Sramanakam - A Telugu Stage Drama

The author of this play is a certain Nandamuri Lakshmi Parvathi. Sometimes you think of what might have been.

On the occasion of its 29th anniversary, Kinnera Art Theatres is organising 29 days of Telugu stage dramas from different parts of the state, at Sri Thyagaraya Gana Sabha, from 9th November to 7th December. As part of the 16th day of celebrations, Sramanakam is being staged today.

The play was written by Dr Nandamuri Lakshmi Parvathi, and is about Lord Buddha, which deals with an argument about the status of women during that period. A women's group named Mandari was formed in this period to protect women from male chauvinism. While talking about the issue and other problems like animal sacrifice and other meaningless rituals, the play presents Gautam Buddha at the time when he leaves his palace in search of truth.

Another king, Nanda, too, follows him. This happens at a time when enemies were planning to occupy Nanda's kingdom. Sundari, Nanda's wife, inspired by Buddha's teachings, fights the enemies and restores the royalty. That was when Sundari prevailed upon the Buddha to permit housewives to embrace Buddhism and observe austerities, a practice called Sramanakam.

The play is directed by Y K Nageshwar Rao and is being presented in the form of a drama by Yuvakalavahini of Hyderabad.

Kinnera Art Theatres was started in 1977, and has since organised various programs - musical nites, classical dances and vocals, felicitations, and releases of books. It has served as a platform for many upcoming artistes and at the same time provided the necessary recognition and appreciation for established ones. Dr R Prabhakar Rao, IPS, is the chairman of the association, while M Raghuram is its dedicated secretary.

Please contact M Raghuram of Kinnera Art Theatres at 98660-57777 for further details.