TRADITIONAL BEATS: Artistes rehearsing for the SHOT- 2006 in Tirupati on Wednesday.

TIRUPATI: Stage is set for the conduct of the Safdar Hashmi Open Theatre (SHOT-2006), the 17th State-level streetplay festival from Thursday.

The TUDA's Indira grounds in the heart of the town is getting a facelift for the mega cultural event, while performing artistes have started their rehearsal sessions ahead of the programme.

Seasoned artistes from across the State are converging here to perform at the festival.

The three-day fete is conducted by Praja Natya Mandali, in memory of the noted revolutionary artiste Safdar Hashmi, who was brutally killed while he was giving a performance on a Delhi street 17 years ago.

The Mandali has even composed a song in his praise to be sung at the inaugural. The awe-inspiring song `Bhaavi swara Bhasvaranni veliginche surya rasmi Hashmi' immortalises the revolutionary figure. "The event not only provides a forum for airing public grievances and suggest solutions to the common man's woes, but reflects the contemporary political set up and the policies that influence the lives of the poor," Mandali's State secretary R. Ramesh told mediapersons here on Wednesday.

Plays shortlisted

The reception committee convenor and TUDA chairman B. Karunakar Reddy, said that the event would raise voice on issues like dowry harassment, public looting and violence.

Enlightening and heart-rending social plays will be performed by various districts of the Mandali, viz., `Maa Ooru Munchoddu' (Khammam), Thangedu poolu (Warangal), Savaseru Godumalu (Prakasam), Govinda Govinda-2 (Kurnool), Hallabol (EG), Mana Charitra and Veera Telangana (Nalgonda), Manyam maa hakku (Vizag), Manya Viplavam (WG), E kulam needi (Nellore), Komaram Bhim (Adilabad), Sramika veerulu (Hyderabad) and Charakha Thadaakha (Guntur).

The Mandali's State president, P.A. Devi, Telangana freedom fighter K. Krishnamurthy, Director of Culture department, Arja Srikant, LANCO chief VVM Rao and TV and theatre artiste Vinodbala are among those taking part in the festival.

The streetplays will be held from 5 pm to 10 pm everyday.

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