HYDERABAD: Janapadam Theatre Repertory, which has been promoting contemporary Telugu theatre for over four decades, is presenting its latest production, Mandhatha Charitra. The play will be performed in collaboration with the department of culture, the government of Telangana, on Thursday at the Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University Auditorium in Hyderabad.
This play explores themes of destiny and gender equality. Written by Chervirala Bagaiah, the production is presented in traditional Chindu Yakshaganam style and incorporates contemporary interpretations, blending age-old performance traditions with a modern outlook. The play is directed by theatre personalities Guru Chindula Shyam and Guru Srinivas Denchanala.
Srinivas Denchanala, who has steered the Repertory since its inception, is celebrated for his extensive contributions to Telugu theatre. Over the years, he has written, adapted and directed more than 65 plays, performing across rural, tribal and urban regions in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. His efforts to integrate literary and personality development workshops into theatre have reached thousands of students, farmers and marginalised communities. A nominee for Padma Shri and the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2024, Denchanala has also been honoured with the Telugu University Prathibha Puraskaram and the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi junior fellowship.
The evening will also feature a gathering of literary and cultural figures, preceding the play’s performance. Dr Ambati Surendra Raju, President of Janapadam and a well-regarded literary critic, will supervise the session. The event will be presided over by Dr Mamidi Harikrishna, director of the department of culture, with former Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University vice-chancellor Shri Thangeda Kishan Rao as the chief guest.
