‘Do not get born in a country where intellect goes kaput and where education turns into commerce’. Before its arrival at such a hard premise, the playlet Kokkuro Ko – crow of the rooster – for about 50 minutes explores our social conundrum in contemporary times. Penned by renowned playwright and Telugu cine personality Tanikella Bharani about three and half decades ago, it remains relevant even today. “It was not about unemployment,” said Bharani, who attended the performance, “but an articulation of heartburn and lament at the appalling inattention to intellect on home turf that paves the way for brain drain or misguidance to path of extremism.”
Portraying emotional disquiet at paucity of proper recognition of talent and intellect in society is not new to Telugu theatre, a good number of playwrights have remarkably dealt with it. But redoubtable Bharani’s take remains distinct in its own way. It is not a plot of a family or an episode in a linear sequence. It is not framed in a particular time sequence nor is a chronicle of events. It is a collage, a detour that two educated youth take the viewer to show scenes of their experience where their talent goes kaput.
The intense narration with an eye for subtle details makes the playlet exceptional. It opens with two educated youth Jogi and Yogi going in search of a suitable opening job in vain and went on to unfold their encounters with harsh realities in society. Corruption, political chicanery, utopian dreams in romanticism, camaraderie and conflict – all tend to form various strands of the canvas.
It is not without Bharani’s subtle trade mark humour that stealthily meanders beneath the surface. The adoption of suggestive articulation a la street play both in emotion and situation of scene deepened its emotive element intensifying its appeal.
Every genuine effort of Jogi and Yogi goes in vain. The frustrated duo even attempt to become gigolos and that sees them cool their heels in lock up where the inspector abuses the duo.
Finally the disheartened Jogi strangulates Yogi to death as he forcibly tries to stop the former form going to the path of extremism. With its taut treatment and presentation of its point, the playlet does not offer a solution to the issue, but serves as the clarion wakeup call by the crowing rooster to ponder over ways to alter the situation for the better.
Artistes of Hyderbad-based Mitra Creations Surabhi Santhosh and Surabhi S. V. Raghavendra Rao gave sterling performance as Jogi and Yogi and S. M Bhasha directed it well. Ranga Sai Nataka Samajam hosted it at Kalabharati Visakhapatnam.
