Importance of the doll episode in Girish Karnad's Hayavadana.

In "Hayavadana", the dolls are used as a prop by Girish Karnad in order to suggest the inner conflict of the beautiful Padmini. Though in writing this play, Karnad was influenced by the folk theatrical convention, doll-episode is remarkably his own innovation which helps him clarifying to the audience the psychological dilemma of the characters.

           After the transposition of the heads, initially Padmini was very happy with Devadatta's "fabulous brain" and Kapila's "fabulous body", but it doesn't last very long. Devadatta's mind gradually makes Kapila's body accustomed with him. And when Devadatta's body again becomes like a "young girl's", Padimini is again longing for "powerfully built" and "darker" body of Kapila. Even in sleep, she has the dream of Kapila. The dolls' comment is:
    Doll 1: She is dreaming.
    ........
    Doll 1: A man
    Doll 2: But not her husband
    Doll 1: No, someone else.

        Devadatta's gradual change from darker body to the soft one again is conveyed by the dolls' commentary: "His palms! They were so rough once, when he first brought us here. Like a labourers'. But now they are soft - sickly soft - like a young girl's. "

       The doll is also preparing an excuse for Padmini to convince Devadatta to go to the fair and bring new dolls for their child. And when Devadatta goes, Padmini goes to meet Kapila in the "dark forest". The progression of time is also reported by their conversation: Doll 2: Six months - and not a soul has come near us.