Project on dramatization of Karma

Dramatization of Karma

Indroduction - Karma by Khushwant Singh is a story about Karma phal or reward of one's own deed. Here the author has shown a picture of some educated persons who thought India to be inefficient , dirty , indifferent. They thought their country and country men useless. 

Scene - 1

Satge Preparation

A railway platform. Large pictures or paintings, cardboard models, background music etc should be used to make an atmosphere of a railway platform. A large sofa should be there . There should also be a big mirror.

[Sir Mohan Lal entered and a coolie with some luggage also entered after entering Sir Mohan Lal . Sir Mohan Lal sits on the sofa and the coolie put down the luggage on the floor. Sir Mohan Lal pointed him to go out from there.Sir Mohan Lal is looking around himself and suddenly he noticed a big mirror . He stands up and slowly walks towards the mirror. He stopped in front of the mirror. Smiled a little. ]

Sir Mohan - Hey you , an ordinary Indian mirror......

Mirror - ( from background vocal) - Yes I am.

Sir Mohan - You are so very much like everything else in this country , inefficient , dirty , indifferent.''

Mirror ( from background vocal )- You are a bit of all right, old chap; distinguished, efficient - even handsome - the suit from Saville Row with the carnation in the buttonhole - the aroma of eau de cologne , talcum powder and scented soap all about you! Yes, old fellow , you are a bit of all right.

[ Sir Mohan throw out his chest , smoothed his tie for the umpteenth time and waved a good bye to the mirror. Then he turned back and go to his sofa and sits down. After a moment he glanced at his watch ; looking at the left wing exit.]

Sir Mohan Lal - Koi Hai !

[ After a moment a bearer comes on the stage from the left wing . He stands in front of Sir Mohan ]

Sir Mohan - Ek chota .

[ The bearer leave the stage and comes back within a moment with a glass and a bottle of whiskey. He served whiskey to Sir Mohan . And then he leave the stage again.

Sir Mohan sips the glass and relaxed in his sofa.]

Scene - 2

Stage Preparation

As same as scene 1 ; but the sofa should not be there. Lachmi entered along with a coolie. The coolie has huge number of luggage on his head.

Lachmi - Put down the luggage there ( pointed somewhere ) .

[ The coolie put down all the luggage one by one and finally sit down on the floor. Lachmi also sit down on a steel trunk . She started talking after a few moment.]

Lachmi - Where does the zenana stop ?

The coolie - Right at the end of the platform.

Lachmi - Are the trains very crowded on these lines ?

The coolie - These days all trains are crowded , but you'll find room in the zenana .

Lachmi - Then I might as well get over the bother of eating .

[ Lachmi take out a tiffin carrier from one of her luggage and then she opened her tiffin carrier and take out some chapattis and mango pickle in a plate . Then she started eating . While she is eating the coolie sat opposite her on his haunches , drawing lines in the gravel with his finger.]

The coolie - Are you travelling alone, sister ? 

Lachmi - No, I am with my master, brother.

The coolie- Then , where is he ?

Lachmi - He is in the waiting room . He travels first class. He is a vizier and a barrister, and meets so many officers and Englishmen in the trains - and I am only a native woman . I can't understand English and don't know their ways , so I keep to my zenana inter-class.

The coolie- My God ,I think there is a problem in yours relationship.

Lachmi - I am fond of chatting but I have no one to talk to at home . My husband never have any time to spare for me .  I live in the upper storey of the house and he lives in the ground floor . He does not like my poor illiterate relatives. So they never came in our house. He use to come up to my room in night for a single time and stays for a few minutes  to order me for the next days household affairs in anglicised Hindusthani. So .......these nocturnal visits had , however , borne no fruit.

[ Suddenly clanging of the bell from the background announces the approaching train . Lachmi quickly finishes her meal and get up. She emitted a loud belch, then she starts washing her hands by the water from a water bottle. After washing she starts dried up her mouth and hands with the loose end of her sari .

Scene - 3

As same as the scene 1.

Sir Mohan is sitting in that sofa . A low table is to be add there. On that table there is  bottle of whiskey and a glass. Sir Mohan frequently sipping from the glass.

Sir Mohan - ( drunken voice)  Oh those five years of Oxford ! How happy I was there ! Those five years of grey bags and gowns , of spots blazers and mixed doubles , of dinners at the inns of Court and nights at Piccadilly . Five years of a crowded glorious life. Worth far more than the forty-five years in India with my dirty , vulgar countrymen , the sordid road to success and Lachmi ....... short and fat .... smelling of sweat and raw onions .....ah..... how dirty!

[Suddenly the bearer comes quickly ]

The bearer- Sir the train is arriving.....

Sir Mohan - Ah.....ok ....... take my luggage and install in the first class coupe next to the engine .

[ The bearer collects all luggage one by one and finally go out form there with the luggage.]

Scene 4

Arrange some chairs to make an impression that , this is a railway compartment. Background sound of arrival of a train should be used to make the scene perfect.

[ Lachmi and the coolie are standing in a place when the background sound announces the arrival of the train . Finally the sound stopped just like the stopping of a train.]

The coolie - Hurry up sister.........secure your seat ..... hurry up.....

Lachmi - Ok brother please insert my luggage near my seat.

The coolie- As you wish , now hurry up ...

[ Lachmi walks forward and sits on a chair. The coolie put down the luggage beside her chair.]

Lachmi - Oh ... thank God , finally I am successful in securing a seat . Ok brother take these ( she gave some coin to the coolie)

The coolie  - Ok sister I am leaving now . Wish you a happy journey .

[ The coolie go away from there. Lachmi take out some betal leaf and pours into her mouth and started chewing.]

Scene 5

As same as the scene 4. But now there are some some more chair in the other side of Lachmi's place. In this scene Lachmi is in the one corner of the stage and Sir Mohan is in the other corner of the stage. This particular scene is highlighted only on Sir Mohan.

Sir Mohan - Oh my God , the compartment is totally empty . It is disgusting to travelling alone . But thankfully there are no Indians. I wish to have some Englishmen with my journey . However ( jerks his shoulders)

[ Sir Mohan take his seat and after a moment ]

Sir Mohan - ( joyfully) Who are they ! Wow the two English solders are coming ! How nice! In any way I will invite them. However they are not allowed to travel first class , but who cares , I am Mr Mohan Lal. I will talk to the guard and other railway officials if necessary . 

[ Two English soldiers entered in such a manner that they are searching something]

Soldier 1 - Ere, Bill , one ere.

Soldier 2 - Nice , let's be seated. 

[ Suddenly one of the soldiers noticed Sir Mohan ]

Soldier 1 - Hay Bill here is also an Indian . What an Indian doing here in the first class?

Soldier 2 - Get the nigger out.

[ They come forward towards Sir Mohan ]

Soldier 1 - ( to Sir Mohan ) - Reserved !

Soldier 2 - ( to Sir Mohan ) - Janta - reserved.  Army- Fauj ( pointing himself ).

Soldier 1 - ( to sir Mohan ) - Ek Dum Jao - get out !

[ Sir Mohan stands up, talking in a protesting manner]

Sir Mohan - I say , I say surely..........

[ The two soldiers surprised by hearing English from Sir Mohan. They both come forward , facing audience .]

Soldier 1 - Did you hear , what I did?

Soldier 2 - Yes, but I can't believe that an Indian is talking in Oxford accent ! How is it possible !

Soldier 1 - Don't worry brother , he is not talking English;  we heard wrong because there is a king within us ... ha ha ah ...(laughing loudly)   

[ They turn back to Sir Mohan]

Soldier 1 - How dare you ! You are still here ! Go out , go out from here.

[ Suddenly the 2 nd soldier picked up Sir Mohan's suitcase and flung it onto the front of stage . Then they both take Sir Mohan;s belongings one by one . Sir Mohan very angry .

Sir Mohan - ( Shouting) -Preposterous , preposterous , I will have you arrested - guard , guard !

Soldier 2 - Keep your ruddy mouth shut .

[ Then suddenly 1st soldier struck Sir Mohan flat on the face. Then the sound of the starting of a rail engine and also the sound of whistle are heard. After that, the two soldiers capture Sir Mohan by the arms and throw out him in front of the stage . Sir Mohan started rolling and fall on his bedding and luggage.]

[ From the background the sound of the slowly moving train is heard.]

Soldier 1 - Toodle -oo.

Soldier 2 - Good- bye.( They are making fun of Sir Mohan .)

[ Sir Mohan lost his speech and he stares at the audience for five to ten seconds. The sound of the moving train becomes louder and then suddenly Lachmi , as her mouth bloated with betel saliva , she spat and send a jet of red dribble flying across like a dirt . The sound of moving train more louder. Sir Mohan still stars at the audience. Curtain down slowly.] 

Curtains