A social play Daata Neeku Dandam (Salute to you, philanthropist) staged at Kalabharati Visakhapatnam evoked mixed response. Artistes of Tulluru Kalaparishad Madhu Theatre Arts enacted the play under the aegis of Visakha Music and Dance Academy.
Set against the backdrop of a destitute couple who eke out their living by begging on the street, the narrative essayed to explore the travails of pavement dwellers and the hardship they need to come to terms with, in a hopeless and helpless existence in the city.
The play opens with a scene of public park, where Babu was seen counting his income for the day, when another beggar Sita comes running, chased by a psycho. Seeing Babu, the psycho retreats. The two gradually get to know each other and get married.
Their otherwise routine life takes a terrible turn as the psycho attacks Sita and when Babu resists the attack, he gets badly mutilated. A philanthropist notices their plight and takes them to hospital where Sita breathes her last after delivering a baby boy.
Thereafter Babu brings up the child Gopi teaching him to beg but the latter wants to lead a better life. After some twists and turns, the philanthropist chances to see Babu and comes forward to help by taking over the custody of Gopi and give him education and a better life.
The run-of-the-mill narrative ran deficient on coherence in treatment and slapdash performance thus denting its emotive appeal. The dialogues failed to match the mood of the scenes. A few more rehearsals would have made the entire presentation better.
M Madhu who scripted and directed the play, donned the lead role of Babu. Rajani Srikala as Sita sparkled in parts. Rahul, Narayana, S Bhoopathi and M Vidhyadhar took part. Sarma, SK Babu, P Bhujangarao and Nagu lent technical support.
