2. Broken Images - Drama - Class 12 - Kaleidoscope

Jul 12
4 min read

Author: Girish Karnad

Textbook: Kaleidoscope

Genre: Drama / Monologue / Psychological Play

Summary

“Broken Images” is a one-act play set in a TV studio, exploring the internal conflict of a writer, Manjula Nayak, who gains international acclaim after publishing her first English novel. The play begins with her delivering a TV monologue about her transition from writing in Kannada to English. After the broadcast, her own televised image comes to life and begins a piercing interrogation. This surreal conversation between Manjula and her image uncovers layers of guilt, jealousy, and repressed truths — especially her relationship with her late disabled sister Malini and her husband Pramod. Through this dramatic self-confrontation, the play examines deeper issues such as linguistic identity, personal betrayal, authenticity in art, and the politics of language in India. It ends with unresolved tension, leaving the audience questioning the boundary between reality and self-projection.

Character Sketch

Manjula Nayak

A confident and celebrated Kannada writer-turned-English novelist, Manjula is outwardly composed but internally fractured. She claims love and sympathy for her disabled sister and appreciation for her husband's support, yet her televised image exposes insecurities, suppressed envy, and emotional complexities. She symbolizes the duality of creative personas — the public figure versus private conscience.

Themes

Theme	Description
Language and Identity	The play explores the conflict between regional languages and English in Indian literary culture.
Inner Conflict and Guilt	Manjula’s internal turmoil is reflected in her dialogue with her own image.
Bilingualism and Betrayal	The question of whether writing in English betrays one's mother tongue is central.
Fame, Creativity, and Jealousy	The emotional cost of success, sibling rivalry, and personal ambition are all revealed.
Reality vs Illusion	The dramatic technique of the image forces the audience to question what is real.

✨ Literary Devices

Device	Example / Description
Monologue	The play begins as a televised speech delivered by Manjula to the audience.
Imagery	Use of visual setting — TV screens, lights, and virtual presence.
Metaphor	The title “Broken Images” symbolizes fragmented identity and divided self.
Irony	Manjula’s public image contrasts with her inner guilt and unresolved emotions.
Symbolism	The image on the screen symbolizes conscience and self-judgment.

Title Justification

The title Broken Images refers to the fractured self of the protagonist, Manjula Nayak, who must confront her internal contradictions. Her self-image, both literally on the screen and figuratively in her mind, is not whole. The play deals with how identity, memory, guilt, and public persona are often at odds. The metaphor of ‘broken images’ effectively captures this psychological fragmentation.

One-Mark Question

Why did Manjula write her novel in English?
→ Manjula wrote in English because the story "burst out" in that language unexpectedly. It was not a planned betrayal of Kannada.
What illness did Manjula’s sister suffer from?
→ Malini had meningomyelocele, a condition that left her paralyzed below the waist and confined to a wheelchair.
What role did Pramod Murty play in Manjula’s life?
→ Pramod, her husband, emotionally supported her during her transition to English writing and through her grief.
How is the play a dialogue if it begins as a monologue?
→ After the speech ends, Manjula’s televised image begins to question her, turning it into a psychological dialogue.
Why does Manjula feel betrayed by intellectuals?
→ She feels hurt because her mentors and peers criticized her choice to write in English instead of celebrating her success.

Three-Mark Questions

Discuss the conflict between regional languages and English as shown in the play.
→ The play reflects the politics of language in India, where English is often seen as elitist or a betrayal of local languages. Manjula is accused of writing in English for fame and money. However, she defends her choice, asserting that the story emerged naturally in English. This reveals the pressure artists face when navigating bilingual identities.
How does the play portray Manjula’s relationship with her sister Malini?
→ Manjula publicly expresses deep love and admiration for her disabled sister. However, her inner dialogue reveals jealousy and the feeling of being neglected in childhood. The image accuses her of using her sister’s story for success, raising questions about the authenticity of her affection and her creative choices.
Why is the televised image central to the structure of the play?
→ The image functions as a dramatic device symbolizing Manjula’s inner conscience. It challenges her public narrative and reveals hidden truths. This interaction adds psychological depth to the monologue and transforms the play into a confrontation with self, making the title Broken Images deeply symbolic.

Value-Based Question

Q: What moral lesson does the play Broken Images teach about identity and honesty?

A: The play teaches that success can come with internal conflict, and we must confront our true selves honestly. Manjula’s conversation with her image reminds us that fame may mask guilt or unresolved emotions. The lesson is to stay true to one’s values and be aware of how ambition can distort our relationships and self-image.

End

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