Trailblazing Telugu Theatre

When a seven-year-old boy was called on stage to fill up the role of a child artiste in Lankal village of Mahbubnagar District of Telangana State, little did he know that one day, he would become the Head of Theatre Arts in Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad. 

Dr Kotla Hanumantha Rao has come a long way since his childhood days when cricket was his only passion. On September 28th, he will be directing the first trilogy in the history of Telugu theatre, titled Prathapa Rudrama, which traces the reign of the Kakatiya dynasty.

“I was studying commerce when a notification came about admissions to Theatre Arts in Telugu University. Right from childhood, I used to actively participate in the Balanandam programmes of All India Radio, so I decided to learn acting. At the University, I was guided and inspired by Dr Vinod Bala and Dasika Ramu and in 1998, I completed my Masters,” recalls Hanumantha Rao. 

Adding, “I immediately got an opportunity to teach at the University on a contract basis. But I was keen to act in movies and television serials. Finally, I got an opportunity to do a character role in Prabhas-starrer Eeshwar, but I felt uncomfortable in the industry and felt that there was very little freedom to bring out my natural acting talent. I refused future film offers and started working for FM radio channels and also directed a few television serials.”

In 2006, Hanumantha Rao got an ‘A plus’ grade in an All India selection process for a radio jockey job. And within a span of twenty four hours, he also got a confirmation from the University about a permanent appointment as faculty in the Theatre Arts department. After discussion with his family members, the choice was obvious. 

“Everyone was unanimous about a Government job bringing stability in life. I started working on my passion and have till date presented plays all over India. I went on to win the prestigious Nandi State Award in 2001,” shares Hanumantha Rao. 

Talking about the upcoming trilogy performance, he explains that the collaborative effort includes the research of Professor Hymavathi from Kakatiya University, script writing by N.S. Narayanababu and choreography by Dr Anita Rao, all of which has taken nearly a year. 

“The Wada trilogy in Marathi language by Mahesh Elkunchwar has been the only trilogy in the history of Indian theatre. Now, we are following suit and will be the only one in Telugu theatre to plan and perform a trilogy,”says Hanumantha Rao, who visited Sweden and Norway to understand the theatre scenario there. 

“It’s very important that sufficient financial support is provided to people interested in theatre. The infrastructure also needs to be improved. It’s not about artistes going abroad and performing. The Government of India must facilitate a team of artistes from various disciplines like music, dance, drama and literature for study tours abroad at regular intervals. At the end of the day, all arts are inter-disciplinary. We need to understand the culture and history of theatre in other countries and also why people abroad watch plays like we watch movies in India,” says Hanumantha Rao as he signs off.