Women take centre-stage

Bhoomika – Centre Staging Women is not a mere symbolic gesture but to show that Telangana theatre has abundance of talent to justify the occasion. This innovative step would be a first such attempt in the theatre of Telugu states. The themes and subjects are not limited to women issues but cover myriad aspects of life seen from the keen eye of their directors.

The festival started yesterday with the play ‘Anveshana’ presented by Nishumbita, written by Naahushi Kavuri, the play was conceptualised and directed by Sowmya Ram Holagund.Sowmya is a professionally qualified communications specialist, with an overwhelming passion for theatre arts. She has spent significant years as a writer, teacher, trainer, actor and director. She is actively facilitating “Nishumbita Ballet and Theatre Group”, as an actor and trainer.

The play ‘Anveshana’ showed the fact that ‘Nation’s security remains in the hands of those who have the authority to track the crime, catch the criminal and stop the crime’. What if this security system is over powered by the brains of one single brutal murderer till the time comes when another more brilliant brain comes in to surpass the system, surpass the criminal and end the crime.

This was presented on the lines of a suspense thriller, this play is inspired from ‘Movement Theatre’. Where the actors use physical methods, weight and space to communicate character and the story.The second film ‘Mooriya’ will be staged today at 6 pm. This is presented by Toshinipriya Arts and this is the original play of John Milington Singe (Riders to the sea) translated by Shiva laxmi, the play was adapted and directed by Dr Bh Padmapriya.

Dr Padmapriya is an assistant professor in the theatre department of Potti Sreermulu Telugu University and also held the head chair in the department. ‘Mooriya’ is a story of an old women with six male children and two female children. Their family lives by hunting on the sea. Mooriya’s father- in- law, husband and the sons died in the sea. The life of Mooriya becomes miserable but she didn’t lose her spirit and with her two daughters challenges the God and starts a new life.

Today NSD Hyderabad presents ‘Aadadi’ at 7 pm conceptualised and written by Dr Rammohan Holagundi, directed by Swathi Aadad.Working as a software professional and pursuing theatre arts in parallel. Associated with Nishumbita Ballet and Theatre group in Hyderabad for the last eight years and acted in street plays, stage plays which include physical theatre and monologues primarily in Telugu and English.

The play talks about feminism. The definition of feminism defines it is the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of equality of the sexes. Another play ‘Chitra Naleeyam’ will be staged on March 7 at 6 pm presented by Youwabheri Theatre Organisation. Base play was ‘Andhra Nataka Pithamaha’ Dharmavarapu Rama Krishnamacharyulu and modern play adaptation was done by YS Krishneshvara Rao and NS Narayana Babu, directed by R Sunayana Jayashree.

Jayasri is a well-known theatre practitioner with a post graduate degree in performing arts and journalism. She has won the state level top accolade – the Nandi award and also several national level recognitions. The account of King Nala and Damayanti comes as a sub-story under the title “Nalopaakhyaanam”, in the Aranya Parva of Mahabharatha written by Nannaya. The culture and customs of the time, the essential bonds and rules governing marriage and other social roles, the effect of immoral thoughts and acts on persons living in the times of strict moral codes is portrayed in this story.

On the same day Kathanika presents ‘Purushasooktam’ at 7.30 pm written by Jhansi and KP Vathyam, directed by Jhansi.Jhansi Laxmi is a professional and character actor. She has donned many a roles in Telugu film industry as an actor, besides being a television anchor and director. ‘Purushasooktam’ is a play which looks into these deep emotional core issues. It explores masculinity and learnt gender roles.