Encounter in Umbugland: A Political Intrigue

Abstract

Encounter in Umbugland is essentially a political play.  It unveils the essential nature of the game of politics and also the basic craving for power in human nature.  The play unravels the treacherous political intrigues designed to attain positions of authority and the corruption and hypocricy involved in holding on to them.  The cabinet ministers make princess Vijaya the queen of Umbugland to use her as their pawn, but their anticipations were belied by her diplomacy and autocracy.  This strife for power launches them on an encounter.  And the play is interspersed with the shrewd comments on the nature of politics and on that of politicians, Prannarayan, a man of third sex.