An Evening Of Poems & Padyas With Gummadi Gopalakrishna

Saahiti, the literary wing of Saptaparini, is organising an evening of poems called Mana Padyalu by Gummadi Gopalakrishna, on 27th October, at Saptaparini on Road No. 8, Banjara Hills.

There is an age-old tradition in Andhra Pradesh of setting poems to tune and singing them to express various emotions and events - an art which was utilised very effectively in all the classic Telugu films. This evening will have an introduction to this unique feature of Telugu literature and cultural life, and is dedicated to the great poet Pothana.

Gummadi Gopalakrishna is a renowned artist of mythology dramas, and has performed in more than 2,000 padya natakas. Hailing from Meduru in Krishna district, Gopalakrishna had a special liking for padyanatakas since his childhood. He used to take part in school plays regularly. He was awarded the title of Gana Gandharva for his ease in delivering the padyams of mythology dramas.

Sri Krishna Rayabaram, Srinadhudu, Nandamuri Ramayanam, Gayopakhyanam and Satya Harischandra are some of his landmark plays, and he is well-known for enacting the role of Lord Krishna. He was recently invited by TANA (Telugu Association Of North America) to participate in its annual conference.

Saahiti is a forum for the exploration of the ethos and the idiom of Telugu and Sanskrit literature and music. It has been conducting bi-monthly programmes since June 2005. Please contact 6666-7707/6682-1789 for further details.