Author(s): Dr. G. Dakshayani

Abstract: Girish Karnad’s Nagamandala (1988) occupies a prominent place in modern Indian drama for its critical engagement with patriarchy, gender oppression, and female subjectivity. Drawing upon Kannada folk traditions and oral narratives, Karnad reconstructs the experiences of women trapped within restrictive social institutions, particularly marriage. Through the character of Rani, the play interrogates the silencing of women’s emotions, sexuality, and agency within patriarchal culture. The magical intervention of the Naga not only transforms Rani’s personal life but also symbolically challenges the rigid structures governing female chastity and obedience. By combining folklore, symbolism, and magical realism, Karnad creates a dramatic space where women’s desires are validated and oppressive gender norms are questioned. This article examines how Nagamandala redefines concepts such as fidelity, purity, and marital duty while simultaneously exposing the hypocrisy of patriarchal morality. The study further explores Karnad’s use of folk motifs and narrative multiplicity as tools of feminist resistance. Ultimately, the paper argues that Nagamandala remains a powerful feminist text that continues to resonate in contemporary discussions on gender justice and women’s empowerment in India.

Keywords: Girish Karnad, Nagamandala, Feminist Drama, Patriarchy and Gender Oppression, Women's Agency and Empowerment

Article Info: Received: 27 Apr 2026; Received in revised form: 22 May 2026; Accepted: 25 May 2026; Available online: 30 May 2026

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.113.38