Highlighting the flaws of Indian marriages

On the second day of the three-day playlet competition of Andhra Nataka Kala Samithi, three playlets were staged at Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao Government Music and Dance College. The social playlets staged on Monday included ‘Saikata Shilpam’, ‘Lifeline’ and ‘Akshaya’.

Though the subject of ‘Saikata Shilpam’ and ‘Lifeline’ looks similar, they are presented in a different manner by the directors.Kalaaradhana of Nandyal presented ‘Saikata Shilpam’ playlet. Writer S Venkateswara Rao, in his playlet, compares the Indian marriage system with a sand sculpture. A sand sculpture on the seashore looks pretty attractive till a high wave washes it away.

Similarly, the Indian marriage system looks fine from the angle of society. But it is like a glass room. A small stone is enough to break it. The playlet focuses on the domestic unrest due to small and minor differences of opinion and misunderstandings between a husband and wife, which will ultimately destroy the family life. Director Ravikrishna presented the social subject in a neat manner.

‘Lifeline’ playlet was staged by Sirimuvva Culturals of Hyderabad. The subject of the playlet is also the Indian marriage system. But it highlights the adverse influence of the Western culture on the traditional Indian families.

The playlet conveys a message to couples that if a wife and husband have family disputes due to differences of opinion, they should sort out the issues amicably without going to the extent of taking a divorce keeping in view the larger interests of their children.

One should not ape the western culture blindly in the name of modernity. If a husband and wife fail to iron out the differences between them at the initial stages itself, it will ultimately ruin their lives' is what `Lifeline’ of Ravinutala Premakishore, which is directed by M Bhajarappa, conveys to couples.

United Forum of Rural Artistes of Venigalla presented ‘Akshaya’ playlet, which is written and directed by A Narsireddy. The director highlighted the significance of a woman in society who deserves due respect. ‘Discrimination against women is an evil, which needs to be eradicated for the growth of society’ is the message disseminated by the director through his playlet.

By HVRS Prasad