‘Chintamani’ embroiled in controversy

Police permission hinders the staging of the famous play, which is claimed to have incorporated objectionable dialogues and songs

The famous play ‘Chintamani’, or ‘Chintamani Padya Natakam’ in Telugu, is in the midst of a controversy. Objections are being raised about the dialogues and songs incorporated in the play.

It was reported that the police have stopped giving permission for staging the play, citing law and order problem. “Some dialogues and songs in the play were creating problems triggering violence in villages,” the police said.

However artistes claim that the play has a good message oriented theme, which reflects the turbulence in the life of a woman and explains the fate of the people influenced by bad habits. But some artistes are performing the drama by adding obscene songs and dialogues.

The dialogues have created a bane for genuine artistes with the police refusing to accord permission to stage the play.“While staging the play some people are creating nuisance by adding in lewd dialogues and songs. So, instead of ‘Chintamani’, we request the artists to perform ‘Sri Krishna Tulabaram’, ‘Kanyasulakam’, ‘Satya Harishchandra’ and other plays,” said a police officer.

The play explains how Chintamani, an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Krishna, was pushed into prostitution in an unavoidable situation and narrates her sufferings. The play revolves around a scholarly person from a reputed family, who loses his family members and property and spoils his life after getting addicted to bad habits. The play highlights the need to put an end to the dasi system in the society.

“‘Chintamani’ is a good play and many people like it even today. Many artist troupes depend exclusively on staging ‘Chintamani’ to earn a livelihood. There is a need to protect the originality of the famous play,” said a performing artist.