Dancers from Shankarananda Kalakshetra, infuse the ‘Manyam Veerudu – Alluri Sitaramaraju’ dance production that thrilled and inspired!

The dance theatre production on India’s greatest freedom fighters Alluri Sitaramaraju, ‘Manyam Veerudu – Alluri Sitaramaraju’ choreographed by Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant, was premiered today at Ravindra Bharati. The dance theatre production paying tributes to the man who dared the British, was presented by the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India and Shankarananda Kalakshetra, under the Ministry’s scheme ‘Centenary and Anniversary celebrations’.

‘Manyam Veerudu – Alluri Sitaramaraju’, was a dance theatre production that brought alive the extraordinary bravery, inspiring life and incomparable love for Bharatamata, of one of India’s revered freedom fighters Alluri Sitaramaraju. The celebrated classical dancer, scholar, speaker, writer and nationally awarded artiste, Padmashri Ananda Shankar Jayant’s vision and direction captured this unique life story of one of our greatest freedom fighters, in a scintillating dance theatre production.

Ananda says ‘I am a Tamilian by birth but a Telugu by soul! Many are my choreographies that have been inspired by Telugu Vaggeyakaras – Thyagaraja, Bhakta Ramadas, Annamayya, as well as modern poets – Devullapalli Krishna Sastri, Rayaprolu Subba Rao, Venkata Parvateesam Kavulu etc. Our latest production offers our salutations to one of our own and India’s great freedom fighters.’

The large cast of 21 dancers of the Shankarananda Kalakshetra ensemble, along with guest artists Mithun Shyam, Surender Nath and young dancers from Hyderabad and Bangalore, brought alive the rousing patriotism of Sitaramaraju in a scintillating dance production

Infused with exquisite choreography combined with martial arts and thrilling fight scenes alongside grace charm and emotions, the thrilling production left the full house audience inspired, who gave long standing ovations at the end of the crisp 45-minute performance.

‘Such dance productions are what is needed today to bring the stories of our many freedom fighters to our youth’, ‘Beautiful way to bring history alive’, ‘I wish history was taught like this’ said some of the many young people in the audience.

The choreography by renowned dancer Padmashri Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant, was unique and raised the envelope on visual presentation on so many levels. The rousing musical soundscape by Sweta Prasad and IV Renukaprasad, set to the Telugu poetry by Venkat Gadepalli, along with stirring English narration by Jayant Dwarkanath, lights by Surya Rao and digital design by Gunjan Ashtaputre all added to a brilliant and spectacular program.

Bharatanatyam dancer from Bangalore – Mithun Shyam, as Alluri Sitaramaraju and Kuchipudi dancer Surender Nath as the British captain lived their roles impeccably as did the young ensemble cast who created a memorable program.

‘Manyam Veerudu – Alluri Sitaramaraju’, is a program that must be seen across schools and colleges said the guests Dr Mammidi Harikrishna, Smt Ramaa Bharadvaj and others.