Khushwant Singh’s “Karma” is a beautiful short story that exposes the unexpected result of unfruitful admiration of the main character of the story Mohan Lal. This article is about the dramatization of the story Karma.Â
Project Work on Dramatization of the story Karma
KARMAÂ Â
            BY -Khushwant Singh
About the Story:Â
The story is about a proud anglicized man who loves everything of English – culture, manner, attitude, breeding and hates everything of India and Indians, even his wife. Ultimately he falls a victim of unexpected predicament of his “karma” by the English whom he admires so dearly.
Main Characters:Â Sir Mohan Lal, a vizier and a barrister
Lachmi (Lady Lal), a native wife of Mohan Lal
Other Characters:Â Coolie, Two English Soldiers and a Mirror made in India
Setting of the Story:Â A Railway PlatformÂ
Introduction:Â A background music that bears the sound of dismay is heard. A man is sitting alone in a dim light. A grey light casts on an old patched gloomy mirror. The man moves slowly towards the mirror and faces the mirror. Suddenly he laughs at the mirror with note of humiliation.
Scene:1
Mohan Lal:Â (aside, smiling at the mirror) You are so much like everything else in this country, inefficient, dirty, indifferent!
Mirror: (smiled back) I know you are a bit of all right. You look distinguished, efficient, and also handsome. That neatly-trimmed moustache – the suit from Saville Row with the carnation in the buttonhole – the aroma of eau de cologne, talcum powder and scented soap all about you! Yes, you are a bit of all right.
Mohan Lal:Â (smoothed his Balliol tie) Good bye.Â
Scene:2
Lachmi:Â (shouts) Coolie! Where does the zenana stop?
Coolie:Â Right at the end of the platform.
Lachmi:Â Are the trains very crowded on these lines?
Coolie:Â These days all trains are crowded, but you’ll find room in the zenana.
Lachmi:Â Then I might as well get over the bother of eating.
(opened brass carrier and started eating)
Coolie:Â (politely) Are you traveling alone?
Lachmi:Â No, I am with my master. He is a vizier and a barrister. He meets so many officers and Englishmen in the trains. But I can’t understand English and their ways.
(The signal came down and the clanging of the bell announced the approaching train. Lady Lal hurriedly finishing off her meal and thanked gods for the favour of a filling meal. She produced a two-lane bit from a knot, dismissed the coolie, got into the inter-class zenana compartment and found a seat by the window)Â
Scene:3
The trains arrived with whistle. It did not disturb the calmness of Mohan Lal. He did not like excitement, bustle and hurry which he thought exhibitions of bad breeding. He acquired the manners and attitudes of upper classes and fancied his English, finished and refined at no less a place than the University of Oxford. He was fond of conversation and like a cultured Englishman could talk on almost any subject – books, politics, people.
Sir Mohan plunged into fanciful imagination.
He thought The Times would attract the attention of English people. He thought someone would recognize his Balliol tie that would open vista leading to a dairy-land of Oxford colleges, masters, Don’s, tutors, boat-races and rugger matches. He also thought of Whisky, gold cigarette case, English cigarette that would help him to lead to the old dreamy world of Oxford.
(Dismayed) Sir Mohan found his compartment empty.Â
(Face lit up) He saw out of the window two English soldiers approaching.
(The two English soldiers named Jim and Bill surveyed the compartment and noticed the unoccupied berth)
Jim:Â (shout) Ere, Bill, one ere.
Bill:Â (muttered) Get the bigger out.
( they opened the door and turned to the half smiling, half protesting Sir Mohan.)
Bill:Â (yelled) Reserved!
Jim:Â Ek dum jao.
(They picked up Sir Mohan suitcase, thermos flask, brief case, breeding and The Times and flung them out.)
Mohan Lal: (shout) Preposterous, preposterous. I’Il have you arrested. Guard, guard!
Jim:Â Keep yer ruddy mouth shut! ( struck Sir Mohan flat on the face)
(The engine gave another whistle and the train began to move)
Bill & Jim:Â (pushing Mohan Lal out of the train) Toodle-oo!
Conclusion:
 Sir Mohan feet touched the feet of the Platform. A bright light falls on Lachmi and her diamond nose. The irony of the character of Mohan Lal is shown making him fall on the ground. A music of humiliation and comic laughter.
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