLAY BEGINS

SCENE 1: Introduction

Characters involved for Scene 1:

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
Foreigner – Mr.Wilson from America	Flower Printed Shirts, Wearing Black/Brown Shorts, Camera hung round his neck,  English Hat on his head,  Shoes with Socks stretched up to his knees.	This Foreigner is on a visit to Karnataka. He is interested in knowing the history of Karnataka.
Software Engineer	Formal wear with Tie, Wearing Spectacles, Laptop in his hands.	This Engineer is busily typing sitting on his chair and typing something on his laptop.
Politician	White Kurtha, White Shoes, Black Goggles	This politician has a very proud attitude. He has an authoritative look.
Politician’s Driver	White Shirt , Black pant, Driver Cap, Shirt is not tucked, Holding a Hand Fan	He is always fanning his Master(Politician)
School Kid	School Dress, Bag, water Bottle around his neck	He is just a playful Kid
Old Lady- “Ponni”	Wearing a old Tattered Saree, Holding a stick in her hand, Walks with  a Hunch Back	She stays in a hut near the river Cauvery

[A Foreigner arrives in Karnataka as a tourist.  He is interested in knowing the history of this Land, while he shoots around Pictures of different monuments and is inquisitive to know whose sculptures these are, To quench his curiosity he asks the passerby  near the sculptures if they can talk about the different statues and tell him the story behind each of them]

Scene Starts: [In the Scene there is an Engineer sitting on a chair with his laptop, Politician and his Driver are standing on one side of the stage and the Driver is fanning the politician. At the end of the stage there is a School Boy swinging his hands.]

Narrator:  Mr.Wilson is an American Tourist who is on a visit to Karnataka. He has read a lot about how “Bangalore” a city in Karnataka which is leading the Software market all over the world. He is curious to know the history of Karnataka.

[Foreigner enters the scene; He is clicking pictures with his Camera.]

Foreigner:-

Wow what a beautiful statue, but who is it? Is he a King? No he must be a Soldier.

Hmmmm….I think I better ask someone.

[Foreigner walks up to the Software engineer.]

Foreigner:-

Hello there, can I talk to you for a minute please?

Software Engineer:-

Yeah, what is it that you want from me? Do you want to know which IT company I work at?

Foreigner:-

No No it’s not that, I have travelled all the way from America and am interested in knowing the history of Karnataka. Can you help me with some details?

Software Engineer:-

Hmmm. I am actually am busy on facebook chatting with a friend of mine. I don’t think I can help you now.

Narrator: The Foreigner is disappointed by the way the IT professional has ignored him. He then finds a man dressed in a white Kurtha with some followers around him, he is a politician and walks up to him.

[Foreigner walks up to the Politician.]

Foreigner:-

Hello there, can I talk to you for a minute please?

Politician:-

Yes Sir, How I help you?

Foreigner:-

I have travelled all the way from America and am interested in knowing the history of Karnataka. Can you help me with some details?

Politician:-

Oh!  Hangaa! I am not know anything about History. Will you Vote for my Party?

Foreigner:-

What? Vote for you? I am not an Indian Citizen. I can’t vote for you

Foreigner:-

Oh ij it. Then I don’t know history. Tata Bye

Narrator: Mr.Wilson is furthermore disappointed by the Politician, surprised that even the governing people of this state cannot help him with the history. He then walks towards the School Kid, thinking that at the least he would have some information on the history of Karnataka.

[Foreigner walks up to the School Kid.]

Foreigner:-

Hello there, can I talk to you for a minute please?

School Kid:-

Yes Uncle

Foreigner:-

I have travelled all the way from America and am interested in knowing the history of Karnataka. Can you help me with some details?

School Kid:-

Hmmm.Hmmm..Hmmm..Hmmmm

Foreigner:-

Oh what happened Kid? Why do you look so confused?

School Kid:-

Actually Uncle. I don’t know anything about the history and all. Can I go home please?

Foreigner:-

Hey Kid wait! Haven’t you been taught all this in school? Don’t you watch T.V?

School Kid:-

Actually Uncle. In School they teach us. But I am usually sleeping Uncle?

Foreigner:-

What ? Why would you do that?

School Kid:-

Actually Uncle. I watch  Power Rangers on  Pogo TV till late night , don’t get the time to sleep. So I sleep in the Class.

Narrator: Mr.Wilson quietly walks away to take rest at a tree besides the river Cauvery. He looks very dejected as no one is ready to tell him the story of Karnataka, and starts to talk to himself blaming the Technology savvy generation of Karnataka who do not even know the very history of their mother land. The foreigner is so tired that falls into deep sleep under the tree next to the river.

While the foreigner rests under the tree with his hat covering his face. Suddenly a voice of a Lady strikes his ears.]

Stranger Old Lady:-

Oh dear Traveler! Oh dear Traveler!

[The Foreigner is shocked to hear this voice and jumps from his sleep]

Foreigner:-

What? Who ? Who is that?

Stranger Old Lady:-

Look around son! I am here

Foreigner:-

Where ? Huh ! Who are you?

Stranger Old Lady:-

My name is Ponni, I stay here in the hut besides the River Cauvery all alone.

Foreigner:-

All Alone! Don’t you have someone to take care of you?

Stranger Old Lady:-

No ! No! Son there are a plenty of people who take care of me.

Foreigner:-

WOW! That’s cool.

Stranger Old Lady:-

What are you doing here my son? Why are you looking so sad and dejected?

Foreigner:-

I have travelled all the way from America and am interested in knowing the history of Karnataka. I could not find a single person to help me out

Stranger Old Lady:-

Oh I see that is the reason for your sadness.

Foreigner :-

Yes Mam. I am totally disappointed because of all that happened today

Stranger Old Lady:-

No Problem, I can tell you the story of Karnataka.

Foreigner :-

WOW that is fantastic.

Stranger Old Lady:-

But at one condition. Only if you agree I will proceed.

Foreigner :-

And what is your condition, do you want some money?

Stranger Old Lady:-

Ha Ha ..Ha Ha.No I am not interested in your money.

Foreigner :-

Oh!. Then what do you want from me?

Stranger Old Lady:-

Nothing!. All I want you is to keep quiet and not ask me any questions till the end of the story.

Foreigner :-

Perfect. Agreed!

Narrator: Mr.Wilson and Ponni sit next to a Tree, and Ponni starts to introduce the different figures in the history of Karnataka who shaped this land.

Stranger Old Lady:-

The first and most prominent dynasty that has played a prominent in shaping this state is the “HoySala Dynasty”

***********************  Scene 1Ends  ***********************

SCENE 2: HoySala Dynasty

Characters involved for Scene 2:

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
Sala	Dressed like a common man of earlier era	Sala is a common man
Jain guru Sudatta	White Attire	Jainism follower
Tiger

Stranger Old Lady:-

There was a young man named Sala who was once guarding his Jain Master Guru Sudatta

Scene 2 Starts

[Sala is sitting next to his Jain Guru Sudatta while he spots a tiger approaching towards this Guru.]

Sala:-

Master there is a Tiger behind you!.

Jain guru Sudatta:-

Oh Sala, please run away from here and save your life.

Sala:-

No Master I shall not leave you in such danger

Please bend down and I shall fight the tiger.

[The guru is forced to move away by Sala, Sala then approaches towards the Tiger. Sala is going round and round along with the tiger]

Sala(Shouts):-

HOY.

[Suddenly Sala spots a wooden Log which he throws at the Tigers Leg. The Tiger is hurt and disappears from the scene]

[Scene Stops and Sala is motionlessly standing in the stage. At this scene Ponni and Mr.Wilson walk towards the stage. Ponni walks round the motionless Sala, while Mr.wilson Looks on]

Stranger Old Lady:-

The Word “Hoy” and the name of this young man ”Sala” make the name “HoySala” and this was the beginning of a new era not just in Karnataka but in the Southern India.

[Mr.Wilson nods his head in agreement with Ponni’s revelations about Hoysala Dynasty]

***********************  Scene 2Ends  ***********************

SCENE 3: - VishnuVardhana and NatyaRani Shanthala

Characters involved for Scene 1:

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
Vishnuvardhana	Kings Dress	He is the king of Hoysala Dynasty
Shanthala	Dress of a Dancer	She is a Dancer and the wife of Vishnuvardhana
3 ministers	Ministers Dress

[King Vishnuvardhana appears on to the stage with a sword in his hands and stands in the middle of the stage. There are a 3 ministers on each side of him.]

Stranger Old Lady:-

Vishnuvardhana's was a Hoysala King through whose expansive military conquests the Hoysala empire achieved the status of a real kingdom.

Vishnuvardhana(Talks to his minister):-

Minister , Can you tell me what is happening in the battle field?

Minister 1(Bends down and replies):-

Great King, The cholas are frightened of us, The Gangas have run away from their  Lands and we have entered the Nila Mountian.

[Minister stands erect and goes back to his position]

Minister 2(Bends down and says):-

Oh Great King, we have captured the Talakad. We have conquered territories from the north of Gangavadi as far as Kolar.

Vishnuvardhana:-

Dear Minister what about the administration of my state?

Minister 3(Bends down and says):-

Great King, according to the great Scholars we are following a well-established and proven methods of administrative functions.

Vishnuvardhana(Praises his minister):-

Great News! Great News! My ministers, I am well impressed with my Army and Administrative activities. Please distribute some sweets to my people. Let us celebrate.

[The conversation Stops now as NatyaRani Shanthala appears on to the stage dancing. The ministers quietly walk away. Only the Queen and King are present on the stage.]

Stranger Old Lady:-

Queen Shanthala is King Vishnuvardhan’s wife and a renowned Bharathanatiyam dancer.

Vishnuvardhana(Talks turns towards his queen):-

Oh my dear queen, you look as beautiful as the goddess of heavens.

[The Queen Shanthala blushes and stands on one side of the Stage.]

Vishnuvardhana:-

You must have heard my ministers tell me about how good we are doing at the battle front.

ShanthalaDevi:-

Yes My Lord , I have heard all of that and am very impressed by the capabilities of my King.

Vishnuvardhana:-

Will you not dance for the king on this happy occasion?

ShanthalaDevi:-

Sure my Lord.

[King Vishnuvardhana caresses his moustache.]

[ShanthalaDevi Does a Bharathanatyam dance to impress her King]

***********************  Scene 3Ends  ***********************

SCENE 4: - VidyaRanya

VidyaRanya is sitting in front of a fire and meditating.

Characters involved for Scene 1:

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
VidyaRanya	Saffron Attire, Saint fashioned, No Sandals Two strings of beads around his neck	VidyaRanya is an ancient Saint
Bhuvaneshwari - Queen of all the worlds	Traditional Goddess Attire	She is the Divine God of all the worlds

[Ponni Introduces VidyaRanya to the foreigner ]

Stranger Old Lady:-

Madhava VidyaRanya was the 12th Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham.

He wrote the famous book Sarva-darsana-sangrahaand the Sanskrit Sloka - Panchadasi.

VidyaRanya (Chants) –

Samudravasane devi 

parvatastanamaoale

vayupatni namastubhyam 

pádasparçam käamasva me

Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi Om

English Version:

                                                                I bow to Mother Earth, the effulgent one, the

wife of Lord Vishnu, who has the ocean as

her garment and mountains as her chest to

forgive me for treading on her with my feet.

[Suddenly from nowhere the Goddess of earth appears and stands in front of VIDYARANYA with a smile on her face.]

Goddess:-

Oh my child , what is it that you remember me for?

Why are you offering this prayer to me?

VidyaRanya  – 

Oh Great mother of this Land , I am blessed to see you in front of my eyes.

I have a request to the Great mother ,

The people of your Land are being attacked from outsiders.

They are frightened by their Atrocities and need your protection.

Goddess:-

Vidyaranya, I am pleased with your concerns for the people of this land.

I am giving you a boon –

You will be the kingmaker to a Dynasty which will last as long as 200 years and protect the innocent people of this land from outsiders.
VidyaRanya  – 

Oh Mother , but where will I find the heir to this unborn kingdom?

Goddess:-

Everything is destined; you will find your way to the right soul.

VidyaRanya  – 

Thank you Great Mother of this Land, thank you.

I shall obey your orders and provide support and advice

to the dynasty that you appoint to save this land

***********************  Scene 4Ends  ***********************

SCENE 5: VidyaRanya and Hakka-Bhukka

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
VidyaRanya	Same Attire
Hakka	Wearing Traditional soldier Dress (Red) with a Sword in this hand Traditional Cap	Hakka is a General for Soldiers
Bukka	Wearing Traditional soldier Dress (Yellow) with a Sword in this hand Traditional Cap	Hakka is a General for Soldiers
4 Soldiers	Traditional Soldier Uniform(While+Blue)

Stranger Old Lady:-

Hakka or Harihara  and Bukka or Bukka Raya  are two of the four brothers born to Bhavana Sangama.

They had been the supporters of the Hoysala Dynasty and had been fighting for Veera Ballala.

They have been fighting the forces of  Alla-ud-din Khilji 

[Scene starts with Hakka - Bukka , Four soldiers standing Still at one corner of the stage. VidyaRanya is at the other corner of the stage standing still. Ponni Leaves the scene and the characters are now allowed to move around.]

[VidyaRanya is walking in the Jungle when he spots two strongly built young men fighting bravely with an army of 4 soldiers,VidyaRanya watches from far. The two men then have killed the four soldiers and are celebrating their victory.]

Hakka  – 

Well done Brother Bukka, we have killed these cruel soldiers who are torturing our innocent people.

Bukka  – 

Yes AnnaHakka, We have indeed taken our revenge today.

Hakka  – 

But Brother Bukka we still have a uphill task left of overthrowing this outsiders from our mother land. We have to plan how we can do that.

Bukka  – 

Yes Anna Hakka, you are right. We must act soon. Else our people will be killed in the hands of outsiders

[VidyaRanya now walks towards the conversing brothers.]

VidyaRanya  – 

Well done brave men of my land , What you have done today is a great feat and I am very happy to have met with two of you.

Hakka-Bukka(together)  – 

Thank you Great Saint.

                May we know who are you?

VidyaRanya(Smiles and answers) – 

I am VidyaRanya and have been in search of the right heirs to the Dynasty that will protect the people of this Land.

Hakka  –

So have you found the right person to follow your noble deeds?

VidyaRanya (Looks at Hakka and bukka) – 

Yes Indeed I have.

Hakka-Bukka(together)  – 

Oh Good news Great Saint. Who are they? And where do they live?

VidyaRanya (Looks at Hakka and bukka) – 

They are right I front of me.

[VidyaRanya now holds the two brothers in his arms.]

Stranger Old Lady:-

Hakka – Bukka  were brave fighters, They regained the Kingdom lost to the Sultans of Delhi. And led their people to a well governed and peaceful lives .Harihara I as the ruler of “whole country between the eastern and the western seas, Harihara I was succeeded by Bukka I who emerged as the most distinguished amongst the five rulers.

[Hakka is sitting in the throne, besides him is his brother Bukka Standing gracefully smiling. There are some ministers in the scene.

And people are worshipping him.]

***********************  Scene 5Ends  ***********************

SCENE 6- Krisna Deva Raya and Tenali Rama Krishna

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
Krisna Deva Raya	Wearing a Kings Dress
Tenali Rama Krishna	Minister’s dress
3 Ministers	Minister’s dress
2 Soldiers	Soldiers Dress

Stranger Old Lady:-

Krishna Deva Raya was an Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire. He is the third ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty. The rule of Krishna Deva Raya marks a period of much military success in Vijayanagar history. Krishna Deva Raya was known to change battle plans abruptly and turn a losing battle into victory. The first decade of his rule was one of long sieges, bloody conquests and victories

Stranger Old Lady:-

Krishna Deva Raya had many intelligent ministers and famous poets in his court, Tenali Raman was one such poet, who was known for his wit and clever answers.

Scene Starts: king Krishna Deva Raya ,Tenali Raman and three other ministers walking to and fro of the stage( for their evening walk in the park). There were a lot of crows around

Krishna Deva Raya  – 

How many crows are there in our country?

Minister 1  – 

It is difficult to say my Lord

Minister 2– 

There are many Crows in our state my Lord, We cannot count them.

Minister 3  – 

Yes I agree with the other minister’s great King, It is indeed impossible to say.

Tenali Raman– 

I know the answer my Lord. If you give me one day’s time I will count them and come back to you.

Minister 1,2,3 – 

What? It is impossible to count the crows in this vast state of Vijayanagara.

Krishna Deva Raya  – 

Yes my ministers are right, It is not possible to count the crows in one day.

Tenali Raman– 

Your Majesty, I shall give you my answer tomorrow.

Krishna Deva Raya  – 

Sure Tenali, I will be eager to know what the count is.

[King and his ministers walk away from the scene.]

[Day 2: King and his ministers walk into the scene.]

Krishna Deva Raya  – 

Dear Tenali, Are you ready with your answer?

Minister 3 – 

Tenali, do not try to outsmart the king, we will not allow it to happen this time.

[Tenali looks at the ministers and smiles]

Tenali Raman– 

Your Majesty, we have about fifteen lakhs, forty thousand and sixty six crows in the state of Vijayanagara.

Minister 1,2,3 – 

What? How can you be so sure, how did you count them?

Krishna Deva Raya  – 

Yes I agree with the other ministers, How can you prove that you are right?

Tenali Raman – 

I can prove it Your Majesty.

Minister 1,2,3 – 

Yes your Majesty, Let him prove his claim, Else we shall punish him at the Majesty’s orders for telling lies.

Tenali Raman– 

Sure Your Majesty. Please listen to my explanation first and then I agree to take up whatever punishment your Majesty has for me.

Krishna Deva Raya(smiles)  – 

Go ahead Tenali

Tenali Raman– 

Your Majesty, I have counted all the crows that belong to the state of Vijayanagara and have arrived at that figure.

Minister 1 – 

Your Majesty, We shall together with the help of some soldiers count the crows and prove Tenali wrong

Krishna Deva Raya(smiles)  – 

Tenali, Shall I order the soldiers to get me the count themselves?

Tenali Raman– 

Sure your Majesty, I am confident of my count and assure you that I am right. But I shall not be held responsible for the crows that have gone on a holiday to the neighboring states or crows that are on a visit to their relative’s homes.

[Hearing this the King and his ministers could not control their laughter and burst out aloud.]

Krishna Deva Raya : Ha Ha Ha…. Ha Ha Ha ….

***********************  Scene 6Ends  ***********************

SCENE 7- Amarashilpi Jakanacharya

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
Amarashilpi Jakanacharya	Sculpture Attire Chisel in his Hand	Great Sculpture
Wife of Amarashilpi Jakanacharya	House wife Attire	Wife of Jakanacharya
Son of Jakanacharya	4-5 year old	Son of Jakanacharya
Dankanacharya	Sculpture Attire Chisel in Hand	Son of Jakanacharya

Stranger Old Lady:- Amarashilpi Jakanacharya was a legendary sculptor credited with building many fine temples for the Kalyani Chalukyas and Hoysalas

[Scene Starts with Jakanacharya doing some Sculpture work. With his wife and Son(4-5 year old) besides him]

Jakanacharya (talking to his wife while Sculpting) – 

Listen! I have to go far off places as the kings have ordered me to make some sculptures for their temples.

Wife (sad voice) – 

But what about me? What about your Son Dankanacharya ?Where do we go?.

Jakanacharya (talking to his wife while Sculpting) – 

Please try to understand I want to be famous and for this I have to travel to places where the Kings want me to. I am sorry. I have to leave.

[Wife Starts weeping. But this does not stop Jakanacharya as he walks away with his tools packed.]

Stranger Old Lady:- Jakanacharya continued to Sculpt away from home never returning back, his son Dankanacharya himself grew up to become a famous sculptor

[Next Scene starts with Jakanacharya having grown old, sculpting on some stones on one side of the stage,

The other side of the stage has  Dankanacharya- - conversing with his mother that he wants to find his father ]

Dankanacharya (talking to his mother while Sculpting) – 

Mother, I want to go in search of my father, Please permit me to do so.

Mother (sad voice) – 

Sure son ,go ahead , I shall not stop you.

[Dankanacharya walks away from home where he finds an old man sculpting on some stones. Dankanacharya looks at the sculpture by this old man and points out a mistake in the sculpture]

Dankanacharya (talking to Jakanacharya) –         

Can I have a look at the sculpture that you are working on?

Jakanacharya (in reply) – 

Yes ! Why not.

Dankanacharya (talking to Jakanacharya) –         

There seems to be a mistake in the statue’s right hand.Don’t you think so?

Jakanacharya (Angry over hearing this) – 

No! Who are you? How dare you pass such a comment on my sculpture?

 I have been sculpting for sculpted for the great kings of “Hoysala” dynasty since the days of my birth.

If what you are telling is right , I am ready to chop off my right hand.

Dankanacharya (Looking Curiously at the old sculptor) – 

Please look closely, the Right hand has only 4 fingers.

Jakanacharya (Angry over hearing this) – 

Let me see. Oh! How could I make such a mistake. You are indeed right!

[Jakanacharya notices indeed the young man was right in a fit of rage he immediately chops his right hand. Though Dankanacharya tries to stop him but in vain.]

Jakanacharya (Starts Weeping) – 

I Left my family to pursue sculpture and look I have made a mistake after years of perfectionism

Dankanacharya  – 

Oh my God! Are you the great sculpture Jakanacharya?

Jakanacharya (Still Weeping) – 

Yes I am the one.

Dankanacharya (still curious over the mistake) – 

Dear Father, I am your son Dankanacharya. I set out in search of you. Where have you been Father?

Jakanacharya (Stops weeping is very happy to see his son) – 

Son! You too are a sculptor. I am so proud of you.

[Scene Ends with the Father holding his son in his arm. ]

***********************  Scene 7Ends  ***********************

SCENE 8– Onake Obavva

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
Obavva	Village Lady attire
Obavva’s husband	Indian Soldier Attire
Hyder Ali	Mughal Kings attire
5 Soldiers of HyderAli	Mughal soldiers attire
Ruler of Chithradurga	King’s attire

Stranger Old Lady:- Obavva  was the woman who stopped the forces of Hyder Ali in entering the fort of Chithradurga single handedly with a Onake in the small kingdom of Chithradurga.

[Scene Starts: Hyder Ali and his forces are walking besides the Fort of Chithradurga when they find a crack hole in the fort. On the other side of the fort is Obavva’s husband guarding the fort]

Day 1:

Hyder Ali (Pointing towards the Crack Hole tells his soldiers) – 

Look there is a hole in the Fort?

Soldiers – 

Yes we see that

Hyder Ali  – 

 We can conquer the fort if we try to get into the fort one by one and kill their soldiers on the other side.

[Hyder Ali’s soldiers promptly agree and decide they will return back next day with more forces]

Day 2:

[At Obavva’s home. Obavva’s husband returns from guarding the Hole in the fort]

Obavva’s husband–

Obavva! Obavva! Where are you?

Can you serve me lunch soon

I have to go back and guard the hole.

Obavva –

Sure my Lord , I will server you quickly

Obavva’s husband–

I have to guard the hole at the fort today?

I need to hurry up you never know if enemies would try to enter through it

Obavva –

My Lord , don’t be worried I can guard the hole till you finish your lunch. Please have your lunch peacefully.

Obavva’s husband–

Thank you my dear wife.

 [Obavva walks towards the hole and stands there looking at the hole. While on the other side Hyder Ali’s soldiers are ready to enter into the fort through the passage.]

Hyder Ali– 

 Come on soldiers lets attack, make your way into the hole

But do it quietly without any noise.

Hyder Ali’s Soldiers– 

 Yes Master as you say

[Hyder Ali’s soldiers take position in a line and one by one try to enter the hole.

Obavva who is sitting on the other side is alarmed by some noise from the passage and decides to investigate, while doing so she hears someone entering the hole. ]

Obavva (talks to herself) – 

                I should not disturb my husband from having lunch. Let me find a weapon so that I can take care of him

[Obavva spots a Onake lying abounded (used to beat Paddy crops) on the side of the passage . And quickly takes position next to the hole. As soon as the first soldier enters the passage and she sees his head peeping out . She hits him hard on his head. Due to the severe blow the Soldier dies. ]

[Obavva pulls the soldier aside, in this manner she kills 100 soldiers single handedly.

Obavva’s husband returns from  Lunch. And sees his wife in a pool of Blood with a pile of dead soldiers next to her. He quickly calls for help. This way Obavva bravely secured the fort from HyderAli’s forces.]

King of Chithradurga((Congratulating Obavva) – 

                Brave Obavva single handedly fought against the enemy soldiers to protect our fort. She deserves to be praised and rewarded. We shall call her “Onake Obavva”

[The King offers her some ornaments and a plate full of sweets]

Obavva  – 

                Thank you for the reward great King

***********************  Scene 8Ends  ***********************

SCENE 9– Rani Chennamma

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
Chennamma girl	Girl Child attire	Small Girl of the age of 5-6
Boy	Boy attire
Rani Chennamma	Medieval Indian Lady Warrior Attire, Sword in Hand(during the war)
Rani Chennama’s Soldiers 2 no	Indian soldiers dress Swords in hands
British General	British Soldiers Attire with Hat on head. Cigar in his hand
British soldiers 2 no	British Soldiers Attire Gun in their hands

Stranger Old Lady:- Rani Chennama was the first woman independence activist of India, she bravely fought against the British.

[Scene Starts with Chennamma as a girl child learning sword fight with a male boy of her age]

[Next Scene Shows grown up Chennamma as a girl being married to Man]

Stranger Old Lady:- Rani Chennamma was married to the ruler of Kittur Mallasarja Desai.

[Next Scene Shows Rani Chennama’s with a baby in her hands]

Stranger Old Lady:- Rani Chennamma gives birth to a baby Boy.

[Next Scene Shows Rani Chennama’s husband dying in a bed]

Stranger Old Lady:- Mallasarja Desai husband of Rani Chennamma dies soon after marriage.

[Next Scene Shows Rani Chennama’s Baby dying in her arms]

Stranger Old Lady:- Rani Chennamma son dies due to an illness.

[Next Scene Shows Rani Chennama’s taking over as the ruler of Kittur]

Stranger Old Lady:- Rani Chennamma now takes over as the ruler of Kittur.

 Soon after she takes over, the British imposes the “Doctrine of Lapse” opposing her rule as she does not have a child of her own.

[British general comes with a piece of paper asking her to give up  “Kittur]

British General  – 

You must give up your throne, You cannot be a Ruler as your husband and son are dead.

Rani Chennamma (confronting) – 

No I will not do that. This is my Land and these are my people.

[British general then comes with two of his Soldiers and attacks Rani Chennamma]

British General (Shouts Angrily)– 

For those who do not obey the British laws, we shall punish them.

Attack! soldiers

Rani Chennamma (Shouting Back) – 

Get out of our country English man.

[The two Indian Soldiers and English soldiers start to fight ]

[Rani Chennamma tries to attack the British General ]

[The British soldiers have guns in their hands and they shoot down the two Indian soldiers at the end of this fight]

***********************  Scene 9Ends  ***********************

SCENE 10– IT Boom in Bangalore

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
Narayan Murthy	Corporate formals Banner in his hand which reads “Infosys”
6 Other Friends of Narayan Murthy	Corporate formals Banner in his hand which reads “Infosys”
2 male Software Engineers	Formal Shirt Pant Tie around the neck Laptop in their hands Company Badge around their neck
2 Female Software Engineers	Indian salwar Company Badge around their neck

Stranger Old Lady:- With the boom in Technology, Software Industry all over the world had been growing at a fast pace. One of the pioneers of Indian Software Industries which gave India the long due recognition in the world map is

            Infosys – Founded by Narayan murthy and Six Friends

[Foreigner who had been listening quietly all this while suddenly jumps into the stage]

Foreigner:-

Yes Yes! I know Infosysthey are very famous in America.

 [Scene Starts: Narayan murthy and 6 other friends are sitting and having lunch together]

Narayan Murthy – 

 Hey Guys, I have a plan,

Since we all know how to write Software Codes

Why don’t we create a company to serve the software needs of this world?

Friend 1 – 

Yes that is a brilliant idea, I am in

[All friends stand up and join Hands with Narayan Murthy.]

Stranger Old Lady:- Infosys is among the few Indian companies that has changed the way the world looks at India.

[The Four software engineers walk on to the screen with their Laptops in hand.]

[Standing in front of them is Narayan Murthy.]

***********************  Scene 10Ends  ***********************

SCENE 11– The End

Character	Appearance	Character Description	Comments
Mr.Wilson	Same
Ponni	Same
Cauvery Matha	Goddess attire

[Stage is empty and slowly Ponni and Mr.Wilson walk on to the stage]

Stranger Old Lady:- And this is the story of Karnataka

Foreigner:-

Wow! That was such a wonderful Narration of the history of Karnataka. I am so thankful to you for narrating that to me. So so Thankful

Stranger Old Lady:-

It is my pleasure.

Foreigner:-

I am going to write a book on the history of Karnataka and gift it to you as a memento once I return from states again.

Stranger Old Lady:-

So are you going to come back Karnataka again.

Foreigner:-

Yes Indeed. After listening to such a beautiful story I would want to return back for sure.

Can you give me your mobile number so that I can contact you? I would like to gift you with the book I write on Karnataka.

Stranger Old Ladysmiles:-

 Ha Ha Ha. I do not have a phone number with me and don’t think I will ever need one.

Foreigner:-

Why ? Why do you say so? Don’t you have people to talk to. Don’t you have any children’s

Stranger Old Ladyturns away:-

Yes I do have Children’s , All the people of Karnataka are my children’s.

[The Foreigner looks puzzled at this answer. The Old Lady keeps walking away from him]

Foreigner:-

Wait Wait where are you going?

Stranger Old Lady:-

To the place Where I belong

[Saying this the Old Lady quietly walks into the river Cauvery, Watching this the Foreigner cries for help!]

Foreigner:-

Don’t do that You will drown and die, I can’t save you I don’t know how t swim.

HELP! HELP! HELP!

[But no one comes to help him, The foreigner begins to cry heavily at the sight of the Old lady walking into the water. After a moment he suddenly hears another voice]

Voice:

Look around Son I am not dead

A beautiful GODDESSstands in front of him. And says that she is none other than “Cauvery Matha” who has seen all generations of mankind grow under her eyes.  And she

Foreigner:-

Who are you Great one, You look so beautiful.

Where is the Kind Lady Ponni?

 Who narrated me the story of Karnataka

Goddess(smiles):

I am Ponni

Foreigner(Shocked at the revelation):-

I cannot believe this

Goddess(smiles):

I am Ponni , Ponni is my name too, I am also known as “Cauvery Matha”.  I am the river Cauvery that quenches the thirst of Karnataka and Feeds the crops and creatures of this beautiful Land.

Goddess(continues):

I too have been saddened by the turn of events that has caused my people of Karnataka follow a more western approach and forget their own culture. But I still believe that the people of Karnataka will come back in my arms turning away the western influence and be proudly called as the “People of Karnataka”.

[Foreigner Bows down and the screen closes with this]

[All the Actors in this play come together at the end one by one in the order of the play and say the following]

“Jay Karnataka”

“Jay Karnataka”

“Jay Karnataka”

***********************  Scene 11Ends  ***********************

PLAY ENDS