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• July 31, 2025
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Are you preparing for the UP LT Grade English Literature Exam 2025? Yes! Hmm…have you seen the UP LT Grade English Exam syllabus? Not yet! You can read more about it in our previous blogs. We have also covered how to write descriptive answers in our previous blogs. Do follow our channels for more informative content. In this blog, we will focus on “Hayavadana” by Girish Karnad. We will learn a bit about our famous Indian playwright, Girish Karnad, and then discuss his works before discussing “Hayavadana”.

What do you think? Do you like the structure? Do you need more information? Hmmm…read on.

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Who is Girish Karnad?

Girish Karnad (b.1938-d.2019), was a renowned Kannada playwright, author, actor, film director, a Jnanpith awardee and Padma Bhushan recipient. He was a leading light of the new wave of progressive Hindi movies and radical Kannada art cinema of the 1970s and 1980s.

A versatile author and playwright, he wrote several plays in Kannada and English, namely Yayati, Tughlaq, Hayavadana, Rakshasa Tangadi, Boiled Beans on Toast and Wedding Album. Yayati was written when he was only 23 years old. It is based on the story of King Yayati, one of the ancestors of Pandavas. He composed his plays using history and mythology to depict contemporary social issues. He himself translated his plays into English and some of his plays were translated into several Indian languages and directed by directors like Ebrahim Alkazi, Vijay Mehta and Amal Allanaa.

Literary Understanding of “Hayavadana”

“Hayavadana” is a play by Girish Karnad, which is a part of the UP LT Grade English Exam syllabus. Hence, it is important for you to understand the literary basis of this play. The play explores ideas related to self-understanding, identity, and the connection between the body and the mind. The story focuses on a man named “Hayavadana”, who has the head of a horse due to a curse. He struggles to feel complete and searches for a way to become whole. His two friends, Kapila and Devadutta are central to this story.

Devadatta, an intellectual, and Kapila, his strong and physically capable friend. Both fall in love with Padmini, and their contrasting personalities create emotional and psychological conflict.

A pivotal moment occurs when Devadatta and Kapila accidentally exchange heads, which sets off a deep philosophical dilemma: Is identity determined by the head (mind/intellect) or by the body (physicality)? The absurdity of the situation—rooted in ancient myth—is used by Karnad to delve into serious existential questions.

This head-swap becomes a metaphor for the fragmented human self, revealing that neither the body nor the mind alone can define who we are. The characters struggle with their fractured identities, and in their attempt to achieve completeness, they spiral toward tragedy. Padmini, caught between the mind of one and the body of the other, also embodies the confusion of identity and desire.

Karnad weaves elements of folk theatre, myth, humour, and tragedy to blur the lines between the real and the fantastic. Through the character of Hayavadana, a man with a horse’s head who seeks to become fully human, the theme of incompleteness is further intensified. Ironically, Hayavadana ends up becoming fully animal instead of human, suggesting that wholeness is not only elusive but also perhaps unattainable.

The play raises questions about fate and free will—while some events appear destined, the characters’ choices still have profound consequences. In doing so, Hayavadana challenges the traditional understanding of identity and suggests that the self is fluid, layered, and shaped by both internal consciousness and external form.

Ultimately, the play asks: Can we ever be complete? It offers no easy answers but urges us to embrace the contradictions that make us human.

Did you enjoy reading this summary? Share your experience with us in the comments’ section. Taking guidance for qualifying such exams can help you in the long run. If you are searching for the best coaching for UP LT Grade English, then you can join institutes like Sahitya Classes, led by Prof. Vineet Pandey. Our UP LT Grade English Literature Online Course includes high-quality, high-level lectures, doubt clearing sessions, strategic teaching, complete coverage of literary texts, criticism, theory, and other relevant topics.

Benefits of UP LT Grade English Online Classes

Online learning has revolutionized the educational domain. If you take UP LT Grade English Online Coaching, you can learn at your pace, re-watch lectures whenever possible, receive regular updates on exams, solve mock-tests, test-series to gain the confidence to clear the exam.

Tips to crack the exam

Here’s a list of easy-breezy UP LT Grade English Exam preparation tips:

1. Start early and make it a daily routine.
2. Divide syllabus into small chunks and set weekly targets.
3. Focus on specific literary texts based on the syllabus and attempt for timeline-based preparation.
4. Master your comprehension and grammar skills.
5. Solve previous years’ question papers in a timed manner.
6. Revise every day, prepare flashcards and mindmaps to keep in mind the names of important authors, their literary texts, and others.

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Why Choose Sahitya Classes?

Sahitya Classes is the hub for UP LT Grade English Literature Coaching. With a legacy of producing toppers across UGC-NET, TGT-PGT, and now UP LT Grade, it offers:

• Structured UP LT Grade English Literature Course
• In-depth analysis of each topic
• Expert guidance and motivation
• Full support till the exam

We provide complete UP LT Grade English Literature Notes in PDF format, categorized subject-wise:

• Poetry (Chaucer to Modern Poets)
• Drama (Shakespeare to Postcolonial)
• Prose & Fiction
• Literary Theory & Criticism
• Grammar & Usage

These notes are easy to revise, exam-oriented, and updated according to the latest trends.

Join our online batch for UP LT Grade English and experience:

• Interactive learning
• Concept clarity through real-time examples
• Affordable pricing with EMI options
• Access from mobile, laptop, or tablet

Why wait? Join our UP LT Grade English Literature Batch Online today and start your preparation with the best mentors, most reliable study materials, and guaranteed guidance until success.

Are you ready to crack UP LT Grade English Literature Exam? All you need is the right strategy, expert guidance, and consistent practice. With Sahitya Classes, you’ll not only learn — you’ll master English Literature in a fun and exam-oriented way.

Prepare smart. Study hard. Crack the exam.

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If you are interested in accessing the latest hardcopy and softcopy notes, course syllabus, previous years’ question papers, answer keys, crash courses, Google Drive Course, and wish to receive personal guidance from Prof. Vineet Pandey, please fill out the form!