Mahachaithra – An Inner View

Abstract

Despite constitutional mandates outlawing discrimination, caste-based exploitation remains endemic in Indian society. This article critiques this systemic failure by examining the 12th-century Vachana movement through the lens of H.S. Shivaprakash’s Kannada play, Mahachaithra. The analysis highlights the movement's rise and tragic fall in Kalyana, questioning the efficacy of leadership—specifically Basavanna’s—in bridging deep-seated caste divides. By exploring themes of cross-cultural conflict, gender oppression, and political power struggles, the author draws parallels between these historical failures and contemporary socio-political realities, arguing that the "roots" of Dalit exploitation remain unaddressed by traditional authority structures.