The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Natya Mandali gives a perfect Shot

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 25, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Natya Mandali gives a perfect Shot

Staff Reporter

Slum dwellers applaud skits on common man's problems

MAKING A SOUND IMPRESSION: A scene from the Telugu adaptation of Safdar Hashmi's popular play, `Halla Bol,' being staged by Praja Natya Mandali members at Addagutta in Secunderabad on Sunday. PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

HYDERABAD: Sitting atop their dwellings, they watched the show. Happiness and a sense of belonging was palpable on their faces as a group of persons showcased the common man's lifestyle through dances and skits.

On Sunday evening, when TV channels dish out best of films and serials, these people were watching the street play at Addagutta slum in Secunderabad. That the magic of folk continues to draw people was evident at `Shot-2005,' the street play festival organised by the city committee of Praja Natya Mandali.

Perhaps, people were drawn towards it as it reflected the reality of life than the dreams shown in films.

The three-hour show had skits highlighting the water problem faced by the common man and the callousness of the authorities and the havoc caused by arrack apart from showcasing the sacrifices made by people for Telangana and against landlords.

The skit on `water wars' had slum dwellers in splits with mandali members rattling funny dialogues and putting up a hilarious act. The mandali vice-president, M. Jagga Raju, said the festival would be organised for two days and artistes from various parts of the city would perform.

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