Before the advent of the information and communication technologies, the ‘dandora,’ a traditional form of tom-tom, was considered a popular mode of conveying messages to large groups of people.
Recreating a similar scene at the Clock Tower in Chandragiri mandal here on Saturday, Chittoor MP N. Sivaprasad donned the role of the person performing ‘dandora’ to propagate the Centre’s alleged injustice to the State.
‘Unfair treatment’
Accompanied by the TDP cadres, Dr. Sivaprasad said the Central government’s treatment of Andhra Pradesh and its Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was “wrong and unfair.”
“The BJP had convinced us that it would fulfil the promises made at the time of bifurcation of the State. However, even after four years, the promises have remained dormant, putting the State’s development on the back burner. This negligent attitude has left Mr. Naidu helpless and cast a gloom on the future of Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
Dr. Sivaprasad said actions such as stopping of funds and reluctance to accord Special Category Status (SCS) was uncalled for. He claimed that Mr. Naidu’s presence as a senior leader (linking it probable to the creation of the third front) was perceived as a threat to the Centre.
“There is no ‘Modi wave’ now, as people have realised the BJP’s potential of creating trouble, and it will reflect in the next elections,” he said.
On the route map of ‘dandora,’ Dr. Sivaprasad said they would tour the other mandals in the district and mobilise people’s support in their fight for getting the rightful dues of Andhra Pradesh.
Lasting impact
Since the Samaikhyandhra movement, Dr. Sivaprasad has been donning several roles to highlight issues of importance and drive home the point.
“Being an actor, Dr. Sivaprasad believes that visual representation will have a lasting impact on the minds of the people. When he first mooted the idea of staging a novel protest, all his family members supported and pitched in with their contributions. When he lashed himself (as a normal citizen) with a whip at Parliament urging the the Central government not to divide Andhra Pradesh, everyone noticed the act and made them think of the situation. Though he was slightly injured, the response prompted him to embark on the tradition of explaining the prevailing issues in an easy and perceptive manner to the people, as well as those intended for it,” said P. Narasimha Prasad, son-in-law of Dr. Sivaprasad, who also runs a cine service – Make My Film.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Prasad said that depending on the concept, the family members pitch in with their contributions such as music, costumes, props, and dialogues.
Some of his roles included Lord Krishna, snake charmer, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, N.T. Rama Rao (in saffron robes), old lady, farmer, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
