Karimaayi | ಕರಿಮಾಯಿ

Karimaayi, by the Jnanpith laureate Chandrasekhar Kambar is one of Kannada theatre's longest-running plays, originally performed by veteran artiste B Jayashree.

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The play Karimayi is carried in the “Bayalaata” folk form. Karimaayiis the all powerful deity of “Shivaapura” village, where each and every activity is undertaken in her name. The play unfolds with a murder. “Ningu” – the village eunuch, enraged by the illicit relationship between his wife and his father, kills both of them and runs to the village head “Gowda” begging for protection. The Gowda hatches a plan to rescue “Ningu” from the clutches of law. However, “Gudsikara” the newly returned lawyer, does not agree to this plan and lodges a complaint to the police. When the policeman arrives, he finds everything intact and no clue of murder. Thanks to the mastermind of Gowda. The seeds of enmity are thus sown between “Gowda” and “Gudsikara”.  

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Gudsikara becomes responsible for the death of Gowda’s servant. “Dattappa” a village elder and a close confidant of Gowda, wants Gudsikara to relinquish his chairmanship of the panchayat. Gudsikararefuses and challenges them to face election. Meanwhile, Gudsikaraorganizes a play to challenge Gowda. “Chimna” who arrives to act in the play stays back with Gudsikara. “Basavaraju” who is the evil force behind Chimna hatches a plot to dishonour Gowda. Accordingly, Chimna makes a false claim that Gowda has made her pregnant and demands justice. The villagers enraged by the injustice punish Chimnaby banishing her from the village in spite of verdict of the police in her favour. Gowda meets Gudsikara and advises him. Before Gudsikara realizes his mistake, the damage is done. Basavaraja steals the village deity which is in gold and runs away with China. The play ends with the shocked and confused villagers.

Here an effort is made to convey the damages that can be caused by bad influence. Education and modernization, if exercised without being thoughtful, can cause more harm than becoming an advantage.