Why Tughlaq will never stop fascinating theatre lovers

Girish Karnad’s most accomplished play Tughlaq is all set to be staged at Ranga Shankara in the city on September 5 and September 6. The play is often staged in Bangalore and the theatre lovers seem never to have enough of Tughlaq and its intriguing plot.
Tughlaq is a 13-scene play about the turbulent rule of Mohammad Bin Tughlaq. Though it is a historical play, it is also a commentary on contemporary politics.
In the play, the protagonist, Tughlaq, is portrayed as having great ideas and a grand vision, but his reign was an abject failure. He started his rule with great ideals of a unified India, but his degenerated into anarchy and his kingdom.
The play starts with Tughlaq being portrayed as a strict yet respected ruler who has ascended the throne through dubious means. It dramatically highlights the importance of credibility and authenticity for a leader. Two characters, Aziz and Azam, represent a section of people who are clever enough to identify and misuse the loopholes in every law so that they can profit.