Parody that links gambling in Mahabharata with bifurcation

Rajahmundry: A parody was organised at Gokavaram Bus Stand here on Friday by linking the gambling scene of the epic Mahabharat with bifurcation of the State enthralled the audience. City secretary of YSR Congress Party Polu Kiran Reddy, who has been on a fast-unto-death for the last three days in front of Ambedkar statue, organised the show with folk artistes from Satellite City. The script was given by woman journalist B Padmaja. The 12-member troupe was led by Vibhoothi Babu Rao.

All the artistes, in drama outfit and make-up, sat in front of traditional gambling chart with magical dice under a specially set up make-shift tent and began the show. The artistes wore masks of 12 prominent political leaders and hung placards around their necks to tell the people what character they were playing.

The characters were: Dharmaraja (Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy), Arjuna (Chiranjeevi), Bheema (Lagadapati Rajagopal), Nakula (Byreddy Rajasekhara Reddy), Sahadev (TG Venkatesh) and Bhishma (Botcha Satyanarayana). On the other side were Duryodhana (KCR), Dussasana (Ponnam Prabhakar), Sakuni (Kodandaram), Karna (Harish Rao), Dhrutarastra (Digvijay Singh), Gandhari (Sonia Gandhi). Draupadi (Telugu Talli).

As the play progressed, ‘Dharmaraja’ started betting one district after another from Srikakulam to Kurnool and loses most of the areas. ‘Sakuni’ instigates ‘Duryodhana’ and advises ‘Dharmaraja’ to bet Hyderabad also. ‘Duryodhana’ was not willing to part with land that could accommodate even a pin. ‘Bheema’ issues long statements in the melee. ‘Arjuna’ bows in front of ‘Dhrutarastra’ and ‘Gandhari’.

The play ends with ‘Dharmaraja’ and other ‘Pandavas’ betting ‘Telugu Talli’ as a last resort to win the game. But they lose. She cries for help similar to how Draupadi did in the epic Mahabharata.