Entertaining play

Importance of unswerving commitment to one’s word, even at the cost of clashing with one’s master found appealing dramatic expression in the Puranic play Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddam at Premasamajam auditorium Visakhapatnam. Artistes of Sri Sai Kala Niketan staged it as part of their monthly schedule.

The play opened with a scene where king Yayati on his visit to a hermitage, first greets sage Vasishta and then Viswamitra. The latter feels slighted and curses Yayati. Not heeding to any placatory appeals, Viswamitra asks Lord Rama to behead Yayati. Finding it a perfect opportunity to test the strength of the bond between the Lord and the devotee, sage Narada asks Yayati to seek refuge from Anjaneya . Thus concealing the issue involved, Yayati first seeks refuge and then reveals the threat. Though shell-shocked at having to clash with his Lord, Anjaneya resolves to keeps his word. In ensuing battle, Lord and devotee stand pitched against each other. In the end, the fairies descend and end the battle.

The narrative sought to highlight the importance of keeping one’s commitment. Appealing rendition of lucid verses set to music and good histrionics enhanced its dramatic appeal.

T Sri Ramachandra Murthy as Lord Rama, J Narayana Rao as Anjaneya donned their roles with verve. I S N Murthy, T. Srinivasarao, K Apparao, Srikrishna and Ramajagadeswara Sarma did well. T Radhakrishna Murthy and Bagadi Vijaya Saradhi on harmonium and Vamsikrishna on table lent good support.