ಶೂದ್ರ ತಪಸ್ವಿ | Shudra Tapasvi

According to Valmiki Ramayana, Shambuka, a shudra ascetic, was slain by Rama for attempting to perform penance. This act of Shambuka was seen by Rama as violation of dharma as he believed that the bad karma, resulting from this act, caused the death of a Brahmin's son in his kingdom.
In this play, celebrated Kannada poet Kuvempu shows Rama as having to both carry out his duty by punishing Shambuka, and simultaneously protect Shambuka, as a pious and devout sage, from persecution, and thereby turns the story into a critique of Brahminical attitudes and a defense of Rama.