Page 287

Ten mythological plays

GUDIPOODI SRIHARI

Yuva Kalavauhini recently staged ten impressive plays



Myth tales A play at the festival.

Yuva Kalavauhini, a theatre organisation serving the field for more than three decades now, has to its credit a number of productions, some of which won acclaim in various theatre festivals including Nandi Natakotsavam. Led by film and stage artiste Y. K.Nageswara Rao, this amateur theatre grew large. One is particularly impressed at the way the Kalavauhini took to historical and biographical themes, getting them written with a touch of authenticity. They have in their bag about 10 full length dramas, a large choice to put on stage . The Kalavauhini aptly closed the year 2007, staging three plays at Telugu University’s NTR theatre, under the caption of Dharma Natkotsavam. ‘Dharma’ stands to symbolize the theme’s content - showing path to dharma. The plays staged were, Sravanakam, Brahma Ratham and Swamy Vivekananda.

Thanks to the efforts put in by the Yuva Kalavauhini, the unit has in its fold more than two dozen artistes and technical units to look after the stage craft, makeup, costumes and lighting. Sramanakam has an interesting plot, first written as a novel by N. Lakshmi Parvati, which was then dramatised by noted playwright Vizai Bhasker. It informs how Buddhism, originally practiced by one only after renunciation of family life, can now be practiced without abandoning it. Siddhartha, after renouncing his family life, attains Gnana (wisdom) under Bodhi tree. When he got back to Kapilavastu he was questioned by all those interested in Buddhism, but were unable to sacrifice their family lives. His own brother’s wife questioned him on this issue. Understanding this, Buddha then added a new branch to his philosophy and called it Sravanakam, that allowed families to adapt to his system, without sacrificing their family lives.

This is, in short, the story of this play, well staged by a good team of artistes. Y. K. Nageswara Rao played the role of Buddha impressively. Chatla Sreeramulu in an important role, K. R. K. Murthy as Rajaguru Kutadanta, N. Lakshmi Narayana as Bheema Datta, Vijayalakshmi in the role of Sundari, who brings change in the mind of Buddha, Prabhavati as Yasodhara and Indira as the queen played important roles.

Brahma Radham written by Kappaganthula Mallikarjuna Rao narrated the story of Nahusha from Mahabharata., who stood as an example of how absolute power corrupts. The story comes to us in a flashback format as narrated by Nahusha, cursed to remain in the form of a python, to Dharmaja. Nahusha, originally a good king, ruling a part of the earth was chosen by sage Bruhaspati to take over the rule of Indra Loka in the absence of Indra for some time. Once Nuhusha accepted the offer and became king there, this absolute power corrupted him. He converted the Sapta Maharshis into slaves and made them carry his palanquin called ‘Dharma Ratham’. He even wanted to take Sachidevi, Indra’s consort, as his queen. These sins culminated his rule and was dethroned and cursed to live as python. And his atonement came when he replied aptly to Dharmaja’s questions, about what ‘Dharma’ was.

Nageswara Rao was in the prime role of Nahusha with Patro playing Dharmaja. D. Tirumaleswara Rao as Indra, T.V.L.N. Sastry as Bruhaspati, K.R.K. Murthy as Agastya, Bhargavi as Sachidev and Dr. G. B. Ramakrishna Sastry gave impressive performances. Swamy Vivekananda is a popular production staged a number of times. It is a biographical story of Vivekananda, from his early life as Narendra to his gaining wisdom under tutelage of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and rechristened as Vivekananda followed by his travels across the country spreading the principles of Hinduism and then ending with his speech in Chicago’s International religious meet formed the content of the play. This was written by P. V. Krishna Murthy. Y. K Nageswara Rao was in the title role of Vivekananda and K. R. K.Murthy played Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who too impressed well with his performance. G. B. Ramakrishna Sastry, Tirumaleswara Rao and Patro donned other important roles.

Surabhi Theater Technicians provided the lighting and magical effects while Baburao was the costume maker for all these plays. Y. V. S. N. Patro directed these productions.