Armed with his filmmaking experience in the USA, Father U. Balashowry, director of Amruthavani Communication Centre, presented a theatrical magnum opus The Mother in Telugu on the life of Mother Teresa at the Shilpakala Vedika on December 9the first ever Telugu play on the life of the Mother.
To depict the life story of such a renowned personality needs lots of research and meticulous presentation and the group did an excellent job of portraying the life of the Mother. Barring a few technical flaws and audio hiccups , the play was a treat to watch despite its length. The aspiration of an young Yugoslavian girl to step into the world of service by joining a convent as a Nun in Kolkata and then setting up her own missionaries for the poor was well depicted in the play. The constant struggle the Mother faced and how she overcame all obstacles with her devotion to service to humanity teaches us not to despair in face of setbacks and work harder to achieve one’s goals. Telugu film actor Sreeja Sadineni played the role of Mother with the dignity the character required and with flawless diction and action. Most of the artistes were drawn either from the film industry or TV fraternity, and each of them played their roles with sincerity and ease. The producer had roped in the best of technicians from the industry. Novelist and film writer Akella Suryanarayana penned the script along with Nandi award Winner B.M. Reddy.
The lyrics for the play were penned by Suddala Ashok Teja and songs were sung by playback singers M.L.R. Karthikeyan and Sadhana Sargam. Music was composed by Anup Reubens. Costumes were designed by Kalyani, a well known designer of the film industry.
A special mention on the huge settings. Shymon Chelad, director of the Attakkalari centre for movement arts, Bangalore designed the sets and lightings for the play. On one side while depicting a story on the life of a renowned personality, equal care was taken to show the important places the Mother travelled. The Railway station set and the loco engine with wagons chugging onto the stage earned thunderous applause. The shadow image set of the ICU room while Mother is being treated at the hospital and the use of lights was also very tastefully done. The packed auditorium showed its happiness with a standing ovation to the entire crew and cast of the play. Prior to the play, Most Rev. Thumma Bala , Archbishop of Hyderabad and the Chairman of Amruthavani spoke on the services of the Mother and how one should follow her footsteps .
