A revolutionary saga
A.D. RANGARAJAN
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The retaliation of Manyam tribals, spearheaded by Rama Raju, against the British rule, was vividly captured on stage.
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POIGNANT STAGE Scenes from the soul-stirring play based on freedom struggle.
It was a saga of a brave heart who gave the British sleepless nights. It was the story of a leader who unshackled the chains of slavery and made several tribal hamlets free from bondage. Viplava Jyothi Alluri Seetha Rama Raju, a play performed by the Tirupati-based NTR Natanalayam at Sri Thyagaraja hall on May 7 was on the soul-stirring episode of the British harassment of the innocent `Manyam' tribals and the latter's retaliation in the form of an organised movement spearheaded by Alluri.
There was no high-pitched rhetoric, nor was it an insipid tale, but the close-to-reality narration made it endearing it to the audience.
The drama begins with the depiction of the demonic attack of the British soldiers on the poor tribals, which makes Rama Raju furious. He takes to guerrilla warfare and attacks the Tahsildar and police officials. As the army fails to get him even after a prolonged search operation, it turns the ire and steps up heat against the Manyam residents. With the British collector Rutherford giving an ultimatum that the assault on tribals would be discontinued if Rama Raju surrendered, he decides to give up. But the unsuspecting warrior falls victim to the British bullets. Alluri becomes a martyr at 27, but the movement picks up momentum after his death.
Sufficient care had been taken in preparing the costumes and stage settings, attaching importance to the region and the period (year 1922) of the story.
B. Krishna Naik (Raghuveer), working as the Chief TTI in South Central Railway, neatly portrayed the role of Alluri, besides scripting and directing the play. He is also the founder-secretary of the Natanalayam.
The other characters were performed by B. Mohan Reddy (Rutherford), Velkuri Sankaran (Hayter), D. Vasudeva Rao (Santhanam Pillai), B. Mallikarjun (Gantam Dora), S. Rajamohan Reddy (Mallu Dora) and G.K. Sundaram (Govindu).
A social worker Lakshmi Rajyam, a theatre artist C. Prakash Raju and a journalist V. Hanumantha Rao were felicitated on the occasion.
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