Epic presentation

Pouranic verse drama ‘Pandava Vijayam’ was well dramatised.

A scene from the mythological drama "Pandav Vavijayamu" staged at Kalabharati auditorium in Visakhapatnam

Mythology forms the light and life of Telugu verse drama known as Padya Natakam. Added to the rich and abiding emotive appeal of mythology, the intrinsic dramatic run in the nature of Telugu metrical verse and commendable histrionic acumen, it simply mesmerises the theatre aficionados. So it was with the play Pandava Vijayam (Triumph of Pandavas) staged at Kalabharati in Visakhapatnam.

The narrative spanned across events in the war at Kurukeshtra in the epic Mahabharata . It opened with the scene where Yudhistara’s soliloquy in his camp on battle field contemplating over how to counter the strategic Chakravyuh that Dronaacharya would ensnare the next day in the battle in the absence of Arjuna, who was on another mission in the war at a distant place.

Yudhistara reluctantly summons young Abhimanyu the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, and tells him of the impending assault by hostile camp. Abhimanyu readily agrees, but Yudhistara’s concern for the warrior son, hesitation to commission him to war in the absence of his father, inevitable need to face the adversary in the battle –all besiege his mind and emotions pour out laying his sensitive heart out. Poems such as ‘

Maakevvariki abhedyamaina ’, ‘

Daggaraleru mamayu tandriyu ’ ‘

Menukun gaggurupatu putte kodukaa ’ rendered in classical ragas and loaded with superb histrionic expressions drew ringing applause.

BA Naidu displayed exceptional theatrical prowess in bringing out the emotional contours of the characters in full measure. Particularly the way he emoted the sense of pathos on hearing the heroic yet tragic demise of Abhimanyu was very poignant. His interaction with Karandaka, the messenger from the battle field found a taut treatment.

Later, Arjuna’s arrival and his outburst in anger at the loss of his warrior son and his subsequent vow to finish off Saindhava before sunsetfor the death of Abhimanyu, fall of grand sire Bhishma, Dronaacharya and Karna on the battle field formed the key points in the narrative. Curtains finally came down with the death of Suyodhana in a fierce fight with Bheema.

In the scenes portraying Arjuna’s emotions, young artiste Bagadi Vijaya Sai sparkled beside veteran BA Naidu. Abiding poetic charms of the verses of redoubtable Tirupati Venkata Kavulu came into full play riveting the audience to seats.

BVA Naidu, Vijaya Saradhi, D. Jaggarao, L. Jogarao and others did well. Artistes of Sri Kala Niketan presented it in its monthly schedule. Ella Apparao on harmonium and Ch Yellarao on clarinet lent good support. Earlier, BA Naidu was warmly felicitated in recognition his exceptional talent.