Hyderabad: The dance theatre production on the life of one of India’s greatest freedom fighters, Alluri Sitaramaraju, ‘Manyam Veerudu - Alluri Sitaramaraju’ choreographed by Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant, was premiered on Sunday at Ravindra Bharati. The production, a tribute to the man who dared the British, was presented by the Union ministry of culture, and Shankarananda Kalakshetra.
‘Manyam Veerudu – Alluri Sitaramaraju’ brought alive his extraordinary bravery, inspiring life and incomparable love for the country, and it could be said that Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant, classical dancer and Padma Shri awardee, has captured this unique life story.
“I am a Tamilian by birth but a Telugu by soul. Many of my choreographies have been inspired by Telugu Vaggeyakaras like Thyagaraja, Bhakta Ramadas, Annamayya, as well as modern poets like Devullapalli Krishna Sastri, Rayaprolu Subba Rao, Venkata Parvateesam Kavulu etc. Our latest production offers our salutations to one of our and India’s great freedom fighters,” she said.
The cast of 21 dancers of the Shankarananda Kalakshetra, along with guest artists Mithun Shyam, and Surender Nath and young dancers from Hyderabad and Bengaluru were part of the troupe.
“Such dance productions are needed today to bring the stories of our freedom fighters for our youth. A beautiful way to bring history alive, I wish history is taught like this,” said a young member of the audience.
The music was by Sweta Prasad and I.V. Renukaprasad, set to the Telugu poetry of Venkat Gadepalli, along with an English narration by Jayant Dwarkanath, lights by Surya Rao and digital design by Gunjan Ashtaputre.
Bengaluru-based Bharatanatyam dancer Mithun Shyam as Alluri Sitaramaraju and Kuchipudi dancer Surender Nath as the British captain lived their roles.
‘Manyam Veerudu – Alluri Sitaramaraju’ must be seen across schools and colleges, said guests Dr Mammidi Harikrishna and Ramaa Bharadwaj.
