Man is a bundle of emotions and at times it seems a compound of contradictions. Nowhere, perhaps, does this contrast come out more than in a conflict between self-interest and a sense of sacrifice. It needs nerves of steel to stand the emotional challenges particularly in case of loved ones, while losing something dear makes one stoop down to abysmal depths of rude and indecorous conduct. This formed the nucleus for an attention-grabbing social play Lavalo Erra Gulabi — ‘a red rose in lava’ — which evoked good response at Kalabharati Visakhapatnam recently. Penned by renowned Gollapudi Maruthi Rao about four and half decades ago, the narrative seeks to explore human psyche in diverse situations giving the audience some thought-provoking moments, which the actors remarkably presented. Though the emotional contours of the characters are of highly demanding nature, the team essayed well to lend an appealing expression.
The focus of emotional conflict remains riveted on Geetha, a lady of head and heart, whose selfless spirit of love and camaraderie spreads beyond the bounds of formal relationships. It, in a way, puts her through a trial of emotional anguish. It, on one hand, leads to rejuvenation of dampened spirits of Madhu who is terminally ill, and on the other makes her paralytic companion Sekhar irrational in his otherwise genial disposition towards her, as Manjula, a self-centred neighbour sows the bitter seeds of suspicion in his mind. Thus while selfless nature of one kindles hope of life, an I-me-myself attitude of another upsets another’s life. In a well-knit plot, playwright Gollapudi Maruthi Rao sought to weave a drama highlighting the influence of intense emotions in life that would render even a tough-willed person vulnerable and vice versa.
With K Vidyasagar, who is paralytic in real life, donning the role of paralytic Sekhar, the performance has explored its potential in full measure. Somisetty Amritavarshini portrayed the protagonist Geetha lending finer shades of expression to the mind of a lady of sturdy resolve. Surabhi Santhosh excelled in exposition of the down-in-the-dumps youngster, while Dr Anandarao and Lahari Gudivada provided comic relief.
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Artistes of Hyderabad-based Amrita Lahari Arts presented it under the aegis of Visakha Music and Dance Academy.