Nature, Ecology and Environmental Sustainability in Karnad's Hayavadana And the Fire and The Rain

Abstract

Nature is what we know—

Yet have no art to say—

So impotent Our Wisdom is

To her Simplicity.

-Emily Dickinson

Contemporary literary works enthrall the relationship between literature and the environment. They critique anthropocentric (human-centered) perspectives and emphasize ecological balance and environmental sustainability. Many ancient literatures, such as Indian epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata), Native American oral traditions, and Greek mythology, regard nature as sacred and intertwined with human destiny. Forests, rivers, mountains, and animals are often personified or deified, signifying their ecological and spiritual significance. Karnad, known for weaving Indian myths, folklore, and traditional narratives into modern drama, often uses nature and ecology as vital elements in his works. This paper explores the literary representation of nature and ecology in Girish Karnad's Hayavadana and The Fire and the Rain. Hayavadana and The Fire and the Rain reflect deep cultural, philosophical, and symbolic connections between human existence and the natural world.