The article's lead section may need to be rewritten.(August 2022) |
Type | Theatre group |
---|---|
Location |
Telugu theatre is Indian theatre in the Telugu language, based in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. [3] Gurajada Apparao wrote the play, Kanyasulkam in 1892, which is often considered the greatest play in the Telugu language. [4] C. Pullaiah is cited as the father of Telugu theatre movement. [5] [6]
Vemuri Gaggaiah was an important member of the Mylavaram Bala Bharathi Nataka Samajam in Mylavaram, Krishna district during 1913–28. Through "Mylavaram Theatre", Gaggaiah became a household name for his mythological roles. [7] Tirupati Venkata Kavulu have dramatised several of the Hindu epics into dramas and plays consisting of singable verses set to perfect meter. Several of their plays, especially pandavodyogavijayalu have been widely known among many drama clubs and audiences across Andhra Pradesh. [8] The Nandi Natakotsavam Awards are awarded every year by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for achievements in Telugu theatre. [3] [9] [10]
Kalyanam Raghuramaiah was a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the Padmashri. He was known for the roles of Krishna or Dushyantha, Bhavanisankar, Narada etc. He performed those roles for about 60 years. He indulged in elaborate raga alapana, based on different ragas while rendering padyams. [13] [14] [15] One of the finest method actors, he had the ability to sing padyams and songs through whistle, by putting his finger in mouth and producing the whistle or flute sound (meaning Eela in Telugu). He has acted in various dramas and gave more than 20,000 stage performances. [4] He was called the "Nightingale of the Stage" by Rabindranath Tagore [13] Balijepalli Lakshmikantam was a dramatist remembered for the masterpiece Harischandra (Satya Harischandriyamu) written in 1924. [16] [17]
Peesapati Narasimha Murty was trained under Kilambi Krishnamacharyulu in 1934 and started his acting career with Rangoon Rowdy in 1938. In 1946, he enacted as Sri Krishna in Pandavodyoga Vijayalu. He won the prize as best Sri Krishna in the "Akhilandhra Pandava Udyoga Vijayalu" competitions held in 1949 at Guntur. [7] Sthanam Narasimha Rao was well known for playing stunning female characters and was a recipient of a Padma Sri Award. His depiction of the Sringara rasa as Satyabhama in Srikrishna tulabharam kept audiences spellbound. Equally enchanting performances in Roshanara, Deva Devi in Vipranarayana and the eponymous Chintamani made his place in Telugu theater permanent. His most memorable acting, however, was as Madhuravani in Gurajada Appa Rao`s comedy Kanyasulkam . Sthanam had over 1,500 performances to his credit. His productions of classics on All India Radio include Kanyasulkam and Ganapati. He acted in Telugu films such as ( Radhakrishna in 1939 and Satyabhama in 1941) and authored a book about his vast acting experience entitled, Natasthanam. He was felicitated in Rangoon and gifted golden crown in 1938. [18] [19]
V. Nagayya was closely connected to Rama Vilasa Sabha, a cultural association in Chittoor. He performed several stage plays, such as Sarangadhara , Viswamithra Chitra Nilayam, Savitri, Bruhannala and Ramadasu, and staged the roles of Telugu saint-poets Pothana , Vemana , Ramadasu , and Tyagaraja . [20] Banda Kanakalingeshwara Rao was a member of Kendriya Sangeet Natak Akademi since 1952 and Andhra Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi since 1957. [13] [14] [15] [19] [21] Gollapudi Maruti Rao's volume of essays on theatre, Telugu Nataka Rangam, was prescribed as a textbook for the Department of Theatre Arts, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (1967). He published two research articles appeared in Andhra Vignana Sarvaswam (Telugu Encyclopedia) 11th volume: "History of the development in 'Thought' and 'Technique' of Telugu Play-writing" and "Amateur Theatre – its origin and growth in relation to the World Amateur Theatre movement. [22] His Telugu play Vandemaataram, the first one in Telugu about the Sino-Indian War, was published by Andhra Pradesh State Information & Public Relations Department, (1963). [22] [23] Aatreya's works on social reform, transformation and universal peace, include his 10 Natakams (plays) and 15 Natikas, [24] [25] which include Bhayam ("Fear"), Viswa Shanti ("Universal Peace"), Kappalu ("Frogs"), Goutama Buddha, Ashoka Samrat, Parivartanam, Edureeta and Tirupati. [26]
Rathna Shekar Reddy is a theatre artist from Telangana, [27] and an alumnus of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. [28] best known for his critically acclaimed theatre productions like Purushotham, Dominic Wesley, Last Wish Baby, Gregor Samsa etc. [29] [30] [31] His body of work includes The Imaginary Invalid, [32] Fiddler on the Roof, [33] Purushotham, Wait Until Dark, [34] The Last Wish Baby. [35] Reddy conducts theatre workshops which run full, [36] produces and directs plays for both Samahaara and institutions like schools, colleges, corporates and others. [37] in which he plays a negative lead, Antha Scene Ledu, [38] lead in the award-winning Naa Bangaaru Thalli [39] and others.
With his performances and his flair for the art, he has touched the hearts of hundreds and can be termed as a person largely responsible for what can only be called as a 'theatre revolution' in the city visible in the last few years. Youngsters in Hyderabad are now able to find a mentor to mould their talent. He has created a platform for them to develop and display their talent. [40] Other theatre groups in the city have recognized the contribution of Samahaara and Rathna Shekar by crediting "the recent surge in audience interest" to him and to Samahaara's annual Hyderabad Theatre Festival "which opened new vistas for drama lovers in the city". [41] Also the continued efforts in educating and training people in theatre has seen a dramatic rise in interest from the audience – "To measure the growth of theatre in Hyderabad, one has to see the workshops at grass root level" say theatre pratictioners in the city and "give credit to Ratna Sekhar Reddy for his initiative". [42]
The group Samahaara under the guidance of Rathna Shekar Reddy is credited with making theatre popular and involving the young crowd in Hyderabad. Their most significant contribution to the Theatre of India, apart from their original productions, has been organizing four editions of The Hyderabad Theatre Festival, namely The Hyderabad Theatre Festival 2009, [43] The Hyderabad Theatre and Short-Film Festival 2010 [44] [45] and the Samahaara Hyderabad Theatre and Rock Music Festival 2011. [46] [47] and the Hyderabad Theatre Festival 2012. The Festival has been instrumental in bringing together the various amateur and professional theatre groups in Hyderabad and improving the quality and scale of the plays. The platform of HTF as it is abbreviated has been a great boost for theatre groups in Hyderabad. [48]
Murali Basa is an alumnus from Department of Theatre Arts, University of Hyderabad. He is a well known theatre Lighting Designer. He was awarded Kandukuri Visishta Puraskaram for the year 2017. He designed for the plays like Macbeth, A straight Proposal, Love ka over Dose, Metro Metro, Rudrama. His contribution to theatre is appreciable. [49] He is currently working as an Assistant Professor Drama at Department of Performing Arts, Assam University.
Chindu bhagavatam or yakshaganam : this is eminent Folk theatre form of Telangana state. there were thousands of scripts written for the performance of chindu. there are two major traditions in chindu Yakshaganam. one is traditional art for the sake of the cast related rituals. and the other one is occasional performances for entertainment. This tradition is being performed by chindu madigas who are dependent cast people of madiga community. chindu madigas plays the cast myths Adi jambapuranam and yellamma katha for the rituals of their cast. for entertainment they play myths folk tales and histarical subjects. chervirala Bhagayya was one of the prominent writer who wrote more than 100 yakshaganas. chindu yellamma gaddam narendar gaddam srinivas shindu shyam aresome of the prominent performers of the chindu yakshaganam. [7] [13] [14] [15] [18] [19]
As it is started from the Padya Natakam, The people of Telugu Theatre used to render the poems for a long time. Plays like 'Satya Harischandra', 'Kurukshetram', 'Gayopaakyanam' are the well known plays. poems like "chelliyo chellako". " Bava eppudu vachiteevo" are used to render by the every common man in every part of the village. The actors used to sing these many more times.
The interesting feature in Telugu theatre is the main roles are cast by two persons and named as "okatava (first)" "rendo (the second)", for example okatava krishnudu (first krishna), rendava krishnudu (second krishna). Most of the performances start at late nights and will continue till early mornings. [19] [21]
Parishat is a traditional Theatre event conducted annually at different places in Andhra Pradesh. It spans about three to four days having a competition of plays for the Parishatnatakam groups spread across the state. The present baseline study reveals that fifty one Parishats were conducted in Andhra Pradesh during the year 2011 and out of them, 41 Parishats have been conducted in coastal region of Andhra Pradesh. Though only 10 Parishats are situated in the other parts of Andhra Pradesh. [19] [21]
After staging the play vyvahara Dharma Bhodhini of veereselingam in 1890, the scenario of Telugu theatre has changed. Most of the writers have been started writings on the socio economical problems raised in the society. They have also written political satires. The comedy play like 'Chintamani" is an all-time favorite of Andhra people. [19] [21]
The other most important feature in the Telugu theatre is "Parishid Play". These Parishid plays have taken place for the improvements in Telugu theatre and lead to a realistic movement rather than the normal epic stories happened before that time. The parishid also established a realistic movement of Telugu theatre. As against the existing tradition of musical plays i.e. padya natakam, it pleaded for socially relevant theatre. To achieve this, it held annual competitions regarded as a touch stone of artistic excellence, insisting that only social or one-act drama within the previous five years was eligible to participate and that women should enact female roles. The time factor of 1hr is also another important factor in these parishid plays. [19] [21]
This is a differient kind of plays written and performed by various plays. major place for these kind is educational institutes like universities and the colleges where the theatre is a part of their education. [19] [21]
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, often referred to by his initials NTR, was an Indian actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, film editor, philanthropist and politician who served as a former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years over three terms. He is regarded as one of the most influential actors of Indian cinema. He starred in over 300 films, predominantly in Telugu cinema, and was referred to as "Viswa Vikhyatha Nata Sarvabhouma". Rao received three National Film Awards for co-producing Thodu Dongalu (1954) and Seetharama Kalyanam (1960) under National Art Theater, Madras, and for directing Varakatnam (1970). In 1968, The Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to Indian cinema. In 2013, Rao was voted as "Greatest Indian Actor of All Time" in a CNN-IBN national poll conducted on the occasion of the Centenary of Indian Cinema.
Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Based in Film Nagar, Hyderabad, Telugu cinema has become the largest film industry in India by box-office revenue as of 2021. Telugu films sold 23.3 crore tickets in 2022, the highest among all Indian film industries. As of 2023, Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of movie screens in India.
The Nandi Awards are the awards that recognise excellence in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, Telugu television, and Lifetime achievements in Indian cinema. Presented annually by the Government of Andhra Pradesh the awards are named after the big granite bull at Lepakshi - a cultural and historical symbol of the Telugu people.
Gollapudi Maruti Rao was an Indian actor, writer and director known for his works in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre and Telugu Literature. Rao acted in over 250 Telugu films in a variety of roles. His noted literary works and plays, like Rendu Rellu Aaru, Patita, Karuninchani Devatalu, Mahanatudu, Kaalam Venakku Tirigindi, Aasayaalaku Sankellu, won numerous State Awards.
Vemuri Gaggayya (1895–1955) was an Indian actor and singer known for his works in Telugu cinema, and Telugu theatre.
Kalyanam Raghuramaiah (1901–1975), popularly known as Eelapata Raghuramaiah, was an Indian actor, and thespian known for his works in Telugu cinema, and Telugu theatre. A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the Padmashri, He was known for the roles of Krishna or Dushyantha, Bhavanisankar, Narada etc. He performed those roles for about 60 years. He indulged in elaborate raga alapana, based on different ragas while rendering padyams.
Nataraja Ramakrishna was an Indian dance guru. He was the chairman of Andhra Pradesh Sangeeta Nataka Academy. He was also a scholar and musicologist who promoted classical dance in Andhra Pradesh and worldwide.
Nandamuri Taraka Ratna was an Indian actor who worked in Telugu cinema. After his debut in Okato Number Kurraadu (2003), he acted in several films as the lead actor and a few as the antagonist. He was a member of the Nandamuri family which is influential in Telugu cinema and politics. Taraka Ratna was also an aspiring politician from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, rooting for the Telugu Desam Party. He died on 18 February 2023 at the age of 39 at Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, following severe health complications.
Rallapalli Venkata Narasimha Rao, popularly known as Rallapalli, was an Indian actor known for his works primarily in Telugu films and television. He won two state Nandi Awards.
Jonnalagadda Venkata Ramana Murthi was an Indian actor known for his works in Telugu cinema, and Telugu drama. Murthi made his film debut with K. B. Tilak's sociopolitical film M.L.A. in 1957. Subsequently, he starred in about one fifty feature films in a variety of roles, and has received the Nandi Natakotsavam Award for Life Achievement in theater and drama.
Mallemala Sundararami Reddy, popularly known as M. S. Reddy and Mallemala, was an Indian film producer, lyricist, and screenwriter in Telugu cinema. Over his career, he produced more than 25 films, several of which received Nandi and National Awards. He penned over 5,000 songs and poems, earning the title "Sahaja Kavi" for his simple and accessible writing style. In recognition of his significant contributions to cinema, he was honoured with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2005.
Samahaara is an Indian theatre group based in Hyderabad. It was founded by two young theatre personalities, the actor-director Rathna Shekar Reddy and the playwright Anjali Parvati Koda. The group began with touring its maiden production, The Crest of the Peacock, an educational play on mathematics across the twin cities to schools and colleges, staging more than 50 shows. Their play Purushotham-He, the Victim of Spiders and Pressure Cookers written by Anjali Parvati Koda has received critical acclaim. The productions include the original plays, Dominic Wesley, written by Koda and directed by the UK-based Stu Denison, Gregor Samsa, Karna and The Last Wish Baby.Unlucky also directed by Denison, Rabindranath Tagore's Post Office, Woody Allen's God, Athol Fugard's The Island, “Acharya Tartuffe”, Hindi adaptation of Moliere’s controversial play ‘Le Tartuffe’, Edward Albee's Zoo Story. The army courtroom Hindi drama Court Martial by Swadesh Deepak has been performed and toured all over India by the group with Rathna Shekar essaying the role of Bikas Rai and has been cited as "gripping","engrossing and pathbreaking" and powerful. Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest was staged by the group and the actors received positive reviews about their "great comic timing".
Dukkipati Madhusudhana Rao was an Indian film producer and screenwriter in Telugu cinema. Throughout his career, he received four National Film Awards and three Nandi Awards for his contributions to the industry. In 1993, he was honoured with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the Andhra Pradesh government for his contributions to Telugu cinema.
Surabhi is a family theatre group based in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The group performs plays based on stories from Hindu mythology and the Puranas.
Kallu (transl. Eyes) is a 1988 Indian Telugu-Language ethnographic drama film based on the lives of five blind people directed by M. V. Raghu, based on Gollapudi Maruti Rao's play with the same name. In 2018, the film celebrated its 30th anniversary by "Mukhi Media" in Hyderabad.
Rathna Shekar Reddy is an Indian actor. He is the co-founder of the prominent Hyderabad-based theatre group Samahaara, along with writer-director Anjali Parvati Koda. He starred in the National Award-winning Telugu film, Na Bangaaru Talli.
Paruchuri Gopala Krishna is an Indian screenwriter, actor, and director known for his works in Telugu cinema. Gopala Krishna is the younger of the Paruchuri brothers, a writing duo in the film industry who have worked on more than 350 Telugu films since 1978.
Bhoomika is an Indian Theatre group based in Hyderabad. It was founded in 1989 by Udaya Bhanu Garikipati. The group began its first production in 1989 with Kaki Bangaram, an adaption of Vijay Tendulkar's Pahije Jathiche. It later produced various original plays as well as adaptations in Telugu, Hindi and Deccani.
Velcheru Narayana Rao is an Indian author, critic, and literary translator. He is a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the Department of South Asian Studies. His work is primarily focused on Telugu literature for which he received the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, the highest honour conferred by Sahitya Akademi, in February 2021.