The Visions of a Visionary—Girish Karnard’s Play The Dreams of Tipu Sultan

Indian playwright Girish Karnad seeks to challenge the conventional historical portrayal of Tipu Sultan in his play Dreams of Tipu Sultan by emphasizing Tipu’s personal and psychological experiences. As a pioneering playwright known for blending diverse theatrical styles, Karnad integrates real historical events with creative storytelling to present Tipu Sultan as a complex figure deserving of both respect and empathy. The play begins not with the central character of Tipu Sultan, but with two historians, Mysorian Kirmani and the British Colin Mackenzie. These historians serve as a lens through which the audience can explore and question the traditional narratives surrounding Tipu Sultan’s life and reign. They raise important inquiries about the authenticity of historical accounts and traditional narratives and encourage a more nuanced understanding of Tipu Sultan’s motivations, relationships, and inner world. By delving into the personal and psychological experiences of Tipu Sultan, Karnad invites us to question and reevaluate our understanding of history, new historicism, and the human portrayal of the historical figure Tipu Sultan.