Crossing to Talikota

ISBN-13: 9780199496150 / Angielski / Miękka / 2019 / 144 str.

Girish Karnad

Opis

The battle of Talikota in 1565 radically altered the contours of the political map of India within a space of a few hours. The Vijayanagara empire, which straddled the whole of South India, collapsed in the face of four minor Sultanates with little resistance, while its capital, one of the most prosperous cities in the world, was plundered, decimated and lay uninhabited for the next few centuries, known to the world outside only as 'the ruins of Hampi'. At thecentre of this cataclysm was 'Aliya' Ramaraya, ambitious, ruthless, brilliant strategist, a son-in-law of the emperor but unacceptable within the royal lineage, generalissimo who ruled the empire without being allowed to step on its throne. The play explores in detail the complex of gender, caste, clanand religious loyalties that brought the various forces together to explode in an unforeseen catastrophe.

A two-act play based on the legendary Battle of Talikota in 1565 and the circumstances leading up to it. Central to the narrative is the story of the power-hungry 'Aliya' Rama Raya, the successful son-in-law of the Vijayanagar emperor Krishna Deva Raya, his overarching ways, and his twisted attempts at political alliances and administrative strategies.

O autorze

Girish Karnad, a playwright, film-maker, and actor, writes in Kannada and has translated his plays into English. The International Theatre Centre of UNESCO, Paris, has declared him the World Theatre Ambassador of the International Theater Institute, Paris. He has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan and was also conferred the prestigious Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi awards. He provided the voice of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, in the audiobook of Kalam's autobiography by Charkha Audiobooks Wings of Fire.