The Chronicle of Karna

By
Rizki Pradana

Mahabharata

ACT I
1

Scene 1
One gloomy morning, Kunti is treating Resi
Durwasa. Resi Durwasa sits on one corner of
stage, while Kunti is preparing food for him.
CHORUS
A long time ago when Kunti was stil young,
she was assigned to serve Resi Durwasa,
a resi full of mystical knowledge.
Kunti served Resi Durwasa wholeheartedly.
KUNTI
(Sing)Yes, I am Kunti,
I am the servant of Resi Durwasa.
I am here not for money or for a blessing.
I am here just to serve, not more or less.
RESI DURWASA
(Sing)Yes, she is the one who serves me.
Not because I ask her.
She is here only to help me.
The one whose no power to take care of himself.
CHORUS
Kunti serves wholeheartedly,
serving Durwasa not for money or blessing.
But Kunti is still young.
Full of curiousity.
RESI DURWASA
Oh Kunti, I know you are not hoping for money or
blessing. Thats why I will give you this mantera, a
mantera to ask one of gods to come to you and give
you a child. This is not intended to pay for your
service, its because you deserve this.
KUNTI
Oh, Resi, this is too much for me. I dont think I
deserve this.
RESI DURWASA
There is no too much for a person like you (then walk
away off the stage)
KUNTI
A mantera? hmm... let me try this... is it true that
the mantera could call gods? I want to call Batara
Surya, the god of Sun. (spell the mantera silently)
Then come a very bright light from the sky and
the light stop right next to Kunti and from
light appear a man with a very grande costume.
Kunti looks so surprised.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

2.

BATARA SURYA
Good morning my child. is it you who spelled the
mantera?
KUNTI
Oh my god... the mantera is not a joke.. (confused +
surprised)
(to Batara Surya)
Yes, I am the one who spelled the Mantera. I am sorry
for this. I dont know that the mantera really works.
BATARA SURYA
I do understand, but I also cannot undo the spell.
Because of the spell you have to give a magical birth
of our son.
KUNTI
What do you mean with that? (scared) Our son? but?
BATARA SURYA
Yes, but dont worry, it will not hurt you. and you
will still remain as pure as before.
KUNTI
But, why?
BATARA SURYA
because you spelled the mantera, and no body is able
to undo it. Now, stay calm.
Batara Surya do some poses and dance, while the
lights go to kuntis middle body. And then come
the sound of babys cry.
KUNTI
(Speechless)
Where did the baby come from?
BATARA SURYA
its our son. His name is Karna.
then Batara Surya left Kunti confused with the
baby.
CHORUS
His name is Karna, the son of Surya. Destined to be
Strong, nobody will defeat him. His name is Karna,
The son of Surya. Will be the greatest from nothing
Lights down

3.

Scene 2
Kunti walks around the stage, looks confused,
scared, panic.
CHORUS
Kunti is disappointed, having Karna in her hands.
Kunti is confused. How should she raise Karna without
a father? Kunti is Scared. What will people think
about her? Kunti is panic, really want to get the
child away.
KUNTI
Oh my God, what should I do? I am too young to have
this baby.
Kunti is hallucinating that she hears voices
VOICE1
You are not pure anymore...
VOICE2
you are a bad girl...
VOICE3
whose son is that?
the voices keep telling the same words. Starts
with ow voices and its getting loud and louder
KUNTI
Stop!!!I have to think.... think.... think...
(stop moving around and look around
and her eyes stop on one spot, a
basket)
Oh... okay...
(Get the basket to the centre of the
stage and put the baby and the stuffs
in the basket. She looks at the baby
and starts to cry)
I am sorry my son... I have no choice, I am too
young. I love you. I believe your father up there
will keep his eyes on you...
(Slowly put the basket on the gangga
river)
CHORUS
Oh Karna, the unwanted child. Floating on Gangga
River, not knowing where to go. Do not worry, Surya
will take care of you. Do not cry, strong baby...
the basket is floating on the gangga river,
while Kunti is still standing on the river side,
looking at her baby... When the basket off the
Kuntis sight, a Horse caretakers, find the
basket and pull the basket off the river.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

CHORUS
Someone pulls the basket off the river. Its Adirata,
the horse caretaker. He raises and takes care of the
baby. They call him Basukarna
ADIRATA
(open the basket)
A baby! Radha!! Radha!! Come here... look what Ive
found! the God is answering our prayers...
RADHA
yes, my husband? where do you get that basket?
ADIRATA
it was floating on the river, i pulled it off, and
look...
(take the baby out of the basket)
a baby...
RADHA
(surprised happily)
A baby... oh look, the baby has armors attached.
ADIRATA
how come a baby wearing armors?
RADHA
he must come from a noble family.
ADIRATA
But, how come a noble family leaves the baby in the
basket and let it flow on the river?
RADHA
As what you said before, it is meant for us as the
God answering our prayers.
ADIRATA
alright, lets bring him home.
CHORUS
(start singing when Radha is holding
the baby)
Its Adirata, the horse caretaker. He raises and
takes care of the baby. they call him Basukarna,the
Strong baby with armors
Light down slowly
3

Scene 3
Karna and Adirata has just arrive at Astina,
Adirata continue his journey to the stall, but
Karna is interested to something.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

5.

Pandawa and Kurawa are sitting down listening to

Durna, the teacher. While Karna listening too
but from some place behind the pandawa and
kurawa.
CHORUS
Karna is a very smart young boy, he learn
fast.everyone is his teacher, everything is his
knowledge, Everytime he came to Astina, Karna
listening to Durna, While Durna teach the princes of
Astina.
ADIRATA
Karna, dont go anywhere, stay here, and dont make
any trouble. Ill go to the stall, take care the
horses and then we go home,
KARNA
Okay, dad. Ill wait here.
then Adirata off stage and Karna sits not far
from the princes who are listening to Durna.
DURNA
Arjuna, can you see the light in my hand?
ARJUNA
Yes, my teacher. The light is so bright.
DURNA
How about you Duryudana? Can you see it?
DURYUDANA
Yes, i can see it too, my teacher. But, it has color,
its yellow.
ARJUNA
How come you can see the color?
DURYUDANA
I dont know. It just appeared that way.
DURNA
Enough. Each person has it own talent. Its okay!
Enough for today. You can go back to your castle.
Then the pandawa and kurawa dismissed. Karna go
to Durna and say some words
KARNA
Excuse me, Father. Can i have some words with you?
DURNA
Yes, please.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

6.

KARNA
My name is Karna, ive been listening your lessons
all this time while you were teaching the princes.
DURNA
Thats nice. You can have better education, then.
KARNA
Thank you, father. But i want to be your students.
Learn new knowledge from you.
DURNA
Ehm.... Arent you the son of Adirata the horse man?
KARNA
Yes, I am, father.
DURNA
I am sorry, I cannot be your teacher. According to
the kings rules, I only teach the ksatrias, and you
are not a ksatria.
KARNA
Please, father. Ill be your best student...
DURNA
I am sorry, i cant.
Then Durna leaves. Karna looks disappointed.
CHORUS
Durna didnt approve him as his student
But Karna stil continuing his study silently
Everytime the princes are studying with Durna, karna
always pay attention on them, but he cannot sit too
close.
Scene 4

Karna was practicing his martial arts by

himself, when he heard Durna calls the princes
of Astina for periodic test.
DURNA
Arjuna, Duryudana, stand up. Get on your positions.
The one who grounded first, will lose his positions.
DURYUDANA
Ok, Father.
ARJUNA
I am ready, father.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

7.

DURNA
(Give starts sign)
Lets begin!!!
Arjuna and Duryudana exchange kicks, punches and
some mystical techniques few times.
Unfortunately, Duryudana fells of his stands.
Arjuna is win.
DURNA
Stop!!! Arjuna wins... Duryudana, you have to
practice more on your basic stands.
Suddenly karna interupts Durnas words.
KARNA
I think i will be a better opponent for you prince
Arjuna.
Everybody is surprised...
ARJUNA
Who are, you?
DURNA
He is karna, sons of our horseman.
KARNA
Yes, my name is karna, I am the sons of Adhirata the
horseman. And I think i know how to beat you...
ARJUNA
Oh, a horsemans son dare to challenge me?
Unfortunately i cant accept your challenge. Because
a ksatria cannot beat a sudra like you.
DURNA
Its true, Karna. I dont think Arjuna should accept
your challenge.
DURYUDANA
I think I should say this.
ARJUNA
What?
DURYUDANA
You have to accept his challenge, Arjuna. Because he
is just got promotion from me. He is the prince of
Awangga, now. So, you are equal!
ARJUNA
(Surprised)
What? Are you sure, Duryudana?
Duryudana nod his head.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

8.

ARJUNA
(To Durna)
What do you think, Teacher?
DURNA
Well, hes been watching us all this time, I think he
deserves the chance. Go Arjuna.
ARJUNA
Okay, Father.
(To Karna)
Are you sure, Karna?
KARNA
Why should I hesitate? I am the one who challenge
you.
ARJUNA
OK. Lets bring it on.
Then Arjuna showing his stances... Karna still
stand as he is not ready.
ARJUNA
Hey, are you ready?
KARNA
I am. Why dont you start, now?
Then Karna and Arjuna start the fight. While
they both are fighting, kunti walks in to the
stages.
KUNTI
Oh my God, that young man sparing with Arjuna... Is
he my old lost son? Oh God, the earing? That armors?
That is my sons fighting each other. Oh... But this
is not the right time to uncover this.
After a view minutes, Durna stops the fight. And
he decides that there is no winner. both are the
same strong
DURNA
Stop! Enough! You are the same strong.
Then Duryudana leave the place smiling. And
Arjuna is upset.
DURYUDANA
Karna, lets go! Ill make you officially the ruler
of Awangga. Lets meet my dad, King Destrarata.
KARNA
(Confused)
Are you serious?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

9.

DURYUDANA
You already make me happy, you almost beat Arjuna, if
Durna didnt stop you immediately.
KARNA
Oh well. Okay, then.
Then the left the place together.
When the stage is empty, Kunti walks to the
centre of the stage.
KUNTI
My eldest son, is with Duryudana, what should i do? I
sense something bad will happen in the future... Oh
god, please watch over my son.
CHORUS
Kunti feels guilty, again
Kunti is worried of Karna
Lights off
Scene 5

Lights up on a Resi who practicing archery with

other young resi. On the other side of the
stage, Karna watch how Parasurama teach the
student.
PARASURAMA
(To his student)
See the target, take a deep breath, hold and release
the arrow!
STUDENT
Like this...?
(He missed the shot)
PARASURAMA
No... No... No... You were to much moving... You have
to hold your breath... Focus... And release the
arrow...
STUDENT
I did exactly like you said.
Suddenly, Karna interrupt the discussion.
KARNA
I am sorry, maybe because you were not aiming it
well... Your hand is shaky ...
(Pull the students hand)
See...? Your hand is trembling...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

10.

PARASURAMA
Ehhmmmm...(clearing his throat) who are you? How dare
you interrupt me?
KARNA
(Kneel and begging)
I am sorry, father. My name is Karna from Awangga, I
am here to learn archery from the best archer in the
world, You. Would you take me as your student?
PARASURAMA
No. Ive promised my self not to take student from
the ksatria. I am sorry... But i cant...
KARNA
Please, Father, ill use it for the sakes of
humanity. To defend the weaks...
PARASURAMA
No. I wont take you as my student. Now, go!
KARNA
Why, father? Why wont you take me as your student? I
am a good man.
PARASURAMA
Yes, now you are. But I will never know what happen
in the future. Peoples change.
KARNA
Ehm... Ok, father. I understand
(Then karna walks away from the Resi)
I need to find a way to become his students...
(Karna walks off the stage and back
with resi outfit)
He will accept me...
(Walks to parasurama)
Oo father, i am a resi from the border of Astina. I
want to learn archery to a well-known Resi named
Parasurama. I want to protect my temple from badguys.
Do you know where i can find him?
PARASURAMA
Yes. I know him.
KARNA
Where can i find him?
PARASURAMA
Youre looking at him.
Karna kneeldown and perform a salutation
KARNA
I am sorry, father...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

11.

PARASURAMA
Its okay. Get up. What makes you come and really
want to learn archery? Is it true that your temple
need protections?
KARNA
Yes, it is true... That is why i came here... To
learn the archery...
PARASURAMA
What can you do if you have the skill? How do you
think it can protect you?
KARNA
Ill teach all the young resi the archery. So that
they can defend the temple from the badguys.
PARASURAMA
are you sure with that? do you think by teaching the
archery to the young resi will be a goo solutions?
KARNA
I think so, Father... with that i can manage a
security guard from the young resi.
PARASURAMA
OK, then. Get those bow and arrows, then join the
others. lets start immediately.
Then Karna follow every movement and every
instruction from Parasurama
PARASURAMA
(Sing)
Relax everyone, now lets start
On your stance...
get your arrow...
put it on the bow...
bows up and pull the arrow...
Focus and aim on the target...
Hold your breath...
release the arrow..,
everyone follow the instructions the pupils of
parasurama are dancing..
The dancing will symbolize the progress of
learning of the pupils, including Karna. when
the dance stop it will be the end of Karna
learning process with parasurama