Like the dramatists of the Sanskrit classic period, G V Krishnarao (GVK), taking the episode of Vy-asa’s exile from Kasi from the epic, Kasi Khand amu of Srinatha1 and tempering it with his reasoning and questioning mind, coupled with his understanding of ‘dialectical materialism’ wrote a Telugu playlet of three acts in the year 1938 unraveling many layers of human understanding and emotions. As stated by the author himself, the playlet was written while he was undergoing the frustration of not being able to secure an employment immediately after his graduation and the resulting hunger pangs. Obviously, the anger and frustration of the author at his inability to secure a job and stand on his own feet, that too, at that formative phase of his life—hardly 24 years old—well reflects in the play. Acclaiming it as an aesthetically scripted warning to the social system that if material needs are not fulfilled, there would be no room for other values, Hitasri (1997) stated that the play was translated into all Indian languages and was broadcasted as a national play by All India Radio.

English Studies Journal, Bikshapatra, Telugu Playlet, Critiquing, G V Krishnarao (GVK), Vy-asa’s, Vy-asa’s mano-sthirya, Marxist Perspective .