Telugu theatre is in clutches of parishads

Vijayawada: "Drama has power to drag the audience to the auditorium if the artistes produce innovative creations for the entertainment and thought provoking to all the section of public," said Ramakoteswara Rao, an exponent of theatre.

Ramakoteswara Rao is a theatre artist, director having knowledge on old and contemporary dramas and moreover he acts as a bridge between the parishad organisers and drama production houses at present.

Devireddy Rama Koteswara Rao born in Purushottampatnam, Guntur district to Narasimha Rao and Tulasamma. He was graduated both in commerce and also in arts. He worked for Bank of India and took voluntary retirement.

Ramakoteswara Rao was attracted by theatre in 1965 and moulded himself as Gopi in the play "Palle paduchu". Since then he acted in number of plays like Chivaraku migiledi, Panja, Dari tappina Aakali, Manushulostunnaru Jagratta, Vandanote, Navvandi idi Vishadham, Poojaku velayera, Jarugutunna Cheritra, Tarjani and Game. He also directed many playlets among the above dramas.

Rao expressed his opinion on modern drama that some theatre groups are presenting gymnastics in the name of modern drama now a days but it is not correct. Such drams are does not having soul to connect to the audience. Referring to experimental dramas, he said that yesteryears' plays Taji, Kukka, Rajeevam, Sandhya chaya, La okkintayu ledu, Maro mohonjadaro some of the experimental dramas and presently no experimental drama was staged.

He complemented YS Krishneswara Rao for presenting an experiment on theatre with a new concept 'story telling', which is an experiment in Telugu Theatre. Similarly noted stage and film actor Jayaprakash Reddy also did one man show. He felt these are the innovative and experimental plays in Telugu at present

"Family dramas, comedy plays and crime with suspense plays will pull the crowds to the theatre but such plays are not penned by the writers as present Telugu theatre is in the clutches of Parishads. Rao also said, "We are viewing the same old melodrama, very thin line subjects in present dramas to win the prizes."

Ramakoteswara Rao had rendered services as scrutiny judge, judge and coordinator for about 100 parishads like Nandi Nataka Parishad, Paruchuri Raghubabu Memorial Nataka Parishad, Kaksteya Nataka Parishad, Srikaram-Rotary Kala Parishad. He was titled as "Nataka Mitra' by Muralikrishna Kala Nilayam, Nizamabad for his best services to the Telugu Theatre.

Ramakoteswara Rao said without the cooperation of his wife Vijayakumari, he could not be achieved this in the drama field and serve the theatre. While concluding the chat, Ram Koteswara Rao said the he is promoting Natakosthavas and audience clubs for good and best innovative production in Telugu drama.