Surabhi (theatre group)

Surabhi (also known as Sri Venkateswara Natya Mandali) is a family theatre group based in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. The group performs plays based on stories from Hindu mythology and the Puranas.[1]

History

Sri Venkateshwara Natya Mandali (Surabhi) (Regd. No. 7/62) ANDHRA PRADESH, Telangana, The Surabhi theatre group was formed by Vanarasa Govinda Rao in 1885 in Surabhi, a village in the Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh. Rao's adopted father was involved with the traditional shadow-puppetry of Andhra Pradesh, Tholu Bommalata.[1][2] After his sudden and unfortunate death, Rao took over the group, gradually replacing the puppets with live actors.[2]

Sri Vanarasa Govindarao, founder of Surabhi Theatres, had a big family of 3 sons and 10 daughters. Except the eldest son, all the others spent their lives in the theatre and were trained for it. When the family started growing in numbers, the daughters with their husbands started establishing their own theatre groups.

The fifth daughter, Smt. Subhadramma and her husband Sri R. Venkatarao established Sri Venkateshwara Natya Mandali (Surabhi) in 1937 in Jimidipeta village of Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh. The wife and husband were assisted by their children Dasaradhirao, Bhojaraju. The theatre group started growing and is now one of the biggest surviving groups with 55 members. Smt. R. Subhadramma has specialised in doing male roles, particularly the character like Duryodhana in Mahabharat. She was awarded the title of 'KALA PRAVEENA’ by Sangeeta Nataka Akademi of Andhra Pradesh. In addition, both the husband and wife received many honors from various organizations of the state. After their death, their sons are now managing the theatre.

This theatre group SRI VENKATESHWARA NATYA MANDALI (Surabhi) celebrated DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS (75 years completed in 2012), Has the fortune of guidance of Padma shri B.V. Karanth to reform and assimilate their traditional mould with modern theatre styles. This organizations learned three plays they are "BHISHMA" (1996), organized by National School of Drama (New Delhi), "CHANDI PRIYA" (1997) by ALARIPPU (New Delhi), ’’BASTHI DEVATHA YAADAMMA’’ ("THE GOOD WOMEN OF SETZUAN" written by Bertolt Brecht)(1998). Padma Sri B.V. Karanth not only directed these 3 plays for the group but also provided music for all three plays.

The group consisting of brothers, sisters, their children and their families, as a close knit group, live together, travel from place to place to perform in their specially erected halls, staying at each place ranging from 3 months to one year, depending on the public response. This mobile theatre repertory group, presents 26 plays, detailed reverse on any day with a few hours notice.

In 1885, Rao was invited to host a live drama at a wedding by the elders of Surabhi. His acting troupe performed the play Keechaka Vadham, traditionally depicted using leather puppets, as a live drama.[1]

The group live together and travel from place to place to perform in specially-erected halls. The group stays at each place for three months to a year, depending on public response. As a repertory group, they present 26 plays.

Achievements

Surabhi theatre sri baji got Padmashri in 2013, Surabhi 6th generation Director Sri R. Jayachandra Varma M.B.A, received Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Purskar Award – 2016 from Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.

  • Participated in NANDIKAR 15th NATIONAL DRAMA FESTIVALS – 1998, Kolkatta
  • Participated in 5 times in BHARAT RANG MAHOTSAV conducted by NSD New Delhi, also the 15th bharat rang mahothsav.
  • Sangeet naatak Akademi Festival of Drama 2012, New Delhi.
  • “AADERANJALI” Theatre festival, B.V. Karanth Smruthi Samaroh, Bharath bhavan, Bhopal – 2014.
  • Shri Keremaner Shambu Hegde “ Rashtriya Natyothsava” -4 and 5 (Two times), Gunavanthe, Karnataka state.
  • BAHURUPI Theatre festival, Mysore -2014.
  • Mudradi theatre festival, Mudradi, Udipi, Karnataka-2014.
  • Passages international theatre festival , at Metz and Paris in France, 02-05-2013 to 31-05-2013.
  • INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, New Delhi and NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA jointly conducted and marked as INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL for a fortnight period along with Exhibition in the same time (Exhibition means the old costumes ,weapons, curtains, instruments used by OUR ANCESTORS i.e., nearly 90 to 100 years back) during the year 2010.
  • Participated in MAHABHARATHA FESTIVAL during 2011 INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, New Delhi .
  • Participated in NATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL jointly conducted by NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA, NEW DELHI and Government of Assam at Tejpur and Gawhati.
  • Participated in NATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL conducted by NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA, NEW DELHI for a period of 15 days (duly erecting our Temporary Theatre by us in New Delhi) as we erect at our camp.
  • Three Dramas each day for three days at EVAM ENTERTAINMENT, Chennai
  • Three Dramas each day for three days at RANGA SHANKARA, Bangalore(Two times participated in BANGALORE in RANGA SHANKARA THEATRE) with three Dramas per day for THREE DAYS

In May 2013, the group played outside India for the first time, with performances at theatre festivals in Paris and Metz.[3][4]

Plays enacted

  • Sri Krishna Leelalu : The Exploits of Little Krishna
  • Jai Pathala Bhairavi : The Story of Folk Legend Thota Ramudu
  • Lavakusa : The Exploits of Twin Prince Lava and Kusa, sons of Srirama
  • Bhakta Prahlada : The Tale of Prahlada, the devoted child
  • Maya Bazar : The Tale of Demon king Ghatothkacha
  • Braham Gari Charitra
  • Bala Nagamma : The Story of a Wicked Sorcerer
  • Chandi Priya

please contact 9912924723 for Surabhi dramas

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bhattacharjee, Sumit (18 October 2008). "Theater is their lifeline". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 Sri Venkateswara Natya Mandali. "About Surabhi". www.surabhitheatre.com. Sri Venkateswara Natya Mandali. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  3. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeeta Devi (18 September 2013). "A family in art surges ahead". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Surabhi to represent India at France theatre fest". 1 May 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
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