Sri Venkateswara Natya Mandali
(Surabhi) (Regd. No. 7/62)
ANDHRA PRADESH
Sri Vanarasa Govindarao, Founder of Surabhi Theatres,
had a big family of 3 sons and 10 daughters. Except the eldest son, all the
others spent their lives in the theatre and were trained for it. When the
family started growing in numbers, the daughters with their husbands started
establishing their own theatre groups.
The Fifth daughter, Smt. Subhadramma and her husband
Sri R. Venkatarao established Sir Venkateshwara Natya Mandali (Surabhi) in 1937
in Gividipeta Village of Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh. The wife and
husband were assisted by their children, Dasaradhirao, Bhojaraju, Nageswararao
(Babji), Ganapathi Rao. The theatre group started growing and is now one of the
biggest surviving groups with 55 members. Smt. R. Subhadramma has specialised
in doing male roles, particularly the character like Duryodhana in Mahabharat.
She was awarded the title of 'KALA PRAVEENA’ by Sangeeta Nataka
Akademi of Andhra Pradesh. In addition, both the husband and wife received many
honours from various organisations of the state.
After their death, their sons are now managing the
theatre under the Stewardship of Sri R. Nageswararao (Babji).
This theatre group, which has celebrated its Diamond
Jubilee year, has the fortune of guidance of Sri B.V. Karanth to reform and
assimilate their traditional mould with modern theatre styles. During 1996.
National School of Drama has organised a
production-workshop for one month under Sri B.V.
Karanth, who has chosen the Bengali play "BHISHMA" of Shri
Dwijendralal Roy for adaptation into Telugu and directed the play, which
received tremendous appreciation. In 1997, the organisation
"ALARIPPU" of New Delhi, which is devoted to the welfare of women,
children and handicapped, has chosen this Surabhi group to propagate their
ideas in rural areas of Andhra Pradesh. For this, a traditional play
"CHANDI PRIYA", which emphasised that "women can do what all man
can do and more" was chosen for a production-workshop project, under the
directorship of Sri B.V. Karanth. Similarly," 'Alarippu' organisation has
organised another production-workshop during August, 1998 for which a great
play "THE GOOD WOMEN OF SETZUAN" written by Bertolt Brecht was chosen
to commemorate the centenary of this world famous play write. This play
directed Sri B.V. Karanth, was highly appreciated by public and press. The
notable feature is that Sri B.V. Karanth not only directed these 3 plays for
the group but also provided music for all the 3 plays.
The group consisting of brothers, sisters, their
children and their families, as a close knit group, live together, travel from
place to place to perform on every alternate day in their specially erected
halls, staying at each place ranging from 3 months to one year, depending on
the public response. This mobile theatre repertory group, presents 26 plays,
detailed reverse on any day with a few hours notice. ,
In May-2013, SVNM visited France to participate in the
International Theatre festival-'Passages 2013' in the city Metz. SVNM travelled
with 45 team members and performed 14 showss over the 30 days. The response
from the audience was heart touching. In the 75 years expedition of SVNM, its
the first international tour. This tour helped SVNM to explore different styles
of theatre. SVNM is grateful to Mrs. Neeta Dauhat and Mr. Manvel Dauhat(Director
of Alliance Franchaise, Hyd) for their help in coordinating and leading the
group to successfully complete the tour.
PRESENT ADDRESS:
SRI VENKATESWARA NATYA MANDALI(SURABHI)
SURABHI THEATRE,
PUBLIC GARDENS,
NAMPALLY,
HYDERABAD,
Telangana, INDIA,
If you wish to support Surabhi theatre and let the traditional theatre to survive, please help us
If you wish to support Surabhi theatre and let the traditional theatre to survive, please help us
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