The exploration of masculinity in Girish Karnad’s play Nagamandala

This analysis delves into the complex representation of masculinity in Girish Karnad’s Nagamandala (1988), employing Connell’s concept of hegemonic masculinity alongside Butler’s theory of gender performativity as analytical frameworks. While existing literature has largely focused on Rani’s struggles and acts of defiance (Ghosh, 2018; Khan, 2020), this article shifts the spotlight to the male characters—Appanna and the cobra—and the folkloric context that challenges traditional patriarchal structures. Through a qualitative examination of the text and thematic exploration, the study reveals how Nagamandala critiques and destabilizes dominant notions of masculinity, portraying it as a socially constructed, insecure performance rather than an inherent trait. In this context, masculinity emerges as a battleground of competing narratives rather than a given assumption.