Ode to Andhra
W. CHANDRAKANTH
|
A refreshing tribute that encompasses Telugu life, literature and art will be showcased at the `Pravas Bharati' meet.
|
PHOTO: SATISH.H.
VISUAL FEAST Dancers rehearsing for the dance-drama "Telugu Vaibhavam" at Lalitha Thoranam.
Srisailam, Kaaleswaram, Daakshaaramamula naduma sanaathanamuga undhi Ee Telugu/ Saatavahanulu, Ikshvaakulu...Kaakatiyulu, Jaayapasenani..
It goes on , tracing the root and the evolution of the language, culture, tradition, arts, philosophy and civilisation of Telugus. A new tribute to the Telugu culture and all those who enriched it, is born. Long ago, one Maa Telugu Talliki Mallepoodanda of Shankarambaadi Sundarachari brought out the glory of the land in all its richness to etch it permanently in the memory of the people (Tanguturi Suryakumari's immortal contribution is not being discounted).
Along side another famed one came in the form of Cheyyethi Jai Kottu Telugoda by Vemulapalli Sri Krishna in the days of freedom struggle. Over a period, the onslaught of the `Mummy-Daddy culture' has relegated the real Telugu identities to the backstage. New symbols are being sought to project the land and new names are being popped up to lend an identity to it - none of which perhaps would be as enduring as those recalled in this effort. The Department of Culture has taken great pains in envisaging a new tribute - the one that encompasses everything that made what Telugu life, literature and arts what they are now.
All that it needed to do was to tap the potential of Jonnavithula Ramalingeswara Rao for the lyric and ask Nagaraju and D. Srinivas to tune it.
Kala Krishna, Chavali Hemamalini, Peddula Narasinga Rao and Chinta Adinarayana Deekshitula were always there to shape it up. The result of Arja Srikanth's (director of the department) effort is there for us to see now - a magnificent `Nritya Rupakam' of 30 minutes drawing inspiration from the classical and the folk traditionsincluding Perini, Kuchipudi, Kommukoyalu and others.
The programme accompanied by a slideshow begins by calling the land Sakala Kalaamayi an epitome of arts and goes on to justify the title. Recalling the valour of the rulers like Saatavhanas and Kakatiyas, it rolls on to depict religions that flourished here - Jainism, Buddhism, the Saiva and Sri Vaishnavism and also the Islam. The translation of Mahabharata by the `Kavitrayam' - Nannayya, Tikkana and Yerrana, the contribution of Molla and the `Prabandha Sahiti period' of Srikrishnadevaraya in the 16th century.
It rightly points out `andharu oka yettu/ Annamayya oka yettu/ Vela Paatallo vesenu Kondayya gurthu'. Annamayya's `Lord' is further Telugu'ised and transformed into `Kondayya'!
The alluring Kuchipudi's `Aangika' and `Abhinaya' add to the beauty here while paying tribute to Siddhendra Maha Yogi who is `Ilanu Mahabhogi'.
Transcending to the Ramadasu's age and further on to the `Harikatha Pitaamaha' Narayana Dasu and Pothuluri, it recalls the damage done to the social fabric under the British rule - Bobbili Yuddham is not forgotten however, and the heroics of Tandrapapayya are included.
Alluri to Potti Sriramulu and the resilience of Hyderabadis, the depiction ends, but the taste lingers on.
Baalu, Chitra, Mohana Krishna and Shweta sweeten it further by lending their voices. The `Pravaas Bharatis' assembling at Hyderabad in the second week will be the first to feast on the Telugu culture when `Telugu Vaibhavam' conceived, as a song and dance programme gets unveiled at the conference.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
