Surabhi (theatre group)

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

History

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 death, Rao took over the group, gradually replacing the puppets with live actors.[2]

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]

Sri Vanarasa Govindarao, founder of Surabhi Theatres, had a 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 and 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 characters like Duryodhana in Mahabharata. 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. Since their death, their sons are now managing the theatre.

Under the guidance of Padma Shri B.V. Karanth, the organization learned three plays: Bhishma (1996), organized by the National School of Drama (New Delhi), Chandi Priya (1997) by Alarippu (New Delhi), and Basthi Devatha Yaadamma ("The Good Women of Setzuan" written by Bertolt Brecht) (1998). B.V. Karanth not only directed these three plays for the group but also provided music for all three plays.

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's Sri Baji was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013.
  • Surabhi's 6th-generation director Sri Surabhi Jayachandra Varma received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Purskar Award in 2016 from Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.

Performances
  • Participated 5 times in Bharat Rang Mahotsav, presented by NSD New Delhi and the 15th Bharat Rang Mahothsav
  • 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)
  • In May 2013, the group played outside India for the first time, with performances at theatre festivals in Paris and Metz.[3][4]
  • Sangeet Naatak Akademi Festival of Drama (2012, New Delhi)
  • Participated in the 2011 Mahabharatha Festival, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi
  • Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi and the National School of Drama jointly presented as International Theatre Festival for a fortnight in 2010
  • Participated in the National Theatre Festival jointly presented by the National School of Drama, New Delhi and the Government of Assam at Tejpur and Gawhati
  • Participated in the National Theatre Festival presented by the National School of Drama, New Delhi for 15 days
  • Three dramas each day for three days at Evam Entertainment, Chennai
  • Three dramas each day for three days at Ranga Shankara, Bangalore
  • Participated in Nandikar 15th National Drama Festival (1998, Kolkatta)

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 for Surabhi Dramas: +919912924723

References
  1. Bhattacharjee, Sumit (18 October 2008). "Theater is their lifeline". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  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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